Killer Angels

Essay by EssaySwap ContributorHigh School, 12th grade February 2008

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Throughout the book Killer Angels the author, Michael Shaara, produces an image of Robert E.

Lee that is highly noticeable and reoccurs many times in the book. Robert E. Lee was the Commander of the Southern Army and probably one of the greatest military leaders in history. His reputation and his army's belief in him was conveyed throughout the book. In the To The Reader portion of the book Shaara said, and I quote: "I have therefore avoided historical opinions and gone back primarily to the words of the men themselves… The interpretation of character is my own." The author used information given to him from a first hand source to convey the greatness of General Lee. As one reads the book, many times it is obvious that Shaara is speaking of the men looking at Lee almost euphorically as if they were in a trance. He was almost like a god to them, and many times the views of Lee seem to be hyperbolic.

In the middle of a slaughter in the last battle, Shaara writes "…and when he looked up he saw Lee. The old man was riding the gray horse across the open ground in front of the trees. He had taken his hat off and the white hair and the unmistakable white head were visible from a long way off… and the retreating men were slowed at the sight of him" (352).

Men, running for their lives, given a renewed sense of strength and bravery at the sight of Lee.

His presence slowed them on their retreat. Once the soldiers had seen him, they stopped running as if to marvel at the sight of their General. The description of Lee is excellent, ------------------------------------------------------ Page 2 recalling his wavy white hair, which many men had heard...