In the first novel of a spellbinding new trilogy, New York Times bestselling author Jeff Shaara returns to the Civil War terrain he knows best. A Blaze of Glory takes us to the action-packed Western Theater for a vivid re-creation of one of the war’s bloodiest and most iconic engagements—the Battle of Shiloh. It’s the spring of 1862. The Confederate Army in the West teeters on the brink of collapse following the catastrophic loss of Fort Donelson. Commanding general Albert Sidney Johnston is forced to pull up stakes, abandon the critical city of Nashville, and rally his troops in defense of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad. Hot on Johnston’s trail are two of the Union’s best generals: the relentless Ulysses Grant, fresh off his career-making victory at Fort Donelson, and Don Carlos Buell. If their combined forces can crush Johnston’s army and capture the railroad, the war in the West likely will be over. There’s just one problem: Johnston knows of the Union plans, and is poised to launch an audacious surprise attack on Grant’s encampment—a small settlement in southwestern Tennessee anchored by a humble church named Shiloh. With stunning you-are-there immediacy, Shaara takes us inside the maelstrom of Shiloh as no novelist has before. Drawing on meticulous research, he dramatizes the key actions and decisions of the commanders on both sides: Johnston, Grant, Sherman, Beauregard, and the illustrious Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest. Here too are the thoughts and voices of the junior officers, conscripts, and enlisted men who gave their all for the cause, among them Confederate cavalry lieutenant James Seeley and Private Fritz “Dutchie” Bauer of the 16th Wisconsin Regiment—brave participants in a pitched back-and-forth battle whose casualty count would far surpass anything the American public had yet seen in this war. By the end of the first day of fighting, as Grant’s bedraggled forces regroup for could be their last stand, two major events—both totally unexpected—will turn the tide of the battle and perhaps the war itself.
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"Jeff Shaara again brings an important piece of American history to life. Interesting to those of us who live in Nashville. Makes me want to go back to Shiloh and walk the trails. A must read for those interested in the Civil War, where we came from, and how we got here."
— Paul (4 out of 5 stars)
" It was a good person-centered introduction to the Battle of Shiloh "
— Laura, 2/7/2014" This was a typical Jeff Shaara book - well-researched historical fiction, in this case recounting the Battle of Shiloh. It was a bit slow going in the beginning, but once he started on the battle, it was a page-turner. "
— Janice, 2/1/2014" A well-written historical novel about an important Civil War battle. "
— Sandy, 1/21/2014" Definitely not as good as his Gettysburg books, or his father's. "
— Mary, 1/18/2014" I thought this book was okay. It sounded a whole lot like his father's book Killer Angels. It was pretty easy read. "
— Jill, 1/3/2014" Another great Shaara book! Interesting and informative reading that shows the multitude of difficulties in war. Also that everything is not as cut and dry as you might think. "
— Derek, 11/17/2013" Very disappointing. Too much pre-battle and not enough about the battle. It's good, just not as good as some of the other books Jeff has written. "
— Mark, 11/8/2013" I enjoyed this book as I have all of the Shaara books... keep them coming! "
— Greg, 5/9/2013" I had to stop reading it. I couldn't get into it. I will try another time. "
— Ginny, 4/29/2013" I'm such a history dork that I really liked this book. Even though I know the history of the battle, I liked how you could really feel like you were on the ground during the fight itself. "
— Deborah, 3/18/2013" Enjoyed it, as I have all the Shaara books. Didn't disappoint. "
— David, 12/26/2012" Slower than any of his previous books and a little boring. Had trouble finishing it. "
— Nevin, 12/3/2012" Feels like too many historical 'facts' seem to just fall too perfectly into place for this to be considered historical fiction "
— Katherine, 9/24/2012" I'll read anything about the Civil War. This story about the war in the west was gripping. "
— Siszurpicki, 8/26/2012" great study of the people behind the action. I'm not a civil war person so the absence of tactics made this very spray appealing. I don't live far from Corinth, and after reading this I may have to visit there now. "
— Steve, 7/17/2012" We spent a day at Shiloh Battlefield which made this more interesting. Fills in details of the battle but not a page-turner. "
— Craig, 7/9/2012" Good addition to a colorful series of personal glimpses of famous and not-so-famous Civil War characters--stunningly violent scenes that make one appraciate the actual trauma the country went through. "
— Vince, 5/15/2012Robertson Dean has played leading roles on and off Broadway and at dozens of regional theaters throughout the country. He has a BA from Tufts University and an MFA from Yale. His audiobook narration has garnered ten AudioFile Earphones Awards. He now lives in Los Angeles, where he works in film and television in addition to narrating.
Jeff Shaara is the New York Times bestselling author of A Blaze of Glory, The Final Storm, No Less Than Victory, The Steel Wave, The Rising Tide, To the Last Man, The Glorious Cause, Rise to Rebellion, and Gone for Soldiers, as well as Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete the Civil War trilogy that began with his father’s Pulitzer Prize–winning classic, The Killer Angels. Shaara was born into a family of Italian immigrants in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University.
Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.