Analysis of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - Book Report/Review Example

 ‘The Killer Angels’: Review Michael Shaara’s ‘The Killer Angels’ is a historical narrative based on the real-to-life feelings the author hails from the human aspects of the superior cadre involved in the war with a considerably less focus on the effect and the reality of the war. This 1975 Pulitzer Prize winning book is a consolidated attribute to the eventful four days of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War of 1863. The work is spectacular for the fact that it gives equal balance to the southern wing with the Commanding General of Northern Virginia, Robert E Lee and his Lieutenant, James Longstreet in the lead role with similar consideration for their counterparts Colonel Joshua L Chamberlain and Brigadier General John Buford of the northern front with an absolute taste of a West point. Shaara’s special focus on interlinking sessions of conversational narratives and relevant application of monologues gives enthusiastic reading effect to all and it is totally impressive as it leaves among readers a sense of appreciation for all the soldiers of wars of all time. Author’s Thesis Through this book, Shaara tries to state his critical views about the political scenario of the United States during the time of President Abraham Lincoln who used to embrace his policy of preserving the unity of the region without clarification whether slavery would be retained or abolished. It also rolls on an emotional conflict posed by the uncertainty about whether slavery was to be partially or wholly retained or abolished. Shaara goes deep into the interface of emotional deals of the two protagonists and their associates and all other role bearers of the forefront formulation and administration of the course of the war. The narration of the episodes of war that took place in Pennsylvania between the American Union and the Confederacy from June 30 to July 3 modifies the features of history with the appeal of a character-driven story in the perspective presentation style of the protagonists’ views. The literature is more interesting as it is effective in touching the minds of readers. Shaara shows his excellent demonstrative skills to express the emotional elements throughout the war. The author describes the war as an event that contained more political reinforcement of the provinces than the usually described prospects of slavery. This thought comes to light of the emergence of a new definition of the war which assured a fight of the South’s neo-anti federalists for the powerful rise of the government over the federal system in the top level state affairs over the Union force’s claim for the preservation of the United States without offering liberty to the slaves. Touching presentation of an ongoing struggle for maintaining the morale of a fighting soldier group is significant in the novel. Hence, the author is pointing to the fact that the episode so described in the novel displays the human elements underlying in every military move and the amount of burden born by each commanding official in the policy formulation and execution while guaranteeing balanced effect of leadership and integrity. Dramatic narrations of the incidents guiding to the opening of the war is the most interesting part of all the four sections of the war, which is called ‘Monday’ in the book. The circumstances of the war are represented by the introduction a spy as reporting his visuals about the advance of the Union army to Lee. An enraged Lee then decides to move forward on seeing that the enemies were only two hundred miles from reach and the location of the encounter was set in the town of Gettysburg. Chamberlain, on the other hand, successfully adopts plan for overpowering the Confederate army; thus with the guidance of Buford, he marches the army towards the north post and settles a comfortable defense position. In the same course of time, James Longstreet moves on with his army until they reach the east post to involve in the fledging. Shaara also claims that he, with the attempt to furnish the enterprising facts about the war, was trying to modify the military model described by Shakespeare in his famous ‘Henry V’. The author largely focuses on the influence of humanity on military elements of decisions, motivations and actions of generals and colonels in the war with a wrap of emotion. The opening of the book with the spy character Harrison gathering information for Longstreet about the proceedings of the Federals and driven through the emotional segments of the interaction of the leaders of both fighting teams. Each chapter of this book has something or the other to describe implications of human elements in the decision making process lead by the officers of both armies. The narrative excellence of the author is once again emphasized with the evident presentation of maps and route displays of the advancement of the war at different intervals in order to establish the authenticity of describing a historical incident. There are views that this novel traces the thesis of Stephen Crane’s ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ as the later vividly depicts a war, but the difference is obvious as ‘The Killer Angels’ narrates the emotional variances of the officers involved in the war while Crane’s work speaks largely about the performance variances of the ground level soldiers. Chamberlain, the Fighting Genius The character we can easily admire is undoubtedly Chamberlain, the formidable colonel of the Union army which was running short of opinion and favorites at the time of the battle. His rank was described comparatively lower in the army than Lee or Longstreet, but his tactics for war was absolutely efficient. Chamberlain claims the top position among the architects of the Union’s victory of the Civil War and thus hails great popularity among his countrymen. Being a professor at Bowdoin College at the time of the emergency, he was fascinated about wars and victories; he left the college and joined the Union army and served it as a successful soldier till the end of the war. Chamberlain’s position in the army was prominent as he was the most educated citizens among all. The author is generous in explaining the features of Chamberlain as a professor and a soldier. His greatness is evident from his opting the soldier’s position from a comfortable and admirable job of a professor for the sake of his country. His spirit of war was obviously spiced up with courage and his effective style of commanding; as the author scribes, “Chamberlain raised his saber, let loose the shout that was the greatest he could make, boiling the yell up from his chest: Fix bayonets! Charge!” (Shaara, Ch.4). Emotional attributes to his professional life are drawn with the introduction of his brother in a lead role in the operation. Very thoughtful and intellectual he was, Chamberlain resolves the pain he had to take from being forced to order his brother Tom to undergo fatal situations with poetic expressions and drives his spirit for the country through the veins of all his crewmen that stood fast till the end of the war. Chamberlain’s role in the novel provides chances for the insightful analysis of emotions and motivations of the Union army during the Civil War. He is the man who had to confront difficulties and first-hand experiences of the war more frequently than anyone else fought it. Therefore, it is reassured that his role is a motivational lesson for all the new aspirants to a soldier’s profession. Chamberlain is surely the man to be admired to the extreme extend. It is because of him the Union army fought successfully with a discouraged team of people till the end. The contextual prominence of his character is specific from the developmental narratives of the novel through the advancing days of the war. A usual scene of discouragement was experienced in the camp as leading warriors were leaving their way owing to fatality or injury. Thousands of personnel perished in the war from both ends, and as a veteran professor, he walks past the dead bodies only to resolve that death was inevitable in a losing side. There are statements to describe his inspiring attitude towards the profession; while other seniors had a rest or refreshment, he found himself comfortable among the ailing soldiers with his usual style of spirited lectures and emotional care to let them think high. His professionalism is symbolized when he dominates his human emotions of love for a brother while he chose to send Tom to penetrate the tactics of an enemy regiment as he realizes he would be the best option there. He was proud to see his brother fight fitting to the condition; it shows his spirit as a leader. Chamberlain was a leader par excellence in all aspects; he was a noble example of sportsman spirit as well. As the war eventually ended and the Union’s victory was complete, Chamberlain ordered his men to salute all the surrendering soldiers as a sign of fulfillment of the mission and as a gesture of great honor towards their efficiency. Thus, throughout his career as a soldier and later as a colonel, Chamberlain was marking the significance of leading by example; like a perfect professor in war booting too. Works Cited Shaara, Michael. The Killer Angels. US: Ballantine Books, 2003. Print. Read More