In Gone for Soldiers, Jeff Shaara carries us back 15 years before the momentous conflict he has so brilliantly chronicled, to a time when the Civil War’s most familiar names are fighting for another cause, junior officers marching under the same flag in an unfamiliar land, experiencing combat for the first time in the Mexican-American War. In March 1847, 8,000 soldiers landed on the beaches … soldiers landed on the beaches of Vera Cruz, led by the army’s commanding general, Winfield Scott-a heroic veteran of the War of 1812, short tempered, vain, and nostalgic for the glories of his youth. At his right hand is Robert E. Lee, a forty year-old engineer, a dignified, serious man who has never seen combat.
In vivid prose that illuminates the dark psychology of soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, Jeff Shaara brings to life the familiar characters, the stunning triumphs and soul-crushing defeats of this fascinating, long-forgotten war.
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I had read Shaara’s books on the Civil War before reading this book. This work was wonderful and insightful about a time in history that I was not familiar with. It showed how the lives and beliefs of these young military men developed. This book was impressive in its scope of how these men were friend and comrades in their early military …
Shaara has carried on his father’s technique and work of telling history not as it demonstrably is, but as it must have been, through imagining and reasoning out what famous men must have been thinking at defining moments in their lives. And he’s getting really good at doing this. “Gone For Soldiers” examines the War With Mexico, the American …
Author gives a realistic portrayal of the Mexican War and would be especially informative for someone interested in learning more about that war. Many of the young officers in the Mexican War were senior officers in the Civil War.
Wonderful description of the thoughts of a range of people involved. Gives a valuable picture of the issues of the day. I loved it.
After reading the wonderful ‘Killer Angels’ by Michael Shaara, I couldn’t wait for son Jeff’s books and have read them all. I enjoy the way fictional characters are woven in with historical characters and situations. It sounds weird but it definitely works. Would recommend any books by either Shaara.
Training ground for our Civil War is what’s this war is said. But Inlike to think it showed the character of the men instead. Author brings them to life in this book
The Mexican War in a “You are There” format. Excellent. The best in hostorical war fiction.
Excellent historical fiction book with a whole lot of real history being revealed. Any fan of history needs to.read this on the backgrounds of Civil War generals. Also sheds light on the true nature of Gen Robert E Lee. Do we really want to tear down his statues?
While being suspicious of Historical Fiction, I enjoyed this book which opens the window on the little known Mexican war which featured many of the main characters of the civil war a decade later.
great historical read
Powerful
It’s a good book for anyone who wants a lucid account of Scott’s Vera Cruz to Mexico City campaign during the Mexican War. My only criticism is that there is way too much invented character introspection. The author couldn’t possibly know what was in the minds of the historical characters involved.
builds on actual history
Perhaps the emphasis on RE Lee was a bit wearing, but gewnewrally a solid popular history of a forgettabble conflict.
Fascinating account of the thoughts and actions on both sides.
Good character development
May have gone overboard o some of Robert E Lee’s exploits and was somewhat biased for and against some historical figures, but a good read.
Fascinating
Everything this author writes is worth a read
Shaara does a brilliant job of bringing this book alive with his dialogue based on real historical events.