by Jeff Shaara
First published 1998
The Civil War enters its third year with Gettysburg behind them and the Union Army struggling under weak leadership. Politicians in Washington clash with generals in the field while soldiers die without decisive victories. Lincoln makes a crucial decision: he places Ulysses S. Grant in overall command of Union forces. For Robert E. Lee, the Pennsylvania defeat still stings, made worse by losing Stonewall Jackson two months earlier. Lee understands the mathematics of war. The South cannot win a prolonged fight against superior numbers and resources. Yet he continues the struggle, supported by loyal commanders like Longstreet, Hill, and Stuart, drawing strength from his unshakeable religious faith. As Grant and Lee clash in escalating battles, two complex leaders emerge. Both men carry the weight of their armies and nations. Grant must prove himself worthy of Lincoln's trust. Lee must somehow achieve the impossible with dwindling resources and mounting casualties.
Genres: american-civil-war, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, military-fiction, 19th-century, american-history
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: complex-characters, enemies-to-allies
Setting: Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C.
Period: Civil War, 1863
23 pages · Audio Cassette · Books on Tape, Inc.
Content warnings: violence, war