[.uk] The Last Full Measure (ISBN 0345434811)

How the hell did it get this far?:
The whole thing could have been avoided if both sides had shown a little more restraint. But, it came to this. Jeff Sharra has written a superb sequal to his Dad's "The Killer Angels", and brought a fitting end to a sad story. I consider it to be a four book series, not three, as "Gone For Soldiers" is the prequel to the whole sorry mess. This wonderful book gives us the horrors of the last 21 months of our Civil War, told mainly thru the eyes of Robert E. Lee, US Grant, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. This is a novel, but Mr. Shaara has done his research; no errors that I could find \oaside from a really bad typo that I'll get to\c. Douglas Freeman would have been proud of this, and that's very high praise. Mr. Sharra gives us accurate battle descriptions, as well as a backstage look at the major characters. Lee was frustrated that Jeff Davis couldn't understand that \oa\c Richmond wasn't all that important, and \ob\c the jig was pretty well up, anyway. Still, he fought. There is a reason that the losing General is pretty much the most respected man in American History. The greatness of Lee defies description. Dr. Freeman came close, but it took him 2,400 pages. US Grant was also a great general, as well as a noble man \ohell of a thing for a Southerner to say\c, and he had more resourses. And, he was plain determined. The respect he showed General Lee is plenty of evidence of his nobility. And the glimpses of his family depict a decent man. Noble is a good word for Chamberlain, too. And brave. He hated war, but loved his country. The grace and courtesy rendered to General Gorden, alone, make him a gentleman. Ironic the parallel lives Chamberlain and Gordon went on to live...Governors of Maine and Georgia, and leaders of veterans organizations. Sad about Chamberlain's marriage, but Fanny really made him miserable. The side players get their space...the great Longstreet, the tragic Anderson, and Pickett. Billy Mahone, still fighting to the end. Probably not an accident that the Generals who went on to wealth and power kept their drive. Phil Sheridan gets his due. Yes, he had skill, and courage. But he was a war criminal, pure and simple. He wanted to slaughter our men for target practice after they surrendered, and Grant had to pull rank to stop him; and he still argued with Grant \oin front of our Officers\c about feeding them. The surrender scene, alone, is worth the price. Lee kept his dignity. And Grant was great enough to recognize the indescribable "something" that made Lee Lee. You really need to read this book, but only after reading the others. Yes, Dr. Freeman's seven volumes of Confederate History are definitive, but few will have the time, or desire. The only problem I saw was the typo I mentioned...in a list of failed Yankee Generals, "Pope" is rendered "Polk". Please. If this were non-fiction, that would be a fatal error. John Pope was theirs, a war criminal whose saving grace was his stupidity. Leonidas Polk was ours, had nothing to do with Virginia, and was a man whose personal greatness equalled that of General Lee. Bottom line: highest possible recommendation.

Less Than a Full Measure:
I loved The Killer Angelsand didn't really care for the idea of the son adding to it with sequels and prequels and since then a whole series of historical fiction. This book has far fewer characters and it is hard not to think that the views they express are tailored by history and 20-20 hindsight. With The Killer Angels, you really felt you were in the moment. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I feel my time would probably have been better spent re-reading the Gettysburg classic.

Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara shouldn't be passed up:
This book is the last installment of a three part trilogy, to give an over view of the characters originally seeded in Jeff's late father's work - The Killer Angels, which the movie Gettysburg was inspired from. This book, tells the 'rest of the story' of characters selected originally in the book of "Killer Angels" and brings from the point of the post Gettysburg Battle, bringing General Lee and his Confederate forces back into Virginia and to the surrender at Appomattox. I will also say, that again - Mr. Jeff Sheera's book is quite accurate when it comes to comparing with the Official Records of the Rebellion, the Official orders, transmissions back and forth-- It also plays a key role in tracking the amazing life and career of Lt. Colonel Chamberlain; through all his wounds and healings; the near mortal wounds and healings--to be given command, then promoted as a Brigadier General- by General Grant, to which was his first field promotion hearing how serious Chamberlain's life hung in balance--and, the later honor of being selected to recieve arms of surrender by the Confederates, under the galant General Gordon. The simple order of Chamberlain at such occasion; probably turned the course of emotions by commanding his Division to hold their rifles as a show of a salute. Grant in selecting this non-traditionally trained officer; who was to be one of the best by 'doing' and learning on the actual battlefield--to make real impacts throughout his military service. The book presents, in a beautiful as well as factual manner - how genuine General Grant and General Lee came to terms of surrender and how dignity reigned throughout the process. Lt. General Grant's making absolutely sure there would be no form of celebration, humiliation and at all times treat the Confederates as guests--from Vicksburg to post Appomattox surrender--is evident. This is supported by many post Civil War statements and publications. To, include Lt. Colonel Marshall who served with General Lee and spoke at General Grant's funeral in an eulogy. Without orders, General Chamberlain had the same spirit of intent-- both Generals support the intent that the Civil War was over--it was now time to respect one another in dignity and compassion. It is a book I would highly recommend. IF anybody wants the movie version to be published; in speaking with Mr. Jeff Shaara, who supplies his web site information and he does answer your E-mails; he cannot find funding for this last trilogy--so, if you good folks have ideas and sources--contact him. Hollywood won't give him the time of day, as it isn't marketable to them--but, to those who study history--this is an important work to be finished. "The rest of the story" should be told. If I had the money, I'd fund the project in a heartbeat and be happy to be financially poorer for the opportunity to see the DVD version of -- The Last Full Measure.

Gentlemen Warriors:
This was a wonderful read. I learned so much about the Civil War conclusion, until I read this book I could appreciate the real situation of General Lee's army, I always thought he surrendered because of a political compromise and to avoid further useless bloodshed but I realized he really had no choice as his army was practically anihilated in the battles of march -april 1865. I learned also the ruthless pursuit of victory of the Union armies under Grant, that ultimately decided the issue. Grant really pushed through no matter casualties or personal reputation, ultimately puting an end to the war and to further killing. Lee was portrayed as a real gentleman at arms, almost as a knight of old, personally I would have followed him, his tactics sometimes were flawed or his secondary commanders did not deliver but he was the real spirit of the Conferderate Army. It was very sad to read of the destitution of his army, no food, no uniforms, but great spirit. In the end they gave it all for Lee but were swallowed by the industrial might of the North. I liked the portrayal of Chamberlain, also a gentleman soldier, very chivalrous at the end. This book really touched me, it was not a dry account of battles or meaningless action but the story of real men, desires fears, the grandious and the horror of fratricidal war. The vision Lee has of himself charging ahead of his troops at the moment of his death will always saty with me. Wonderful imaginery.

A Truly Grand Finale:
I had read both "The Killer Angels" and "Gods and Generals" when I started reading this. As such, I was expecting an excellent book and a grand finale to the Civil War. Jeff Shaara doesn't fail to deliver and "To the Last Fell Measure" is an excellent book. It primarily follows Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, and Joshua Chamberlain. Naturally, Shaara would go through the months after Gettysburg rather quickly because Grant's Overland Campaign is going to be the primary sourece of action. I'm glad he did and he gives excellent views of the overland campaign. I could actually feel the frustration that Grant felt at lost oppurtunities that he felt were constant and Lee's desperation to turn back the overwhelming Union tide. I love how you can experiance it all and I enjoyed the time span from the fall of Petersburg to the surrender of Lee's army. Both sides are desperate with Lee trying to get supplies and Grant trying to trap Lee's army. I was sad when the book ended, but I compensated for this by getting other books by Jeff Shaara. To sum it all up, if you loved the first two books, then you will have to buy this book to complete the trilogy.