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The Killer Angels

The Classic Novel of the Civil War

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The Killer Angels

By: Michael Shaara
Narrated by: Stephen Hoye
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About this listen

WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE • After more than a quarter of a century and three million copies in print, Michael Shaara’s Civil War classic, The Killer Angels, remains as vivid and powerful as the day it was originally published.

July 1863. The Confederate Army of Northern Virginia is invading the North. General Robert E. Lee has made this daring and massive move with seventy thousand men in a determined effort to draw out the Union Army of the Potomac and mortally wound it. His right hand is General James Longstreet, a brooding man who is loyal to Lee but stubbornly argues against his plan. Opposing them is an unknown factor: General George Meade, who has taken command of the Army only two days before what will be perhaps the crucial battle of the Civil War.

In the four most bloody and courageous days of our nation’s history, two armies fight for two conflicting dreams. One dreams of freedom, the other of a way of life. More than rifles and bullets are carried into battle. The soldiers carry memories. Promises. Love. And more than men fall on those Pennsylvania fields. Bright futures, untested innocence, and pristine beauty are also the casualties of war.

The Killer Angels is unique, sweeping, unforgettable–a dramatic re-creation of the battleground for America’s destiny.

©1974 Michael Shaara, copyright renewed 2002 Jeffrey M. Shaara & Lila E. Shaara (P)2004 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.
Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction War & Military Civil War War Dream

Critic Reviews

  • Pulitzer Prize winner, Fiction 1975

“My favorite historical novel . . . A superb re-creation of the Battle of Gettysburg, but its real importance is its insight into what the war was about, and what it meant.”—James M. McPherson

“Remarkable . . . A book that changed my life . . . I had never visited Gettysburg, knew almost nothing about that battle before I read the book, but here it all came alive.”—Ken Burns, filmmaker

“Shaara carries [the reader] swiftly and dramatically to a climax as exciting as if it were being heard for the first time.”—The Seattle Times

All stars
Most relevant  
One of the few books that would have been better to read so you could see the maps and movements of the troupes.

Still a great story

A great story but better to read

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This book was highly recommended by American Four Star equivalents across the three Services. I also relished every minute of it.
The author's rich prose takes you to Gettysberg, and the narrator's flair, especially during the battles, made it hard to stop listening.

I'm not an American, but treasure this novel and the rich history of that era. I hope to visit the site one day and stand on the very ground where this story is told.

Step onto the Battlefield of Gettysberg, July 1863

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Narrative history at its absolute best - moving, griping, unforgettable. Savour every chapter of it while you can

Fantastic

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A fantastic novel excellently read, produced and performed. Highly recommended to anyone. Excellent historical fiction.

Magnificent.

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