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The Last Full Measure is the third leg of a trilogy, written by Jeff Shaara, about the battle of Gettysburg and the men who fought in that conflict. The first leg, The Killer Angels, by Michael Shaara, tells the 3 day tale of Gettysburg itself, primarily from the eyes of Lee and Longstreet. Borrowing from Stephen Crane's approach to the Red Badge of Courage, Shaara wanted to know what it was like to be there, the weather, the men's faces, their thoughts, their feelings. To do this Shaara ignored any historical opinions and went for the words of the men themselves, from their letters, their diaries and other documents. It was this book, and Shaara's approach to the story telling, that inspired Ken Burns to make his film, The Civil War, and made both tellers of this tale so successful in their own professions, film and prose. In the second leg, Gods and Generals, a prequel to Gettysburg, the author, Jeff Shaara, introduces us to four young military men, Robert E. Lee, TJ “Stonewall” Jackson, Winfield Scott Hancock, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, and their graduation days at West Point in the mid 1840s. They are a new breed of fighting man, college-educated, professional in the arts of war, who then honed their battle skills in combat during the Mexican War (1846-1848), before being idled through 13 years of peacetime, until war broke out again in 1861. This tale focuses on the events, from 1858 to June 1863, that brought these professional soldiers, with their new arms, artillery and their battle-tested skill sets, to those low hills and Pennsylvania farmlands for those 3 tragic days in July of 1863. Having the storytelling style set in the first book, Jeff Shaara brings us a post Gettysburg sequel, The Last Full Measure, that follows three men, Lee, Ulysses S Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a Union hero at Gettysburg, through the last two years of the war. Since Gettysburg, there is a change in the way men see war, and in the way they fight it. Gettysburg has badly wounded both sides and though it is clearly a defeat for Lee's army, neither side is quick to pursue another fight on such a huge scale. Depicting both sides even-handedly and compassionately, we are led through major battles with major leaders. We are given a balanced experience of the temperament, sensibility and character of the generals of both sides of the battle lines. It is through the lives of these 3 particular men, men with character, dignity and honor, that the author wants to pose the political, military and social paradigm shifts that changed them and this nation forever.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I purchased this book because I had purchased the videos of the two preceding books in the trilogy, "Gods and Generals" and "Gettysburg". I really enjoyed the historical based ficiton, supposition, of the characters. I researched the author and found the third installment, The Last Full Measure was authored by the son of the original author and had not been made into a move although the rights were purchased. I really enjoyed the book I read it through several times. It is very interesting to see the historical events through the participants. My only regret is that this installment has not been made into a movie.
The end of the American Civil War from the end of the battle of Gettysburg to the end of the war. Well-written sequel to "The Killer Angels" written by the son of the original author. My only problem was that it was almost too sad to read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The Last Full Measure is an excellent culmination to the Trilogy began by his father, Michael Shaara in Killer Angels. By now the supporting characters are well known and the history buff knows the way the story will unfold. Still, the narrative is fast paced and riveting through most of the story. I found it hard to put down and completed the volume in just a couple days. Toward the end Lee and Grant become reflective and almost preachy at times and the pace slows way down; however, I especially liked the humor Mr. Shaara introduced in some of the thoughts and dialogue of the character of Grant and highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a good read.
I've read all three books in this series, Gods and Generals, The Killer Angels, and The Last Full Measure. I think I would put Killer Angels at the top of that list, but this one would be a close second! It concentrates mostly on Lee and Grant, with the heroic Joshua Chamberlain thrown in for good measure. I couldn't put it down!
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