The best work of historical fiction. A Pulitzer Prize winner. I read this years ago and my memory of it was so enjoyable, I had to revisit. A vivid account of the Battle of Gettysburg; those three days in July of 1863 that were the 'high water mark' for the Confederacy. The story is an elegant drama of personalities in all their personal histories and relationships with one another in collision of calculations, missteps, geography and fate.
The riveting dialogue along with each sequence of the battle brings the characters, their decisions and destiny to life. Far from being contrived, Shaara accurately balances the dialogue with the known circumstances and attitudes of the players. Jeb Stuart's disappearance and Lee's blindness....Longstreet's caution and foreboding.....Chamberlain's defense of Little Round Top....George Pickett's cockiness before and his devastation after Lee sent his men across a mile of open field. For anyone with a curiosity about the Civil War but doesn't want the dry history, this is an excellent introduction. The book was also made into a movie in 1993 with Martin Sheen as Lee. Entertaining with good reviews, but I thought weak on character portrayal.
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