Starting to read this book tonight.

Amazon.com
In the novel Shiloh, historian and Civil War expert Shelby Foote delivers a spare, unflinching account of the battle of Shiloh, which was fought over the course of two days in April 1862. By mirroring the troops' movements through the woods of Tennessee with the activity of each soldier's mind, Foote offers the reader a broad perspective of the battle and a detailed view of the issues behind it. The battle becomes tangible as Foote interweaves the observations of Union and Confederate officers, simple foot soldiers, brave men, and cowards and describes the roar of the muskets and the haze of the gun smoke. The author's vivid storytelling creates a rich chronicle of a pivotal battle in American history.

Product Description:
This fictional re-creation of the battle of Shiloh in April 1862 fulfills the standard set by his monumental history, conveying both the bloody choreography of two armies and the movements of the combatants' hearts and minds.

I finished this book today. I like this book: it is a nice quick read. Shelby Foote follows 5 individuals (from both sides) and one Union squad through the Civil War battle of Shiloh. In the end, he communicates how confusing and scary it really was.

I think Shelby's writing is better in the Civil War, but I enjoy reading his other work!

Starting a bookring with this book:

1. Abecedarian - Clearwater, Kansas
2. Alanfoxboro - Hixson, Tennessee
3. Rob-B - Springboro, Ohio

Maild to Abecedarian via media mail today.

I enjoyed Shiloh very much. It should be read by anyone who wants a better understanding of what war was like for the average Civil War era soldier. At first I was a little put off by Foote's changing perspectives in each chapter. Then, this morning I found a passage that explained his choice. "He said books about war were written to be read by God Almighty, because no one but God ever saw it that way. A book about war, to be read by men, ought to tell what each of the twelve of us saw in our own little corner. Then it would be the way it was-not to God, but to us." That's what Shelby Foote has done, told the story of the battle of Shiloh from the perspective of different soldiers from both sides of the conflict. A job well done.
I'll Pm Alanfoxboro to get an addy so I can move this forward in the bookring.

I received this book today in the mail. Thanks to Rob-B for the bookring and to Abecedarian for sending it on. I will read this ASAP and post a review.

Shiloh is a wonderful and quite unique picture of one of the bloodiest battles of the early Civil War. Foote's narrative flows seamlessly from one character to the next while occasionally bringing them together in cameo style. As Abecedarian mentioned, this approach presents the battle in the confused, cut-up way the soldiers must have experienced it, while still giving a great feel for the overall event.

Thanks again to Rob-B for the bookring. This book is on its way home to you, pending an address.