The Killer Angels
Score Classic
What it's about
The four days of the Battle of Gettysburg, from June 30 to July 3, 1863, told through the men who fought it: Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet on one side, and on the other Joshua Chamberlain, the professor commanding the 20th Maine on Little Round Top. Michael Shaara puts you inside their heads as they make the decisions that decided the war.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It's the book that has made generations of readers care about the Civil War, and it's as gripping as any thriller.
You'll love it if you liked
Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era, Lonesome Dove or All Quiet on the Western Front
Good to know
You don't need to know military history; the maps and characters carry you. It's short for a war novel and moves fast.
Quick answers
Is The Killer Angels worth reading?
Yes. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It ranks #184 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Killer Angels about?
The four days of the Battle of Gettysburg, from June 30 to July 3, 1863, told through the men who fought it: Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet on one side, and on the other Joshua Chamberlain, the professor commanding the 20th Maine on Little Round Top. Michael Shaara puts you inside their heads as they make the decisions that decided the war.
How long does it take to read The Killer Angels?
About 9 hours (369 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Killer Angels won?
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner (1975).
What should I read after The Killer Angels?
If you liked it, try Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James M. McPherson, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry or All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque.
By the numbers
- Readers93 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics67 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller23 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner (1975).
Where it ranks
- #9 of the 222 young adult books we rank
- #57 of the 763 classics we rank
- #184 of the 2,819 books we rank
Won
- Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner (1975)
Reads as
Epic
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