The Killer Angels--Michael Shaara

**Book Club Pick** Traditional Civil War history is not my thing, due in large part, to its focus on military minutia and great men to the exclusion of other historical considerations. At the same time, however, I am greatly intrigued by the Civil War, arguably the single most important event in the development of our nation, as I believe that we are still dealing with its ramifications in this country today, in ways most of us are unaware. Unfortunately for me then, The Killer Angels, a fictionalized retelling of the battle of Gettysburg, focuses on great men and military minutia. My prejudice against this type of history, however, didn't prevent me from recognizing the work as a readable, well-told story of the personalities behind the battle and the significance of that battle in the larger military context of the war.