The Killer Angels

The Killer Angels
Title	The Killer Angels
Author	Michael Shaara
Publisher	David McKay Publications
Publication date	1974
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975

The Killer Angels is a historical novel written by Michael Shaara, published in 1974, which tells the story of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War. The novel focuses on the experiences of Confederate States Army and Union Army soldiers, including Robert E. Lee, James L. Kemper, and Joshua Chamberlain, as they fight in one of the bloodiest battles in United States history, involving Pickett's Charge and the 20th Maine Infantry Regiment. The book explores the motivations, emotions, and actions of the soldiers, as well as the strategic decisions made by their commanders, such as George Meade and Richard S. Ewell, during the battle, which took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Background

The Killer Angels was written by Michael Shaara, an American author and professor, who was inspired by his own experiences as a soldier in the United States Army during the Korean War. Shaara's interest in the American Civil War and the Battle of Gettysburg led him to research the events and people involved, including Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and William Tecumseh Sherman. He drew on historical accounts, such as those found in the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration, to create a detailed and accurate portrayal of the battle, which was a turning point in the war, following the Emancipation Proclamation and preceding the Gettysburg Address. The novel was published in 1974 by David McKay Publications and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975, an award previously won by authors such as Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.

Plot

The plot of The Killer Angels follows the events of the Battle of Gettysburg, from the initial skirmishes on July 1, 1863, to the final retreat of the Confederate States Army on July 3, 1863. The novel explores the experiences of soldiers on both sides, including Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and George Pickett, as they fight in key battles such as Little Round Top and Cemetery Ridge. The story also delves into the strategic decisions made by the commanders, including George Meade and Winfield Scott Hancock, and the impact of these decisions on the outcome of the battle, which was influenced by the Second Battle of Bull Run and the Battle of Antietam. Throughout the novel, Shaara weaves together historical facts and fictionalized accounts to create a compelling narrative, drawing on the works of historians such as Bruce Catton and Shelby Foote.

Characters

The characters in The Killer Angels are largely based on real historical figures, including Robert E. Lee, Joshua Chamberlain, and John Buford. The novel explores the motivations, emotions, and actions of these characters, as well as their relationships with one another, including Stonewall Jackson and Jeb Stuart. Shaara also creates fictional characters, such as Henry Tremain and Fremantle, to add depth and perspective to the story, drawing on the experiences of soldiers such as Clara Barton and Walt Whitman. The characters are multidimensional and complex, with their own strengths, weaknesses, and biases, reflecting the diversity of the United States during the American Civil War, including the roles of Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Historical Accuracy

The Killer Angels is known for its historical accuracy, with Shaara drawing on extensive research to recreate the events of the Battle of Gettysburg. The novel includes detailed descriptions of the battles, the soldiers, and the commanders, as well as the strategic decisions made during the battle, which were influenced by the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Siege of Vicksburg. Shaara also explores the motivations and emotions of the soldiers, including their fears, doubts, and convictions, reflecting the experiences of soldiers such as Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman. The novel has been praised for its accuracy and attention to detail, with many historians, including James M. McPherson and Doris Kearns Goodwin, noting its value as a historical resource, alongside works such as The Civil War: A Narrative and Battle Cry of Freedom.

Reception

The Killer Angels received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, with many reviewers praising its historical accuracy, engaging narrative, and well-developed characters, drawing comparisons to the works of Leo Tolstoy and Stephen Crane. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975, and has since been recognized as a classic of historical fiction, alongside works such as Gone with the Wind and The Red Badge of Courage. The novel has also been praised by historians, including David McCullough and Joseph Ellis, for its accurate portrayal of the Battle of Gettysburg and its significance in the American Civil War, which was also explored in the Gettysburg National Military Park and the Gettysburg Museum of the Civil War.

Adaptations

The Killer Angels has been adapted into several forms of media, including a film, Gettysburg, directed by Ron Maxwell and released in 1993, which starred Tom Berenger and Jeff Daniels. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is widely regarded as one of the most accurate and engaging film adaptations of the Battle of Gettysburg, alongside Glory and Cold Mountain. The novel has also been adapted into a play, which has been performed at various theaters, including the Ford's Theatre and the Gettysburg Community Theater, and has been recognized for its historical significance by the National Park Service and the Library of Congress. Additionally, the novel has been translated into several languages, including French, German, and Spanish, and has been widely read and studied in schools and universities, including Gettysburg College and the United States Military Academy.

Category:American historical novels