Congrats to Jeff Shaara. I've read a lot of non-fiction about Shiloh and recently was able to visit the battlefield and cemetery. Thought I knew everything there was to know. But this is historical fiction by a master and really offers some unique insights by letting the reader inside the participant's mind. Don't read this and think you've got it all, read the non-fiction stuff as well (preferably first). But this is like icing on the cake. ( )

Alternating perspectives from high-ranking generals to front-line infantrymen, Shaara depicts the fear and fury that the Federal and Confederate soldiers endured during this deadly Civil War battle. ( )

Jeff Shaara recounts the horrific Battle of Shiloh in the American Civil War. Although this is a novel, it appears realistic and meticulously researched. As a novel, the author is able to humanize the historical characters by addition of dialogue. this adds to the reader's enjoyment. The irritant for me was that this book had too many in depth descriptions of battle movements, action, hospitals and inner monologues of "is he going to run away or not?" That's just not my thing. ( )

Although this is a novel it is a realistic and meticulously researched book about the critical battle of Shiloh. The author provides sufficient detail about the actual historical bottle and then intersperses the facts with his literary interpretation. I would like more details about the battle and maps but of course as a novel it is not necessary to move the plot along.

Shaara is back on his game after the disappointing WWII in the Pacific attempt (The Final Storm). ( )