A Novel of the Battle of Shiloh (the Civil War in the West)

I really enjoy Shaara's novels. They provide a good amount of history surrounded by engaging stories. This novel was no exception. I had very limited knowledge of the Western Theater of the Civil War and this was a great way to gain a bit more insight without being bogged down in too much history an military strategy. Highly recommended.

AS usual Mr. Shaara has given us a meaningful glimpse into a few days in history. We get to meet many men who participated in a great battle of the war. One can read of these characters (except the fictional ones) time and time again but in this book one can get to know them as real persons and even get into their heads to see what they were thinking and feeling. The ability of Mr. Shaara, to bring the characters to life, is unique and gives meaning to this great battle in Tennessee. A good read. I am somewhat familiar with the battle of Shiloh and found the events as he described them to be very accurate. Duane Graham

The other books Jeff Shaara has written cover periods of months, or even years. This book covers a single battle lasting TWO DAYS. (Although it also covers the days leading up to the battle) Events are detailed, from several viewpoints, hour by hour and even minute by minute. If any literature can give you a sense of what it felt like to be there, this is it. The cliched term "Fog of War" becomes very real.

Along with the riveting account of battle, you also get the internal battles within the command structure of each army. There is plenty of detail about "The Men who carry the rifle", as well as soldiers on horseback.

Spoiler Alert! Besides details of the battle, the conditions in the camps of both armies, and even the food the troops were served, is detailed. Too Much Information? I don't think so, not if you want to get a sense of the conditions the men doing the fighting had to endure.

The gruesome details of the battle, and the aftermath, are told in excruciating detail. You even get s sense of something unthinkable to the majority of us who have never been in combat, men who were in the middle of the action admitting they love it, and yearn for more.

An intense but ultimately rewarding read. I am looking forward to the next volume.

Anyone interested in the civil war must read this new series. It is a series about the western front of the civil war. A little known subject. Jeff Shaara does a great job researching and interpreting the subject matter. He is good at providing life and realism to real characters and interjecting one or two fictional characters making their stories seem real as well. A Must Read!

A page turning story, filled with "mind pictures" of the battlefields with their dead and wounded, to the thoughts and logics of the generals. It is a sad rememberence of a time that split our country in half. A book for those who enjoy reading of the civil war and written well

This book gives a vivid portrayal of what both sides (North and South) experienced preceding and during the Battle of Shilo. The perspective of both the officers and the foot soldier are riveting and graphic. The battle conditions and the casualty toll on both side was incredible. Couldn't put the book down.

Jeff Shaara has an excellent command of language; he writes well. He has done excellent research into his characters and events. He brings history to life in a way that is fascinating and has the reader wanting more.

This is excellent reading for anyone who enjoys Civil War history. Jeff tells the story of the Battle of Shiloh from a very personal perspective that takes you inside the minds of many of the participants in the battle. It is both very interesting and, I suspect, very authentic in the material that is covered.

Jeff Shaara's historical novels are very exciting. With the dialogue and personal stories woven into real history the reader is treated to feeling like he or she is right there as things take place. Just having the sense of how things really were in the struggles our predecessors faced gives one a better appreciation for how our nation became what it is today. I can't wait for Jeff Shaara's next one.

As with his other novels, Shaara makes one feel as if they are "part" of the battle, part of the decision making. The descriptions of the actions and reactions, as well as the character descriptions, for both sides of the conflict are unique to Shaara books. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I have all the other books he has written.

Typical Shaara: well researched, good plot lines that are well presented and plausible. It does make you realize how much fate and randomness had to do with the North wining the Civil War. Had Johnston not been killed the outcome of the battle might have been different and Grant's career might have taken a different trajectory.

I visited Shiloh last fall and became familiar with the topography and lay of the land. Shaara makes the characters into live human beings - you will feel their passions for the cause on both sides and understand the difficulties caused by the fog of war. His meticulous attention to historical detail and the controversy surrounding this battle should serve as a primer for future historians.

I have read almost everything Jeff Shaara has written, including his novel of the 1st World War, To The Last Man, and have enjoyed each and every one, but aside from my favorite by his father, Michael Shaara, "The Killer Angels", this work, "A Blaze of Glory" has instantly become my second favorite Civil War story.

Well written. Brings the reality of the blood, guts, and horror of the Civil War alive. Shaara does his research in great detail to bring the battle of Shiloh to the reader. I have read several books about Shiloh and this is by far the best. I plan on reading more of Shaara's Civil War novels.

Very good read. Well written and enjoyable. (Unfortunately) I read book two of the trilogy first which made this one a little less enjoyable. My observation is, if you like Jeff Shaara's Civil War works, you'll enjoy this book but I recommend you read them in order.

