In 1974, the year before Lemuria opened, Michael Shaara published his now classic novel of the civil war, The Killer Angels. Killer Angels depicts the Battle of Gettysburg as told from the view points of Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet and some of the other men who fought there. Shaara wanted to know what it was like to be there, what the weather was like, what the men’s faces looked like. To understand this state of mind, he had to write it and a modern classic was the result. Through his own interpretation of character, he brought the battle to life. The reader is able to understand these men, the way they talked and thought. The Battle of Gettysburg comes alive within the pages of this great American novel.
Killer Angels won the Pulitzer Prize in 1974 and was also declared a must-read by all who discovered its truth and form. Published in a small edition by a non-literary publisher, David McKay, first editions of Killer Angels are rare and valuable today in nice condition. I found my copy in my own library, laid in with an enclosed inscription from my dear friend Valerie Walley. Another reminder of the pleasure of maintaining a home library.
As Killer’s readership grew, more and more fans proclaimed the novel a must-read. Finally, I picked it up on vacation and read it as a birthday present to myself. Then I became a hand selling bookseller fan for Michael’s great work. In my opinion, Shaara created a new historical fiction art form.
Jeff Shaara is Michael’s son and he is extending his father’s legacy. Jeff visited Lemuria October 11, 1996 for his first novel Gods and Generals. Jeff now returns for his newest novel, A Blaze of Glory: A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh. Jeff has adopted his father’s style of character insight to record one of the bloodiest battles fought on American soil.
I’m finding Blaze of Glory to be as battlefield insightful as his father’s first novel many years ago. The quality of research and writing demands that Lemuria choose Blaze of Glory as our May First Editions Club pick. For those who might dismiss this book as war fiction, don’t be so quick. Jeff’s character development and plot progression possess literary essence while stimulating the reader’s interest. Shiloh becomes people and people convey the battle’s character. It is the fiction of life in difficult and demanding circumstances.
For those of you who read and enjoy Blaze, you will be pleased to know that it is volume one of a trilogy, with the Battle of Vicksburg being volume 2 and Georgia and the Carolinas being volume 3. I have no doubt that this trilogy will stand the test of time, just as Michael Shaara’s novels have done. Shelby Foote’s civil war trilogy will never be replaced, however, I feel that Michael and Jeff’s civil war writings will be on the same book shelf in many reader’s libraries.
As a last thought, one other title should be on the shelf with Foote and Michael and Jeff Shaara: The Civil War Battlefield Guide. This book is essential in understanding the flow of battle. Concise essays and easy to read maps explain the timelines of troop movement. These maps give you a guide to what actually happened as men gave up their lives for a cause they believed in.
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Jeff Shaara will be at Lemuria Thursday, May 31 for a 5:00 signing & 5:30 reading.
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