Killer Angels, Michael Shaara, 2003 

The Pulitzer Prize winning, modern classic about the Battle of Gettysburg and the personalities which met there.  In chapters focused on a single character (Lee, Longstreet, and Armistead from the South and Buford and Chamberlain from the North) Shaara writes in vivid prose of the exigencies of war, the impact of individuals, the chaos and bloodiness of battle, and the triumph of the Union in the turning point of the War.  Lee comes off as old, tired, and fixated on the traditional battle plans of the past resulting in the disaster of Pickett’s charge up Cemetery Hill and the South’s failed invasion of Pennsylvania.  Chamberlain is portrayed as a brave, creative, and powerful individual whose courage presages his honors in both the Army and Bowdoin in later life.  Longstreet is seen as the smart, insightful, and brave commander who must carry out Lee’s tragically wrong orders on the third day.  All in all, this is a terrific read and a fine addition to my Civil War learning.