The Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara
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Book Reviews of The Last Full Measure
Book Review: Another great Shaara historical novel
Summary: 5 Stars
Before reading this, the third in the Shaara Civil War trilogy, I became fairly well versed in the events described. This novel roughly parallels "A Stillness at Appomattox," the third volume of Bruce Catton's famous "Army of the Potomac" trilogy, (this third valume is still in print. The events depicted are Grant's push through Virginia, past Richmond, to the City of Petersburg where a long siege finally led to the end of the war. Grant did not win many battles in the overland campaign and indeed suffered a horrific defeat at Cold Harbor. However, after each battle in that campaign, rather than retreat, he pushed forward, winning the war by attrition. Grant's larger, better supplied army was more able to withstand loss than was Lee's.Shaara is historically accurate in describing events from the viewpoint of Grant, Lee and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Through imagined dialogue and thought processes of these (and other) figures, we get a compelling view of the actual historic events. The end of the war is pathetic as Lee's badly depleted army tries to hang on, thus both absorbing, and causing unnecessssary losses. Lee abandons Petersburg and futilly extends the war as he retreats, finally ending up at Appomattox. I have always felt that the casualties of the last weeks of the war were the most tragic because the war had been won yet Lee allowed more death to occur by refusing to acknowledge the inevitable. Shaara descriptively captures these final days.
This is the third novel of Jeff Shaara's I have read and I also read his father's "The Killer Angels." I never have read a Shaara novel that was anything less than 5 stars and I look forward to reading more in the future (Jeff has a sequel to "Rise To Rebellion" due out eventually). These novels are a great way to either learn history or to reinforce the history you have already learned.
Book Review: A most fitting conclusion
Summary: 5 Stars
After having read Gods & Generals and The Killer Angels, The Last Full Measure seemed to be the natural next step in concluding what was America's bloodiest war. I was expecting a somewhat predictable, and hence banal, scenario of Grant taking Lee to the woodshed as US forces are repeatedly bolstered while Lee's are repeatedly weakened. Well, suffice to say, it is anything but banal and predictable (despite, of course, the final outcome). One is introduced to the two dynamic, if not controversial, leaders of the latter half of the war that were instrumental in Grant's success: the impetuous, demanding, & fiery General Philip Sheridan and the unrelenting, aggressive, & uncouth General William T. Sherman. I would be remiss without having mentioned the most obvious new entry -- the only man ever able to match wits with Robert E. Lee: General Ulysses S. Grant. Was he a great strategist? Was he a raging alcoholic? How exactly was his relationship with Lincoln? - and with his subordinates (including Meade)?
All of these and many more questions are answered in this wonderfully woven tale that masterfully takes the reader from the bloody aftermath of Gettysburg to the trying siege of Petersberg all the way to the solemn occasion at Appomattox Court House. The incredible heroism of Joshua Chamberlain, the tragedies of JEB Stuart & A.P. Hill, the genius of Lee, the savagery of Sherman, & the vastly contrasting leadership styles of Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis are all on full display in The Last Full Measure.
"War is for the participants a test of character; it makes bad men worse and good men better."
- Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
Book Review: Great Novel On The Civil War's Last Few Months
Summary: 5 Stars
"Last Full Measure" by Jeff Shaara is the last book in a 3-volume set on the Civil War and covers roughly the time when US Grant takes command as Commander of all Union armies until the surrender at Appomattox.
While is the book is reasonably lengthy (around 560 reading pages), the narrative flows freely and consists of several 5-10 page chapters that takes the reader into the mind of several main characters (Lee, Grant, Lincoln, Hancock, Hill, Chamberlain, Davis, Longstreet, etc.).
After the surrender at Appomattox, Shaara describes the main characters' lives after the Civil War. Between the book's beginning and end, the following battles/campaigns are covered:
1. Wilderness
2. Spotsylvania
3. North Anna
4. Cold Harbor
5. Several battles in the Petersburg Campaign
The book took on a deeper meaning for me as I happened to be in the area of many of the battles while reading the book.
The description of battles, characters, and events seemed to be accurate when compared to nonfiction books I have read on various battles and characters.
A great read for the person who would like to learn more about the Civil War from the perspective of an historical novel. You can take what you have learned from reading "Last Full Measure" and deepen and broaden your Civil War knowledge by reading some of the many nonfiction titles of battles and biographies readily available to you.
Highly recommended. Read and enjoy!
Book Review: Gentlemen Warriors
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a wonderful read. I learned so much about the Civil War conclusion, until I read this book I could appreciate the real situation of General Lee's army, I always thought he surrendered because of a political compromise and to avoid further useless bloodshed but I realized he really had no choice as his army was practically anihilated in the battles of march -april 1865.
I learned also the ruthless pursuit of victory of the Union armies under Grant, that ultimately decided the issue. Grant really pushed through no matter casualties or personal reputation, ultimately puting an end to the war and to further killing.
Lee was portrayed as a real gentleman at arms, almost as a knight of old, personally I would have followed him, his tactics sometimes were flawed or his secondary commanders did not deliver but he was the real spirit of the Conferderate Army. It was very sad to read of the destitution of his army, no food, no uniforms, but great spirit. In the end they gave it all for Lee but were swallowed by the industrial might of the North.
I liked the portrayal of Chamberlain, also a gentleman soldier, very chivalrous at the end.
This book really touched me, it was not a dry account of battles or meaningless action but the story of real men, desires fears, the grandious and the horror of fratricidal war. The vision Lee has of himself charging ahead of his troops at the moment of his death will always saty with me. Wonderful imaginery.
Book Review: One of the Best
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're looking for the most fun you can have reading a book about the civil war, this is it. Beautifully written, this book follows mostly three men, General Robert E. Lee (C.S.A.), General Ulysses S. Grant (U.S.A), and Colonel/General Joshua Chamberlain (U.S.A.). Beginning right after the Battle of Gettysburg, this book continues until the confederate surrender. Dancing around each other for about the first 100 pages of the book with out a large battle, the two armies first square off at the Battles of the Wilderness. In about the worst battle conditions possible, short skirmishes up to large battles occur in those terrible conditions. Throughout the entire book, it is as much of a battle between the United States and the Confederate States as it is between General Lee and General Grant. In my opinion, Lee is the better commander, however not by much because both are geniuses. The first major mistake by either of these wonderful commanders is at Cold Harbor, in which Grant's plan results in mass casualties for the Union. Still chasing the Confederates, Grant eventually backs them up into their own defenses at Petersburg. Chamberlain is key leading a charge which in my opinion is the cause for victory at the Battle of Petersburg. Ultimately wearing down Lee, this book ends at the battle and surrender at Appotamax. Overall, this book is hands down the most fun you can have with an educational book.