On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

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I will be reading this book and will be following up with the others in the trilogy written by his son.

I read this a long time ago and have read many of his son's books, although not any of his Civil War trilogy. Maybe I should correct this.

I was stunned how compelling this is. With no spoilers, here's my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm in for this one. I'll be starting around the second week in July when I finish a different group read.

This book helped me survive a weeklong beach trip with extended family many years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it. An immersive, shut-out-the-rest-of-the-world read that is perfect for people who don’t really read war books (myself) and for everybody else who does. I recently replaced my frayed original paperback with a pristine hardback copy for my IRL favorites bookshelf. Highly recommend this one to everyone in the group and will try to join in for a reread.

Putting my name on list at library

I loved this one too, but don't think I will reread it this month. My husband won't read it because it's "fiction" and he prefers non-fiction, historical accounts. However, I read once in an interview that Shaara only had his historical characters say things that had been documented by others or appeared in their own diaries and letters and writings. He made nothing up. That's about as close to historical as you can get.

Diane wrote: "I loved this one too, but don't think I will reread it this month. My husband won't read it because it's "fiction" and he prefers non-fiction, historical accounts. However, I read once in an interv..."

Some novelists more than others take liberties with the historical record when writing about real people and real events, which is their prerogative, but, as you indicate, Shaara was not one of those.

Yes, it is fiction, but it deviates very little from the known historical facts.

Diane wrote: "I loved this one too, but don't think I will reread it this month. My husband won't read it because it's "fiction" and he prefers non-fiction, historical accounts. However, I read once in an interv..."

I understand your husband's feeling, but if he likes military history, I would tell him to give this a shot. Today this would probably be characterized as narrative nonfiction, and as such would have the same inaccuracies and the bias of any author but overall Michael Shaara captures an essence of the battle through his narrative that increases the reader's understanding of the whole in perspective especially when accompanying the read with material by regarded authors like Foote or Catton. I haven't read any recent histories of the battle to compare but there has been a trend in recent military history to use an approach like Shaara's. Note Rick Atkinson's recent WWII trilogy or his latest on the American Revolution.

Diane wrote: "I loved this one too, but don't think I will reread it this month. My husband won't read it because it's "fiction" and he prefers non-fiction, historical accounts. However, I read once in an interv..."

I just finished Warlock, by Oakley Hall and in his introduction, he said that "The pursuit of truth, not of facts, is the business of fiction.' Although Warlock is a fictional story about a fictional town in a fictional state, it offers up more truth and insight into the events that happened in Tombstone, Arizona, than did any of the hundreds of so-called True accounts of events. Truth is not always a synonym of facts.

Tell your husband to exercise some of the same wisdom he showed when he picked you and give Shaara a try.

Sam wrote: "Today this would probably be characterized as narrative nonfiction, and as such would have the same inaccuracies and the bias of any author but overall Michael Shaara captures an essence of the battle through his narrative that increases the reader's understanding of the whole in perspective especially when accompanying the read with material by regarded authors like Foote or Catton.."

I would compare KA to Shelby Foote's Shiloh. Both are novels written by skilled historians and both strive to engage the readers and make them witnesses to what occurred. Chamberlain's defense of Little Round Top is one of the most thrilling events in U.S History and Shaara puts you in the middle of it. It's almost like Cronkite's old "You are there" show.

Rick Atkinson refers to his books as narrative history. I don't believe that he thinks of them as fiction.

Tom wrote: "Rick Atkinson refers to his books as narrative history. I don't believe that he thinks of them as fiction..."

Agree 100% Tom and didn't mean to suggest that. What I meant to suggest was that books like Killer Angels, In Cold Blood, etc. had an impact on publishers paving the way for narrative histories and other nonfiction. Some may not find that a good thing but I think it has made for some very entertaining books.

On this reread, I have been paying more heed to the novel as literature, especially the way Shaara uses sentence fragments in the various points of view to impressionistically give us the picture of the whole. I think the style works wonderfully.

For those readers who have not yet decided on a format, the printed book has lots of illustrated maps which I am finding very helpful.

I’m on library waitlist 🤞🏼

Diane wrote: "I loved this one too, but don't think I will reread it this month. My husband won't read it because it's "fiction" and he prefers non-fiction, historical accounts. However, I read once in an interv..."

Diane, please recommend this one to your husband -- The Class of 1846: From West Point to Appomattox: Stonewall Jackson, George McClellan, and Their Brothers. I'd be really curious to see if it's one he'd be interested in. Also, do you know if he's read any James McPherson? That man is a powerhouse of CW studies! His wife works a lot with him on the research, and I think that's absolutely precious. ♥

Terry wrote: "For those readers who have not yet decided on a format, the printed book has lots of illustrated maps which I am finding very helpful."

And don't give up on the maps, y'all! Gettysburg is managed by the American Battlefield Trust, and their webpage is so helpful. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/ma...

With this read on Gettysburg, my goal is to do what I'm doing with Invisible Man -- immerse myself in it. It's one of those rare to happen lifetime ops to read something wonderful with a great group of people, so I must must must get the most out of it. 🧡📚

Tom wrote: "Tell your husband to exercise some of the same wisdom he showed when he picked you and give Shaara a try."

