Killer Angels
History 1301
1. Were soldiers religious? What did they think about God? What sorts of religious viewpoints do we see in this book?
2. Why did soldiers fight? Did the motivations of men on the two sides differ? What enabled men to fight in the face of death?
3. What thesis does the author argue as to why the Confederacy was defeated at Gettysburg? What evidence does he present to make his point? Do you agree or disagree with him?
Trevor Jenke
Professor Lockwood
History 1301: M-W 12:30
2 December, 2013 Killer Angels Book Review
1. During the Civil War, there were two sides, the Confederate Army and the Union Army. While the Confederates fought for slavery, the Union fought for their freedom. While the Confederates fought for the continuance of state’s rights, the Union fought, the Union fought for what its name stood for, preserving the Union.While one side seemed to be more religious, the other seemed to remain rather independent . General Lee in particular is presented as a religious man with a streak of fatalism in his nature. He tends to attribute certain events to the will of God. This is first apparent when he realizes that there will be a battle at Gettysburg, even though this was not the location he had decided upon. Everything seems to be unfolding without much input from him and he thinks, “it was all in God’s hands”.(Pg. 111 - Killer Angels, Michael Shaara) Just before Pickett’s Charge begins, Lee repeats the notion that “It is all in the hands of God” (p. 317 - Killer Angels, Michael Shaara), although Longstreet, the down-to-earth soldier, pointedly replies that “it isn’t God that is sending those men up that hill.” Longstreet’s remark presents a different world view. Men do not march blindly to their preordained fates; their fate is decided by men who make certain decisions and have it in their power to make different ones. It is human will not divine will that determines outcomes. Shaara masterfully summarized
1. Were soldiers religious? What did they think about God? What sorts of religious viewpoints do we see in this book?
2. Why did soldiers fight? Did the motivations of men on the two sides differ? What enabled men to fight in the face of death?
3. What thesis does the author argue as to why the Confederacy was defeated at Gettysburg? What evidence does he present to make his point? Do you agree or disagree with him?
Trevor Jenke
Professor Lockwood
History 1301: M-W 12:30
2 December, 2013 Killer Angels Book Review
1. During the Civil War, there were two sides, the Confederate Army and the Union Army. While the Confederates fought for slavery, the Union fought for their freedom. While the Confederates fought for the continuance of state’s rights, the Union fought, the Union fought for what its name stood for, preserving the Union.While one side seemed to be more religious, the other seemed to remain rather independent . General Lee in particular is presented as a religious man with a streak of fatalism in his nature. He tends to attribute certain events to the will of God. This is first apparent when he realizes that there will be a battle at Gettysburg, even though this was not the location he had decided upon. Everything seems to be unfolding without much input from him and he thinks, “it was all in God’s hands”.(Pg. 111 - Killer Angels, Michael Shaara) Just before Pickett’s Charge begins, Lee repeats the notion that “It is all in the hands of God” (p. 317 - Killer Angels, Michael Shaara), although Longstreet, the down-to-earth soldier, pointedly replies that “it isn’t God that is sending those men up that hill.” Longstreet’s remark presents a different world view. Men do not march blindly to their preordained fates; their fate is decided by men who make certain decisions and have it in their power to make different ones. It is human will not divine will that determines outcomes. Shaara masterfully summarized