As The Last Full Measure opens, Gettysburg is past and the war advances to its third brutal year. On the Union side, the gulf between the politicians in Washington and the generals in the field yawns ever wider. Never has the cumbersome Union Army so desperately needed a decisive, hard-nosed leader. It is at this critical moment that Lincoln places Ulysses S. Grant in command–and turns the tide of war.
“I’m not concerned about General Burnside right now. I’m much more concerned with how far Lee will let us go before he does something.”
Jeff Shaara’s The Last Full Measure is a sweeping and ambitious work of historical fiction that seeks to explore the final year of the American Civil War. The novel, which follows Shaara’s successful foray into the genre with Gods and Generals and The Killer Angels, is a worthy addition to the canon of Civil War literature. However, despite its many strengths, the book is not without its flaws.
At its core, The Last Full Measure is a character-driven narrative that follows a diverse cast of historical figures, from Union and Confederate generals to common soldiers and civilians. Shaara’s ability to bring these characters to life is one of the book’s greatest strengths. He captures the humanity of each individual, revealing their hopes, fears, and motivations in a way that is both compelling and thought-provoking.
One of the most notable aspects of Shaara’s characterization is his portrayal of the war’s leading figures, such as Ulysses S. Grant, William Tecumseh Sherman, and Robert E. Lee. Rather than presenting them as one-dimensional caricatures, Shaara delves into their complexities, revealing their strengths and weaknesses in equal measure. For example, Grant is depicted as a tenacious and determined leader, but also as a man plagued by self-doubt and a heavy sense of responsibility. Similarly, Sherman is portrayed as a brilliant strategist, but also as a man who is haunted by the horrors of war and the destruction he has wrought.
Shaara’s ability to breathe life into these historical figures is matched by his equally impressive portrayal of the common soldier. Through the eyes of characters such as Union Private Fritz “Dutchie” Bauer and Confederate Sergeant George Skinner, Shaara offers a poignant and often heart-wrenching glimpse into the daily lives of the men who fought and died in the Civil War. He captures the camaraderie, fear, and sacrifice that defined their experiences, creating a powerful and evocative portrait of the human cost of war.
Another strength of The Last Full Measure is its rich and detailed historical context. Shaara’s meticulous research is evident on every page, as he expertly weaves together the military, political, and social factors that shaped the final year of the Civil War. From the intricacies of battlefield tactics to the machinations of political leaders, Shaara provides a comprehensive and engaging account of the war’s final chapter.
However, despite its many strengths, The Last Full Measure is not without its flaws. One of the book’s most notable shortcomings is its pacing, which at times can feel uneven and disjointed. Shaara has a tendency to jump between characters and settings abruptly, which can be jarring and disrupt the flow of the narrative. This is particularly evident in the book’s final third, where the pace quickens dramatically as the war reaches its climax. While this sense of urgency is no doubt intended to reflect the escalating chaos of the conflict, it can at times feel overwhelming and difficult to follow.
Another weakness of the book is its dialogue, which can occasionally veer into the realm of melodrama. While Shaara’s characters are generally well-drawn and believable, their conversations sometimes feel stilted and artificial, as if they are delivering grand speeches rather than engaging in natural, organic dialogue. This is particularly true in the case of the book’s historical figures, who at times seem to speak in a manner that is more befitting of a Hollywood movie than a work of historical fiction.
Despite these flaws, however, The Last Full Measure remains a powerful and moving work of historical fiction. Shaara’s ability to bring the Civil War to life through the eyes of his characters is truly remarkable, and his meticulous attention to historical detail is commendable. While the book’s pacing and dialogue may at times be uneven, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthy addition to the genre.
In conclusion, Jeff Shaara’s The Last Full Measure is a sweeping and ambitious work of historical fiction that explores the final year of the American Civil War. While the book is not without its flaws, its rich and engaging narrative, compelling characters, and meticulous historical detail make it a must-read for fans of the genre. Shaara’s ability to breathe life into the past is truly remarkable, and “The Last Full Measure” stands as a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his passion for history.