👏👏👏
Now your husband *has* to try Shaara, Diane! 😀

Cheryl, do you know what a "contrarian" is? A person who will never do what anyone else tells him to do, including books, movies, TV shows, new restaurants, etc. You can see him tense up when anyone says "You will love this!" Fortunately he has other great qualities, and I have learned the valuable art of manipulation.

Diane wrote: "Cheryl, do you know what a "contrarian" is? A person who will never do what anyone else tells him to do, including books, movies, TV shows, new restaurants, etc. You can see him tense up when anyon..."

😆

Sam wrote: "What I meant to suggest was that books like Killer Angels, In Cold Blood, etc..."

As much as I loved In Cold Blood, I cringe at the idea that it makes Truman Capote into an historian. He definitely took liberties with the truth on that one.

It is with much reluctance that I have to pass on this opportunity to reread this classic work. I will be following the conversation closely.

Anyone who is on the fence about this book should definitely jump in. It's a gem.

I just found my paperback copy I bought years ago but never got around to reading, so I'm in. I'm not necessarily a history buff nor war book fan, but I've heard so many good things about this book. Anyhow, I've been wanting to read for quite some time and I see the classics book group is reading this one this month too. What better time.

Diane, hah! Getting my husband to do something he’s not sure of is “like pushing a string up hill.” LOL

Franky, I’m glad you ate joining for this one and look forward to your comments!

This is a book that defies any genre except greatness. I may have to join in and do a reread just for the pleasure.

*Note to self. Do not open SLT initial impressions threads and read through comments when you do not intend to read the book pick unless you want your mind and intention changed. These people are merciless in their intent to sabotage your TBR 🚫

I read this last September and it's a classic. Plain as.

It's our mission, Cathrine!

@Cathrine Yes, you've got to be careful with this group for sure!

@Everyone - I'll start this by next Tuesday. Finishing Invisible Man, and prepping to lead a discussion on Faulkner's Requiem for a Nun (will post about that on the WF thread).

Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "*Note to self. Do not open SLT initial impressions threads and read through comments when you do not intend to read the book pick unless you want your mind and intention changed. These people are m..."

I was thinking the same thing, Cathrine. I really don't have time to read it, but after all the great comments, I just had to pick it up at the library to read later this month!

So funny Cathrine but true.

I wasn't going to reread it either, but got it from the library today and am already hooked. The writing!

It is such s good feeling to read sknething so well written as this book is!

I meant “something”…

"Ah, but Colonel, darlin',, I've been in the infantry since before you was born. It's them first few thousand miles. After that, a man gets a limber to his feet."
I love Kilrain.
These maps are very helpful in envisioning the action.

I've got a busy and dense TBR this month, but I picked up a paperback of 'The Killer Angels' at the library, only because the first page was so easily readable and flowed. I thought, 'this is something I can read.' I may not get to it until the last of the month, but I plan on joining in.

That's what happened to me too Libby. Wasn't planning to reread, then read the first little bit and fell under the spell. Something special about reading this during the same month the battle was fought. You don't even have to imagine the heat.

I didn't even realize the battle was fought this month, Diane. I have a lot to learn. 😊

July 1st, 2nd and 3rd, 1863.

I am fortunate to live within an hour of Gettysburg, matter of fact only 5 miles from Williamsport on the Potomac, as mentioned in the opening paragraph of the foreword, is where I was born and raised, however on the WV side of the Potomac.

My best friend was an avid Gettysburg enthusiast, so I have spent many a day there with her. I found this book on my shelf with an index card about a fourth of the way in but have no recollection of having even started the book. Maybe it was her book that she loaned to me. She passed about 1 1/2 yrs ago, so I will be reading this in honor of her love for Gettysburg. And I can hear her asking, what took you so long?

Diane, I agree there are certain books that should be read during certain parts of the year and this one should definitely be read in July.

I am about 3 chapters in and the writing is very smooth and clear, quite easy to visualize and you can get into the character's heads a little. I like the shifts from different points of view so far and the maps included.

Lexy wrote: "I am fortunate to live within an hour of Gettysburg, matter of fact only 5 miles from Williamsport on the Potomac, as mentioned in the opening paragraph of the foreword, is where I was born and rai..."

That's such a heartfelt comment, Lexy, and a lovely way to honor your friend.

@Lexy - I'm in Hagerstown! We're going to get our book-hunting trip together sooner than we thought. 😊😊😊

Those maps are perfect for visualizing the action of the battles, hour by hour. I think getting into the heads of the generals is what makes this book so special. Robert E. Lee was an old man, and unwell, not the God his men thought he was. We come to know all these men, and it humanizes the battle, and we see what an awful thing this war was.

What a special tribute Lexy! I went to Gettsburg just once, probably 30 years ago. I still remember feeling like the ghosts of those men were all around.

@ Cheryl, wow, I work in Hagerstown. You probably spend a lot of time in Wonder Book & Video & 2nd & Charles!

@ Diane, speaking of ghosts, my friend lived in an older house along the Potomac & often saw a civil war soldier walking back & forth on her porch.

I don't doubt it Lexy.

I'm waiting for my in transit copy but was able to listen to the introduction read by the author last night. Like you all mention, very engaging from the start. I hope to make use of both formats.

Thats wise Cathrine. You really do need the maps in the printed book.