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Title: The Glorious Cause by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0-345-42758-0 Publisher: Fawcett Books Pub. Date: 03 June, 2003 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 (40 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: A better sense of history than psychology this time around
Comment: I wonder if I would have liked "The Glorious Cause" more if I had never read "The Killer Angels." Of course, the great irony is that Jeff Shaara has been writing his historical novels because of the critical success of his father's Pulitzer Prize winning novel. However, having read Jeff Shaara's prequel and sequel on the Civil War, his volume about the Mexican War, and these two novels about the American Revolution, I keep coming back to the conclusion that the wrong lesson has been learned from "The Killer Angels." What the books all share in common is the shifting of narrative perspective amongst key participants in the events under consideration. For the Battle of Gettysburg in the original that meant Robert E. Lee, James Longstreet, and Lewis Armistead on the Confederate side, and John Buford and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain on the Union side. Jeff Shaara has followed Michael Shaara's example in using the same technique, albiet by including many more characters who are often reduced to a single chapter to tell their story from their perspective. But an important consideration in the success of "The Killer Angels" was that it focused on a four day period. Consequently, we followed Longstreet and Chamberlain throughout the entire battle. There were not gaps of weeks and months like you will often find in "The Glorious Cause."
This becomes a concern for me because "The Killer Angels" was more about psychology than history, per se, detailing what these men were thinking during the pivotal battle of the Civil War. Most people who read the book knew the basic particulars of what the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac did from June 30 to July 3, 1863. At the very least they know about Pickett's Charge. When it comes to the American Revolution my historical knowledge is probably average, which means that "The Glorious Cause" really did teach me more about that war than I knew previously. But it lacks the impact of "The Killer Angels" because the story is full of giantic gaps. It would not have bothered me if Shaara had done more volumes in this series than just the two. Single books devoted to the Second Continental Congress writing the Declaration of Independence, the embassy of Benjamin Franklin and others to the French court, the failed defense of New York City, the winter of Valley Forge, or the siege of Yorktown all could have worked in a similar manner. This would be why "Gone For Soliders" is probably my favorite of Jeff Shaara's books, for the simple reason that it offers up the smallest time frame.
I would think that most readers will get a better understanding of how the American Revolution was fought and the changing strategies on both sides. But there will be a few chapters, such as Chapter 49 Morgan, which makes the battle at Hannah's Cowpens a memorable experience, clearly reminds us of what this approach to historical fiction can do at its best. We get glimpses of similar insights to George Washington and Nathaniel Greene, but the gaps in the chronological narrative get in the way of providing a complete portrait. Ironically, by the end of the book, I think we have a better idea of the mind of British General Charles Cornwallis more than any other figure.
Certainly "The Glorious Cause" is worth a read, even if you have not read "Rise to Rebellion" first, but the expanded breadth of the scope of this novel necessarily sacrifices depth. However, I am optimstic because whether Shaara continues to go back in history, to the French & Indian Wars or goes back to following up the Civil War by looking at either the Plains Indian War or the Spanish-American War, there is the opportunity to deal with a much more limited historical frame of reference than he has done to date. Furthermore, I think this could only be a good thing.
Rating: 5
Summary: History Comes Alive
Comment: In "The Glorious Cause" author Jeff Shara tells a fascinating tale of the fight for indepedence. In this dramatic and suspenseful story Shara keeps the reader on the edge, wondering what will happen next. The book is so enjoyable to read because Shara takes the reader into the minds of revolutionary figures such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Benedict Arnold, and Charles Cornwallis. In doing so, Shara reveals the personal, political, and military challenges these men faced in their everyday lives as well as the sacrafices they made in order to achieve success on the battlefield. By telling his story from the perspectives of the men who experienced the birth of the United States, Shara forces the reader to consider the complex world these men lived in before judging them. Finally, it is worth noting that Shara inserts excellent maps during his discussions of crucial battles. These maps guide the reader through the military decisions made by the opposing generals and illustrate the military strategies of the opposing sides. After reading "Rise to Rebllion" and "The Glorious Cause", I wonder which era of American history Mr. Shara will write about next.
Rating: 4
Summary: Too long of a time period
Comment: The book was very well written however it covered to long of a time period that is why I am not giving it 5 stars. The story was very compelling though. This series (including Rise to Rebellion)could have easily been 3 books instead of 2. The story could have benefitted from having more of adams, frankilin etc... in it and less of the time gaps. However I highly reccomend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.
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Title: Rise to Rebellion by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0345452062 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 26 March, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Gone for Soldiers : A Novel of the Mexican War by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0345427513 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 03 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
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Title: The Last Full Measure by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0345434811 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 02 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Gods and Generals by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0345422473 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 29 April, 1998 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: Shaara 3 copy Box set by Jeffrey M. Shaara ISBN: 0345433726 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 27 April, 1999 List Price(USD): $43.85 |
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