Gone For Soldiers

Gone For Soldiers is a historical novel about the Mexican War. Reading this book gave me great insights into the personality of the military officers who would later face each other in battle during the Civil War.

I really enjoy the way Jeff Shaara (and his father) write these historical accounts. Learned a great deal about the War with Mexico that I was not familiar with. Have read many of Mr. Shaara's books and have never been disappointed.

Jeff Sharra continues to write history books under the guise of fiction. He, like his father,studied the great biographies of his subjects, and his thus able to get into the character and minds of his protagonists. He has a gift for putting events into the perspective of the time in which they occurred.

This is historical fiction which is pretty close to history. I've read several of this author's books and have never been disappointed. This is a great and very painless way to learn history. Fascinating.

when describing the development and conduct of battles,it is excellent.. More down time than civil war novels, but fewer battles to work with. Very interesting to see the development of future civil war generals

provides terrific oversight into the war that led to our gaining what is now California and New Mexico. Was the "training ground" for virtually all of the great leaders of the Civil War...no wonder they were so familiar to each other in that bloodiest of all American wars.

Brought all the soon to be famous generals and presented them as Junior officers. We saw Lee as a captain who was not share of himself as a leader of men. Brought Scott to life as the commander who wanted to be a soldier not a political puppet.

Gone For Soldiers Great book and a must read for everyone to gain a better grasp on what made our country what it is today. Helps in understanding of what lead up to the Civil War as well... Both Jeff and His father are masters at their trade..

This book is okay, and enjoyable for readers of historical fiction, but the moments of humor or action do not completely redeem some tedious spots. The book focuses too much on Robert E. Lee, who isn't nearly as interesting a character as, say, Santa Anna or Grant. The book also ignores the battles for New Mexico and California to focus mostly on Scott's march, which should have a secure spot in history. Still, it is a good read, even if not up to his father's level. It is a pity the father was not more productive as a writer so we would not have needed the son.

Shaara gives us a vivid portrayal of a relatively obscure war and reminds us of its importance. The novel also provides interesting context for the crop of West Point generals whom we know so well from the Civil War. This is a fun and educational read.