OC AMOSBOOK REPORT —THE KILLER ANGELS The purpose of this book report is to highlight the reasons why the bookThe Killer Angelswritten by Michael Shaara is critically acclaimed by several American Civil War experts and by the readers. While the book describes senior military officers’ typical roles, strategies, tactics, and concerns of their subordinates, the book also dedicates an extensive insight on the true motivations of the senior military officers to win the American Civil War. This book report focuses exactly on these aspects — motives, tactics, and strategies from the Union Army, as well as from the Confederate Army. The Killer Angelswritten by Michael Shaara is a book that deals with the Battle of Gettysburg of 1863, which was the deciding battle during the American Civil War. The book describes the conflicts, battles, and personal dilemmas between the military officers from Northern Virginia, also known as the Confederate Army, and the military officers from the Potomac, also known as the Union Army. The book highlights the roles of General Robert E. Lee, who was the commander of the Confederate Army, General James Longstreet, who was second in command to General Lee, and Union Colonel Joshua L. Chamberlain, who played a key role in the famous Battle of Gettysburg. Other important military officers that are described in the book are General James Longstreet, General J.E.B. Stuart, General John Buford, General John Reynolds, General Ewell, and General Early. The Killer Angelsstands out compared to other American Civil War books because it dedicates several chapters to key military leaders of the American Civil War in which the emotions, thoughts, intentions, and fears are being highlighted. Also, the book describes the importance of understanding the nature of war. Throughout the book, General Lee and General Longstreet get into several arguments about military strategies — whether to be more offensive or defensive. At the time of the Battle of Gettysburg, General Lee is already an older man, who is used to outdated military warfare, while General Longstreet has understood the changing nature of modern warfare. General Longstreet attempts several times to explain to General Lee that modern technology, such as breech-loading rifles and long-range artillery has changed the dynamic of the battlefield and advises General Lee to assume a defensive posture via fortified positions. General Lee, however, does not realize the challenges of the modern battlefield and believes that he can defeat the union even in fortified positions located on high grounds, which eventually becomes a leading factor on why the Confederate Army lost the Battle of Gettysburg to the Union Army. “The South does not forgive Longstreet the insult to Lee's name. At the great reunion, years later, of the Army of Northern Virginia, Longstreet is not even invited, but he comes anyway, stubborn to the end, walks down the aisle in his old gray uniform, stars of a general on his collar, and is
