Rating: 
Summary: Informative, compassionate, and, above all, honest.
Review: This biography of Maj. Genl. Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is a wonderful biography because it is everything that its subject was; informative, compassionate, and, above all, honest. An honest book about an honest man, you cannot help but be affected by it, and him.
Rating:
Summary: "My favorite character/hero of the Civil War"
Review: This book does an amazing and complete job of allowing us to follow the story of Maj.Gen. J.L.Chamberlain. It is very informative, descriptive, and moving, and includes some great photos, quotes, and helpful maps to guide you through the story. I've never felt closer to a person through a book before, until this one, and was sad to have finished it. I may have to revisit his story again, and many more times thereafter.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Masterpiece..
Review: This is an excellent biography of a true American hero. Chamberlain was a professor in Maine when the American Civil War broke out. He joined the Union and was given control of the 20th Maine regiment. Throughout the war he was given much praise and recognition.This book gives an excellent account of Chamberlain's personal life. There is so much more to respect in Chamberlain than what was shown in Gettysburg (the movie) If you liked the movie.. it's a must that you read this book! I really liked the fact that so many different approaches were taken, by the author, in giving us a clear picture of Chamberlain's life. She writes from a military history perspective and a more personal approach. You come away from this book having an excellent understanding of everything this man was and all that he was involved with. I was extremely touched by the various letters written to his wife.. especially when he lay on his potential death bed in 1864. His extreme will to live, recover, and to fight on will inspire you. If your looking for an inspiring book or a hero.. this is the book. If you enjoy history.. this is your book. You will fly through it and enjoy every minute of it. Even if your just looking for a good read... this is it. Add this to your collection! Don't mind the cost because it is well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Absolute Masterpiece..
Review: This is an excellent biography of a true American hero. Chamberlain was a professor in Maine when the American Civil War broke out. He joined the Union and was given control of the 20th Maine regiment. Throughout the war he was given much praise and recognition. This book gives an excellent account of Chamberlain's personal life. There is so much more to respect in Chamberlain than what was shown in Gettysburg (the movie) If you liked the movie.. it's a must that you read this book! I really liked the fact that so many different approaches were taken, by the author, in giving us a clear picture of Chamberlain's life. She writes from a military history perspective and a more personal approach. You come away from this book having an excellent understanding of everything this man was and all that he was involved with. I was extremely touched by the various letters written to his wife.. especially when he lay on his potential death bed in 1864. His extreme will to live, recover, and to fight on will inspire you. If your looking for an inspiring book or a hero.. this is the book. If you enjoy history.. this is your book. You will fly through it and enjoy every minute of it. Even if your just looking for a good read... this is it. Add this to your collection! Don't mind the cost because it is well worth it.
Rating: 
Summary: Solid and gripping
Review: This is by far the most readable and accurate of the many Chamberlain biographies. Chamberlain's historical significance had been buried since his death and only resurrected in the 1991 film, "Gettysburg." Trulock is an inventive and gifted writer with a flair for research and unearthing some hitherto unknown facts about her subject. The strong suit of this biography is its focus on the personal side of JLC. There is much engrossing material about his marriage with Fanny and her estrangement from her husband following his Petersburg wound. Here was a woman who had been so prim and proper before marriage that she wished to put off a marital union. She had transformed herself into the type of lady who would dump their hero husband because of grievous wounds that prevented him from enjoying "horizontal refreshments" much after 1865. Go figure! Trulock's book flows nicely and balances JLC's professional and military accomplishments with the personal aspects of his character. If you are a novice of the civil war or Chamberlain, this book is a must read, but it's also enlightening for those who have a broader understanding of the war. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: A great book about a fascinating American hero.
Review: This is one of those rare books that you find hard to put down once you open the cover! Trulock's attention to detail, and her liberal use of Chamberlain quotes, brings this book alive and draws you into the action and into the mind of this poetic, intelligent, citizen soldier. I'm amazed that this fascinating man was almost lost to history, but thanks to authors like Alice Rains Trulock he is regaining his rightful place in American history.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written Biography
Review: This is wonderful writing on a great man. Joshua L Chamberlain seems to be one of the least likely men of his era to have become a war hero; he was gentle, unassuming and almost academically cloistered. His decision to join the Army was of course patriotic, but JLC gave up more than many men who joined. He had just been promoted to a prestigious and newly created European Studies Chair at Bowdoin, the acceptance of which not only carried with it tenure, but an all-expense paid, 2 year tour of Europe. He saw his duty elsewhere, and took part in raising the 20th Maine, which became a legend under his and others' leadership. The book magnificently details their deeds and JLC's rise to General Officer in the U.S. Army. At the end of this great story, regardless of ones preconceived notions about Blue or Gray, the reader will be pleased to have 'known' General Chamberlain.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written Biography
Review: This is wonderful writing on a great man. Joshua L Chamberlain seems to be one of the least likely men of his era to have become a war hero; he was gentle, unassuming and almost academically cloistered. His decision to join the Army was of course patriotic, but JLC gave up more than many men who joined. He had just been promoted to a prestigious and newly created European Studies Chair at Bowdoin, the acceptance of which not only carried with it tenure, but an all-expense paid, 2 year tour of Europe. He saw his duty elsewhere, and took part in raising the 20th Maine, which became a legend under his and others' leadership. The book magnificently details their deeds and JLC's rise to General Officer in the U.S. Army. At the end of this great story, regardless of ones preconceived notions about Blue or Gray, the reader will be pleased to have 'known' General Chamberlain.
Rating:
Summary: "In great deeds something abides." Gen. J.L. Chamberlain
Review: Those interested in the Civil War are familiar with Gen J. L. Chamberlain and the amazimg events at Little Round Top. Many might not know the particulars of one of this period's unassuming but greatest citizens. This biography shows us, in depth and in a very masterfulful way, the fascinations in Gen. Chamberlain's character. Trulock and Nolan have produced one of the better biographies written about any person, and arguably the most scholarly work ever published concerning Gen. Chamberlain. The title gives a hint of the magic within the work. The amazing life of this man, and the way he was the right man with the right background and temperment at the right place and at the right time to shape the history of the United States and the outcome of the war does indeed seem to come from providence. One can only imagine what this country would be today had not Chamberlain been present at Little Round Top, denying the CSA the high ground. A CSA victory may well have ended in an eventual negotiated peace or many more years of bloodshed. Also, it was only fitting that Chamberlain should have commanded the troops at the Confederate Army's surrender, and it is likely only he would have ordered the Union Army salute of the parading southern soldiers as he did, thus making the initial gesture toward respect and reconciliation. Beyound the battlefield, Joshua Chamberlain was a unique American and an amazing human being of his time. His story pours from the pages of this book in a fashion which leaves the reader wanting more and in the end feeling quite close to the man. No one interested in the Civil War should go without reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: the best book I ever read about the Civil War personality
Review: Trulock develops the character and personality of Chamberlain--you understand him as an individiual and with insight into why people in this era fought and how they were changed by it. And, that they were not any different from ourselves.
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