The Killer Angels

Stephen Hoye's reading of Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning text captures the tension of war even more than the movie GETTYSBURG. As an account of that great battle, it is filled with the sounds and smells of a spring day at one moment, the stench of decay the next. Likewise Hoye's pacing follows the battle with confused but rapid energy at one moment, thoughtful stillness the next. Most striking, however, Hoye's characterizations ring with astounding life. Lee is ever the easy, grace-filled father figure of our imagining; Longstreet has a voice to match his deep, thoughtful misgivings about this engagement; and Colonel Joshua Chamberlain speaks in a distinctive Maine accent, just as one would expect of a Bowdoin College classics professor. Both Hoye and Shaara have clearly done their homework, creating a package befitting this thirtieth-anniversary edition. P.E.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

This PulitzerPrize-winning novel brings us face-to-face with key participants in one of the bloodiest battles in American history. Reader Christopher Hurt brings life to Michael Shaara's words as listeners examine the Battle of Gettysburg through the eyes of leaders from both sides. Hurt's narrative style never overdramatizes or overplays roles. He brings an appropriate wistfulness to his voice in the closing chapters as we learn of the hopeless feelings of Confederate Generals Longstreet and Armistead. The sobering reflections of Maine college professor turned Medal of Honor winner, Joshua Chamberlain, leave the greatest impression. Maps to help orient the listeners and better tape quality would make this a near perfect effort. T.J.M. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the Battle of Gettysburg makes inspiring listening. The account brings listeners into the minds of each of the generals, Lee, Longstreet and Chamberlain, and beside them in the battles. George Hearn delivers a colorful interpretation, using Southern voices for the Confederate generals and a hard-edged Northern cadence for the Yankees. Hearn's narrative stresses the dramatic events and is highlighted with excerpts from Randy Edelman's stirring score from the movie adaptation, Gettysburg. An introduction and afterword by Ron Maxwell, director of the film, adds context, as does an accompanying map of troop movements spanning the three days of the battle. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Shaara's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the Battle of Gettysburg makes inspiring listening in both the unabridged and abridged forms. The recent release of HighBridge's abridged version brings the compelling story to a broader audience. George Hearn delivers a colorful interpretation, using Southern voices for the Confederate generals and a hard-edged Northern cadence for the Yankees. Hearn's version is dramatic and is highlighted with excerpts from Randy Edelman's stirring score from the movie adaptation, GETTYSBURG . An added plus is a map that spans the three days of the battle. R.F.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine