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: Excellent .... for 3 reasons:
Review: Trulock's biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is an excellent book for 3 reasons: 1) the man, 2) the times, and 3) the biographer.The man -- Joshua Chamberlain is a fascinating and worthy topic for biography. His defense of Little Round Top turned the Battle of Gettysburg, and his subsequent bayonet charge down the slopes and into the Devil's Den awed not only his peers, but Americans to this very day. The times -- the Civil War -- is perhaps the most important and interesting period in American history. But it is the biographer -- Trulock -- that brings this book alive. Her accounts are well-researched, well-footnoted, and read with an insight and flow. Her account of Chamberlain's stand at Little Round Top is consistent with Shaara's The Killer Angels, and goes into about as much detail. And this is why I, and others I expect, bought this book. Trulock mixes narrative, quotes in a nice way here. But it is not the account of Little Round Top that sets this book apart, in my estimation. It is the *rest* of the book, which places these and other events in context of his life and times. His childhood, relationship with his wife, parents, brothers, college, and post-war career are all well-told and add considerable and interesting information to this truly heroic American. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent .... for 3 reasons:
Review: Trulock's biography of Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain is an excellent book for 3 reasons: 1) the man, 2) the times, and 3) the biographer. The man -- Joshua Chamberlain is a fascinating and worthy topic for biography. His defense of Little Round Top turned the Battle of Gettysburg, and his subsequent bayonet charge down the slopes and into the Devil's Den awed not only his peers, but Americans to this very day. The times -- the Civil War -- is perhaps the most important and interesting period in American history. But it is the biographer -- Trulock -- that brings this book alive. Her accounts are well-researched, well-footnoted, and read with an insight and flow. Her account of Chamberlain's stand at Little Round Top is consistent with Shaara's The Killer Angels, and goes into about as much detail. And this is why I, and others I expect, bought this book. Trulock mixes narrative, quotes in a nice way here. But it is not the account of Little Round Top that sets this book apart, in my estimation. It is the *rest* of the book, which places these and other events in context of his life and times. His childhood, relationship with his wife, parents, brothers, college, and post-war career are all well-told and add considerable and interesting information to this truly heroic American. Highly recommended.
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