Historical Facts And Creative License In Michael Shaara's Killer Angels

The Killer Angels is a very interesting and intriguing novel about The Civil War and gives us day by day actions through out it all. That is what really interested me in the way this book was set up. Every day, there was a diary from different characters. Because of this, we get to see different views from different characters and how each one of them have their own stories in the war and how they got through the war. At the very beginning of the story, we meet a spy named Harrison, who loves his Shakespeare. He sees that the Union Army is coming, because he sees about twenty thousand men all at once. He is so scared and surprises and runs to tell the two generals, General Longstreet and General Lee. This is our introduction to the character I will talk about

1. What is the spy's usual occupation before the war? The spy was an actor.

The Foreword began with describing the armies of the two armies. It states that the Confederate armies had a strong union among its men, because of their similarities in traditions, language, and religion. The soldiers had a strong belief in their leaders and were stronger together. This resulted in them beating much larger armies. The leader of this group on the battle of Gettysburg was Robert E Lee. A man who loves Virginia, who doesn’t partake in any bad habits, and who is a calm and composed man. However, the Union army was more diverse in their traditions, language, and religion, but this didn’t stop them from volunteering for their country. The leader of this group was George Gordon Meade. Unlike Lee, Meade was far more irritable and

Wars have been fought for many different reasons through the years, and that holds true for the American Civil War (1861-1865). In Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning novel, The Killer Angels, the reasons for fighting the war are brought about through the officers and soldiers at a famous battle site of the Civil War, Gettysburg. Gettysburg was one of the most documented battles of the whole war. It took place over a span of three days and can be viewed as a turning point from Confederate prominence to Confederate demise. As in any conflict, there are two sides to the story. The Union and the Confederacy each had their own views as to why they were fighting the war. Victors write the history so too often only the Union side is

During one such moment, Chamberlain is reminded of a Shakespearean speech: “What a piece of work man is…in action how like an angel!” (page 126). Upon hearing this, Chamberlain’s father commented, “Well, boy, if he’s an angel, he’s sure a murderin’ angel.” (page 126). From this interaction, Chamberlain came up with “Man: the Killer Angels”, a thought he often revisited over the course of the Battle of Gettysburg, and from which the book acquires its title. Chamberlain acted with the intention of getting something positive out of the war. He never treated the Confederates as though they were less than him: “ Chamberlain put out a hand. ‘Sir’ he said. The Alabama man nodded slightly. His voice was so low Chamberlain could hardly hear it. ‘Do you have some water?’ ‘Certainly.’ Chamberlain offered his own canteen.” (page 243). It is even known that he had his troops salute the surrendering South at Appomattox.

Honor played a major role in novel, Killer Angels. Throughout the book, Honor was a concept that remained important to members of the armies, regardless of whether they were supporting the Union or the Confederacy. Every action and decision was made with the intention of being heroic and as honorable as possible.

Killer Angels is a 1974 historical novel by Michael Shaara. The book tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War. The novel is told through the voices of both Union army and Confederate Army of Northern Virginia leaders who were in battle there. The novel is laid out in days and each new chapter for the day gives a number and the name of the man who is the focus of the chapter. In Killer Angels, the Army of Northern Virginia’s demise is highlighted by a few different features. The failing health and age of Robert E. Lee served to distract him from military obligations, the advantage point the Union side had over Confederate Army at the Battle of Gettysburg, and the most significant reason for demise, was the

One of the many patriots, Joshua Chamberlain enlisted in the Union Army to defend his country. It is ironic because “he had never enjoyed shooting anything...” (Pg. 36) and yet he is willing to kill in pride for his country. A teacher Bowdoin, he receives high recommendations to the army, and Governor Washburn offers

The book The Killer Angels was published in 1975 by the Ballatine Booksand was written by Michael Shaara. The Killer Angels is a historic novel about the time of the American Civil War, more specifically The Battle of Gettysburg. Shaara wrote this historical masterpiece with the sole purpose of letting the reader know exactly how the war was for the men actually putting their lives on the line to get this great country of America to the stature it is today. In order to accomplish his goal of creating the ultimate historic journal of The Battle of Gettysburg, he went straight to the source. He went back and retrieved letters and documents written by the men themselves, who were I the war. What better way to tell a story about one of the most significant battles of American history, then getting the information straight from the warriors who were fighting in the tranches? The book is written from the viewpoints of Robert Edward Lee, James Longstreet, and a couple of other men who were in the war. Robert E. Lee was fifty-seven at the time of the war. He was a highly respected general of the Confederate Army. He was an honest, God following man who had great morals which made a great leader (Killer Angles XVI). He didn’t drink or smoke and would stay away from reading novels and plays because he felt it would make him weak minded for battle (Killer Angles XVI). This is what made him such a great leader, the fact that he lead by example of how a true gentleman and general should

COL Chamberlain continued to improve his understanding of the situation throughout the battle. He understood that he had to trust his men and rely on his experiences, along with his critical and creative thinking, to devise a plan to hold the Unions far left flank on Little Round Top and defeat the Confederates.

Shaara made the battle of Gettysburg into vivid pictures through the actions of several generals and the events. In this book, Shaara’s way of writing pointed out that the outcome of the war was not an answer to determine who is good or evil. It is about how each character feel it and deal with the circumstance. Good people like Robert Lee could have made bad decisions based on his belief of honor; Harrison, an actor became a paid spy, was the one that was not supposed to be trustworthy performed heroically. These characters separated with their wives and kids, fighting against people from their own

Would today’s lifestyle be different if Joshua Chamberlain didn’t convince the mutineers to do the right thing? It’s the year 1863 during the Civil War and Joshua Chamberlain is trying to convince 120 mutineers to change their minds to rejoin the army at the battle of Gettysburg. The 120 mutineers didn’t want to go into battle because they were treated poorly. Chamberlain was a good man who showed generosity towards the mutineers and was also very kind towards them as well. At the end of it all Chamberlain inspired 114 men to rejoin the army and to win the war. After watching Joshua Chamberlain and his speech it showed that he was a generous and all in all a good man, who believed in fair treatment and people’s values and the characters expressions and this makes the film, Gettysburg, better than the book, Killer Angels.

Colonel Chamberlain informed his men that if their ground was compromised, then the entire Potomac army might be in danger. Chamberlain noticed confederate forces appearing through the thick forest, and ordered the reserves to plug any hole that might be made in the line. They held off the Confederate's first attack, but soon another rebel charge emerged.

The film then moves into a spy spotting Union cavalry, then a division of Union infantry. Immediately he rides off, crosses a Confederate picket line and demands to be brought to Lt. Gen. James Longstreet to warn of the close proximity of Union troops. Meanwhile, Union Brig. Gen. John Buford and his cavalry unit arrive in Gettysburg to do reconnaissance. Buford realizes if Lee’s army makes it to Gettysburg, they could easily take a defensive position given the high ground and put an end to the Army of the Potomac. Buford decides to stay, and places his unit along Seminary Ridge to stop any Confederate troops getting in from the west. Miles from Gettysburg, Union Col. Joshua Chamberlain of the 20th Maine Regiment is informed that his unit will be taking on 120 wayward members from another Maine regiment, with the orders to shoot anyone who causes problems. After Chamberlain displays heartfelt hospitality and delivers a moving speech, he wins over 114 of the bedraggled men.

Colonel Chamberlain was apart of the 20th Maine regiment and was given one hundred twenty mutineers that were refusing to fight and had been mistreated in the past. Unlike the other colonels Chamberlain offered the mutineers compassion and trust. Many words throughout his speech encouraged the decision of the mutineers.