I own every book written by Jeff Shaara and there are two simple reasons: a) I am a history buff and b) Shaara never fails to write a good solid "probably was" novel while educating on small, important details. I appreciate a writer that walks the ground and does his homework. Too many authors read a few books, browse the internet and put a "book" together.
Even for those who have never been all that interested in the American Civil War, the depth of Shaara's charactors and the attitudes of the times in which they lived will catch you up and cause you to lose sleep turning pages. If you read one, you will probably read all of Shaara's books.

In all his books, Jeff Shaara has an outstanding ability to bring battlefield scenes to life. In this opening book of a trilogy on the Civil War's western campaign, Shaara is at his very best, painting vivid portraits of the battle from the perspectives of generals, officers, and ordinary soldiers. His masterful writing allows the reader to experience both the horror and excitement of battle.

This is historical fiction based on solid historical facts that helps to put us into the battle of Shiloh on a personal level. Though details of battles are presented, the fictional conversations makes the novel flow smoothly.

Anyone interested in Civil War history should read this book. The character development is flawless, the descriptions of the battles and accompanying maps are excellent. Shiloh came to life, the horror, fear, nausea, devastation, valor and vainglory, all rolled into these soldiers.

In all his books, Jeff Shaara has an outstanding ability to bring battlefield scenes to life. In this opening book of a trilogy on the Civil War's western campaign, Shaara is at his very best, painting vivid portraits of the battle from the perspectives of generals, officers, and ordinary soldiers. His masterful writing allows the reader to experience both the horror and excitement of battle.

This is historical fiction based on solid historical facts that helps to put us into the battle of Shiloh on a personal level. Though details of battles are presented, the fictional conversations makes the novel flow smoothly.

Anyone interested in Civil War history should read this book. The character development is flawless, the descriptions of the battles and accompanying maps are excellent. Shiloh came to life, the horror, fear, nausea, devastation, valor and vainglory, all rolled into these soldiers.

Jeff Shaara's historical fiction on the Battle of Shiloh was an enjoyable book. He skillfully portrays the battle from the front line soldier's perspective and from the generals'views on the developments as the battle progresses. For anyone who has enjoyed his previous books, they will be very satisfied with this novel.

I have visited Shiloh twice. After reading this book, I am anxious to revisit Shiloh again. Jeff brought the battle back to life and I will have a much better understanding of the battle upon my return. Excellent writing ! Highly recommend for anyone interested in the civil war.

Purists and historians will find many flaws in Jeff Shaara books forgetting that they are books with a history background and not history books. Blaze of Glory is again a very pleasant readind of a well researched history background for a book that is difficult to drop until the last page

A great read about the titular battle through the eyes of the various combatants. Can bog down a bit during character development of the commanders, but otherwise an illuminating look at the attitudes and experiences of participants in this closely fought engagement.

TRUE ADVENTURE! I dearly love American history. I had not read anything regarding this particular segment of the Civil war! It was well written and fast moving. Anyone that enjoys American History will find this a fantastic read.Pass the word!

Sharra, once again, gets into the heads and souls of officers and enlisted men alike. This time; events leading to and culminating at the battle known as Shiloh provides much food for thought. For me -a Yankee- a fascinating and educational read. Before reading this book, Shiloh was just another battle on the long road to Appomattox Court House... not so anymore.

This book gave me a visceral understanding, that I had not had before, of the brutality and courage of our ancestors who actually fought and died in the Civil War. I felt that I left the book with a clear look at the character, weaknesses and strengths of many Civil War participants that I had previously heard of but with whom i had no insight into their lives.

i liked the book but have read many better versions of the great battle of shiloh than this one; even some of the actual history accounts were better written than this but it is still worthwhile to read for those who have interest in civil war battles & have not read any on that great battle

Straightforward, easy to read, history of the battle of Shiloh. Exposes some of the interesting details not generally understood by average reader. I recommend this to anyone who wants to start to understand this phase of the war between the states.

There are of course some literary license taken. At the same time it does give a person a good sense of what officers and the ordinary solder lived dealt with during the battle. As well what happens after a major engagement.

The best historical novels do not short you on the history but also give you a sense of what the participants in the event were really like. This novel does both well. It helps you understand both the political and military background of the battle, and it gives you insight into how the people involved felt and why they did what they did. Rather than being just a dry rendition of military movements and strategy, it brings the event and the people to life, giving you a much better understanding of the battle, how it affected everyone involved, and what its implications were. I really enjoyed the book.

As usual Jeff Shaara brings you right back to the civil war as if it was yesterday. He shows both sides Union and Confederate army's without a Blaise. If you are a civil war enthusiast you will enjoy the book.

I knew of the Shaara novels (Jeff and Michael) from prior works. This one lives up to expectations. I know so much more about the Battle of Shiloh now, which deserves much more attention than is often given.

Jeff Shaara again puts pen to paper and comes away with another well researched historical novel. Similar to his earlier works Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure, Jeff does a most admirable work, a novel that would make his father proud.