Rating: 
Summary: Shaara Legacy Continues
Review: For those who have an interest in the American Civil War and in some of the more noted people who became involved in the conflict, will be able to see some of these people at the early stages when all fought on the same side. This "Prequil" to use the term is fitting for this book by Jeff Sharra. Gone For Soilders: A Novel of the Mexican War. Is a very insightful historical fiction. Though the story revolves more around Robert Lee, Jeff Sharra does introduce the reader to an early Sam Grant and James Longstreet. Like his father before him who's book Killer Angels brought to life again the battle of Gettysbugh as seen through the eyes of some of the people found in Gone For Soilders. The characters are well fleshed out and the story moves along well. It should help bring more people to read up on Pre-Civil War America and some of the men whos names are covered in this fine novel.
Rating: 
Summary: A very relevant book
Review: I find myself agreeing with many of this books reviews:
(1) The book does indeed ignore most of the Mexican War in favor of Robert E. Lee's role later on. The book really doesn't let you know this, therefore a neophyte to this war may think they are getting the whole history. They are not.
(2) The Mexican War does indeed oddly parallel the recent war in Iraq: unpopular and unnecessary to many of the President's opponents; it is ended pretty quickly, but many men are killed afterward due to guerilla uprisings; and maybe, it does the President in.
Still, I think the one thing people get wrong is the understanding that America just invaded Mexico for land. Sure, that is what Polk wanted, but he would have not have been able to invade had not Mexico been so aggressive and deceitful. Mexico started a war with the Texians and lost. Santa Anna, the ruler of Mexico, granted Texas independence; the border was to extend all the way to the Rio Grande. For nine years, Mexico seemed to acknowledge Texas' sovereignty, yet when the U.S. decided to annex Texas, Mexico suddenly took back its word and decided Texas belonged to them.
You can't do that. Mexico was wrong.
Now when Polk sent troops, he did NOT send them into Mexico like modern historians, liberals, like to say. He sent them into the Nueces Strip, a stretch of land well behind the Rio Grande, therefore, well into Texas' border. Whatever Polk had in mind for Manifest Destiny, he could not have done it without Mexico's help.
Rating: 
Summary: Expected more, but still good
Review: I think I expected more of the characters from the Civil War to grace the pages of this novel. The book is good, but a letdown after reading Shaara's Civil War trilogy. The subject just isn't as compelling. However, we do see the development of Robert Lee and we can see how the experiences of the Mexican War shaped his beliefs and strategies for his future role as commanding general for the South. Also, the influence that Winfield Scott has on Lee is strong.
Rating:
Summary: Do you like American History? Shaara is the best.
Review: I've read all the Shaara books and this one did not disappoint me (although his two-volume series about the American Revolution is my favorite). It is an excellent account of the Mexican War and includes a lot of information about Capt. Robert E. Lee's maturation as a combat officer under Gen. Winfield Scott, as well as brief looks into the early evolvement of Stonewall Jackson and Ulysses S. Grant. If you enjoy American History, this book, as well as Shaara's others, is a must for you.
Rating:
Summary: "Gone for Soldiers" is plausible
Review: Jeff Shaara has again triumphed with a novel in historical context. His structuring of what the main characters might have done and said within the backdrop of the Mexican War makes this forgotten war come alive. The best military novel I have read to date.
Rating:
Summary: Another Good Book by Shaara
Review: Let's face it. The Mexican War is not the best known or well researched war ever fought by the U.S.. That why Jeff Shaara's book is so good. It gives you a concise history of that war, and, gives you an opportunity to see the figures that would dominate the Civil War in later years. Here we see Grant,Lee,Longstreet and others working together, to bring victory in a common cause. The story stands on it's own, but, can be viewed in relation to Michael and Jeff's Civil War books, which they will be well remembered. The story never drags and the detail is rich and I believe, authentic. It is one of the best ways to read history, if you are not one to get into history. After reading this I'm sure you will have a better grasp of a lesser known period of American History and it will be joy to read. Flaws in this book? None that I can see. You will do good to read this book. I know you will not go wrong.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Read
Review: Like many readers, I was first introduced into the world of the Shaaras when my high school history teacher assigned us to read the 1974 classic The Killer Angels. Having recently followed son Jeff Shaara's prequel and sequel to the aforementioned novel, I have seen no less than a sincere attempt to bring people into the realm and mystique of 19th century American awakening.
