Rating: 
Summary: Excellent account of Gettysburg
Review: This book, distilled from Foote's excellent three part Narrative History of the Civil War, is the single best account of Gettysburg to my knowledge. (Incidentally, the copy I listened to was the unabridged version, and the descriptions here at Amazon seem to differ as to whether this is an abridged or unabridged work so be careful).Foote is a master storyteller, and listening to the gripping account of the battle in his clear, conversational voice made the words come alive for me, reminding me why I liked Ken Burns' documentary so much. For many, like myself, who own and have read Foote's masterful trilogy, perhaps there is not much new here that cannot be found by picking up the appropriate portions of his second larger volume. However, by listening to the audio version of Stars in their Courses, you can re-immerse yourself in the Gettysburg campaign, and listen to this excellent account of the battle, as well as the events leading up to it, to and from work in the author's own voice. There are a few odd details, like Foote's strange insertion of battle drums on a couple of occasions, which is startling after listening to hours of him speaking. Foote doesn't tell you when the side is over or when to change tapes, so you are always waiting for a minute or two to see whether the tape has indeed ended or a new subject begun. Also, since this is taken out of a larger work, occasionally we are introduced to characters that have been more presented, with biographical data, earlier in the Narrative History but not here. It helps to have a passing understanding of many of the key figures in the battle, but it is not essential to enjoying the work as a whole. Overall, these are trifling objections, and this audio book, at least in its unabridged format, is about as good as it gets.
Rating:
Summary: A fine addition to the account of Gettysburg
Review: This is taken from the three volume Civil War set that Mr. Foote has won wide acclaim for. Mr. Foote writes not only this work but all of his works in an elogant, easy to read prose that makes it a delight to read. He is accurate in detail, yet takes the time to give eye witness accounts to the carnage of Gettysburg. Having been to Gettysburg National Battlefield I must say it is very sobering to the thought of the destruction that happened during those three days of early July 1863. From the opening shots that started this battle to the end at Pickett's Charge, Mr. Foote gives the reader fascinating detail of the Generals who were in command down to the foot soldiers who fought and shed their blood. This is another fine addition to the works already written about Gettysburg. If you are impressed by this book, then by all means read his three volume set of the Civil War. You will not be dissapointed!
Rating:
Summary: The Perfect Shelby Foote Sampler
Review: This is the perfect Shelby Foote sampler if the three volume, "The Civil War: A Narrative" seems either too daunting or you haven't the time.
It's the entire "Stars in Their Courses" Chapter and part of "Unvexed to the Sea" from "Fredericksburg to Meridian," the second volume of the trilogy.
Simply put, it's the best and most concise account of the Gettysburg campaign you're ever likely to find. Foote doesn't overwhelm the reader the details, but instead, and with careful literary design, catches the ebb and flow of a great battle as it opens and occurs.
If you've read the trilogy, then you probably don't need this, but it certainly is a lot easier to tote around than the rather ponderous size of the others. Also, if you're quite familiar with Gettysburg, then Foote may not be anything new, but I do think his mastery of the language eclipses most of what's out there (how historians drain the life out of such an exciting subject I'll never know).
If you enjoyed this, I heartily recommend you pick up "Stars in Their Courses" in the audio where Foote reads the book himself. You listen to his voice and I'd hazard a guess that it's like listening to Homer read the Iliad or the Odyssey. Foote's melodious voice is mesmerizing and becomes a performance in itself. Foote deserves a 21 gun salute.
Rating:
Summary: An Engaging One-Volume History of the Battle of Gettysburg
Review: You may remember Shelby Foote from his sonorous narration in Ken Burns's THE CIVIL WAR. He is also a respectable novelist and the author of an authoritative three-volume history of the Civil War from the point of view of the South. STARS IN THEIR COURSES is an even-handed look at the three days' battle that some think was the decisive struggle of the long conflict. At least, it would have been had it not been for Lee's rapid, orderly retreat and Meade's disinclination to face him in battle again so soon. If the more decisive Grant were in charge at that early date, the war would have drawn to a quick conclusion. As a big fan of Ted Turner's GETTYSBURG, I was surprised to see that the movie took at least as much from Foote as from Michael Shaara's THE KILLER ANGELS. Foote produces a more all-encompassing view of the battle than the film, which omits Ewell's actions on the Union right as well as the battle's immediate aftermath. My only complaint about the Modern Library edition is that the maps scattered throughout the text bear no captions. The reader has to check the List of Maps in the back of the book to find out where (and when) he is on the battlefield. An index would also have been useful. But these are mere peccadillos considering Foote's high level of scholarship and engaging prose style. This book is a keeper.
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