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| The Last Full Measure | 
 enlarge | Author: Jeff Shaara
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy New: $1.55
You Save: $6.44 (81%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $1.55
Avg. Customer Rating:  (138 reviews)
Sales Rank: 41144
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 640
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 6.9 x 3.9 x 1.1
ISBN: 0345434811
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN: 9780345434814
ASIN: 0345434811
Publication Date: May 2, 2000
Release Date: May 2, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 How the hell did it get this far? April 19, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
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 [aside from a really bad typo that I'll get to]. 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 [a] Richmond wasn't all that important, and [b] 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 [hell of a thing for a Southerner to say], 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 [in front of our Officers] 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.
Last Full Measure by Jeff Shaara shouldn't be passed up April 18, 2008
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.
Fills his father's shoes March 17, 2008
Of course Jeff Shaara has big shoes to fill and I am sure is often judged on is father's success, but he would definitely make his father proud with this book. You can feel the war and get a deeper understanding of the people who took part in it. Rather than just names in a history book, you feel like you know them.
For similar historical fiction, but with a dash of romance, I would recommend Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia.
 Back to his best February 13, 2008
This is a great improvement on his "Gods & Generals" which suffered in comparison to his father's "Killer Angels". Now he is writing at the same level as his father and this book makes a fitting conclusion to the Civil War trilogy. The sketch maps throughout are most useful in following the action.
Great finish in an outstanding trilogy April 4, 2007
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I think this book, and the two preceding it should be required reading in school. I had no idea how horrific this war was, particularly more so as the brutalities committed on both sides were against our own. There were so many moments when I wanted to stop and cry for the loss of life, and especially at the end when the one man who was capable of healing the country and bringing us all back together as one nation, Abraham Lincoln, was assassinated.
The research was impeccable and telling the story from the viewpoints of the various generals absolutely fascinating. The honorable Robert E. Lee, Chamberlain (loved his gracious salute to the surrendering army), and the ever fascinating U.S. Grant.
One quote from so many in the book that just brought tears to my eyes: "Yes, it was horrible, horrible indeed. But he had to tell himself that, remind himself to see it that way. There was no sickening revulsion, no outrage, no indignation at the barbarism. It was just one more scene from this war, one more horror, one more mass of death, blending together with all the rest."
Highly highly recommended, and will definitely open your eyes to the horror of war.
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