Gone for Soldiers is a masterful work that successfully continues the trend of excellence begun with Michael Shaara. Through a unique and wonderfully woven story, Jeff again mixes creative thought and dialogue with the historical events of the time, this time focusing his attentions on the long march with Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Admittedly, i was somewhat cautious when beginning this book, never truly expecting it to measure up to the standards of its predecessors. In addition, I could not fathom how certain characters, most notably General Winfield Scott, could be made into interesting and sometimes awkwardly sympathetic figures. Shaara somehow found a way.
Two points of interest are the way that Robert E. Lee and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna are treated in the book. It was wonderful to see an American legend, so often revered as the most beloved commander in U.S. history, going through his formative time in the military, a young officer in his forties who couldn't possibly understand his future implications or impact on military and cultural existence. Following Lee through the book is akin to viewing the awakening, albeit a reluctant one, of a great military engineer evolving into a great military leader. A second notable surprise were the entries on Santa Anna, a figure whose very presence made his sections of the book true page-turners. In addition, there are the entries devoted to future Civil War generals including Longstreet, Beauregard, and of course Grant.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for its insight and its creativity - hallmarks of the Shaara tradition. I can truly state that Jeff Shaara has taken his father's masterpiece and turned it into a dynasty.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Read
Review: Like many readers, I was first introduced into the world of the Shaaras when my high school history teacher assigned us to read the 1974 classic The Killer Angels. Having recently followed son Jeff Shaara's prequel and sequel to the aforementioned novel, I have seen no less than a sincere attempt to bring people into the realm and mystique of 19th century American awakening.
Gone for Soldiers is a masterful work that successfully continues the trend of excellence begun with Michael Shaara. Through a unique and wonderfully woven story, Jeff again mixes creative thought and dialogue with the historical events of the time, this time focusing his attentions on the long march with Winfield Scott in the Mexican-American War. Admittedly, i was somewhat cautious when beginning this book, never truly expecting it to measure up to the standards of its predecessors. In addition, I could not fathom how certain characters, most notably General Winfield Scott, could be made into interesting and sometimes awkwardly sympathetic figures. Shaara somehow found a way.
Two points of interest are the way that Robert E. Lee and Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna are treated in the book. It was wonderful to see an American legend, so often revered as the most beloved commander in U.S. history, going through his formative time in the military, a young officer in his forties who couldn't possibly understand his future implications or impact on military and cultural existence. Following Lee through the book is akin to viewing the awakening, albeit a reluctant one, of a great military engineer evolving into a great military leader. A second notable surprise were the entries on Santa Anna, a figure whose very presence made his sections of the book true page-turners. In addition, there are the entries devoted to future Civil War generals including Longstreet, Beauregard, and of course Grant.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book for its insight and its creativity - hallmarks of the Shaara tradition. I can truly state that Jeff Shaara has taken his father's masterpiece and turned it into a dynasty.
Rating:
Summary: Vivid historical presentation, but slanted politically
Review: Provides a very readable picture of of Scott's Mexican War campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City. Shaara is clearly contemptuous of the then prevailing notion of our nation's "manifest destiny," and does not give President Polk and Zachary Taylor anywhere near the consideration and credit they deserve. The book actually belittles Taylor's treck from Corpus Chrisy to Saltilo, and completely ignores Doniphan's move to Santa Fe and then southward through El Paso and across the desert to join up with Taylor. Operations in the California region are also not menioned.
Rating:
Summary: Great history of a war that's been largely ignored!
Review: Readers will get an excellent view of the Mexican War and an introduction to the cast who would play such pivotal roles 13 years later in the American Civil War. The Mexican War was the training ground for officers such as Lewis Armistead, Robert E. Lee, Ulysses Grant and James Longstreet. Shaara's excellent research combined with an uncanny gift to put us inside his character's heads will leave the reader well entertained and satisfied.
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