FMZ0311

Among Shaara’s Best Works

Revisado: 12-23-23

It is difficult to believe that an author can put an entire war into a single novel - particularly when it’s about a single campaign. Shaara manages to accomplish this with his unique prose and way in which he is able to capture the essential dialogue of warriors and their leaders alike - without losing the fundamental nature of the fighters or losing grip of the story. We are not literarily-blinded by violence, nor is it hidden away in his stories - which I posit is extremely difficult in a story about a battle that revolves routinely around death in abnormal conditions. I truly treasure the morality which Shaara allows us to view the lives of these exceptional human beings (both American and Chinese) in a way that retains one’s dignity while showing us something in ourselves. As a former Marine Infantryman, I listen to this book once a year (among others of his) to remind myself how this country was defended by previous generations, and I hope to emulate this warrior spirit as I continue my own path in service to my country. Thank you as always for your well-chosen words, Mr. Shaara, and keep using Paul Michael to narrate these masterpieces - there is no one else I’d like to hear your works through,

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Long View = Home Run

Revisado: 04-04-23

Absolutely phenomenal production. The opening seems slow, but within minutes you find yourself on a roller-coaster through millennia. Well done to all involved.

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Shaara's One-Off Novels are Amazing

Revisado: 08-18-22

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy anything Jeff Shaara produces, his multiple series on the American Civil War and Second World War are superlative in the pantheon of truly authentic American storytelling. His ability to make the reader (in this case, a combat veteran) truly feel the searing heat of a war, and the inner monologue of strategic decision-makers make his stories almost impossible for me to put down.

That being said, his one-off novels are legitimate gems to me. Gone For Soldiers is without a doubt the first book anyone who wants to read/re-read his (and his father's) ACW books. You get to see a younger Lee, still making mistakes yet utterly efficient as a subordinate to almost everyone on a General's staff. We get to explore the mind of an oft-forgotten American military genius, Winfield Scott. The ability of Shaara to transition from tactical details of the battlefield to the ability of commanders to see the big strategic picture is masterful in the extreme. This is a similar pattern we can see in his other one-off books To The Last Man (a WWI Novel), and a personal favorite of mine The Frozen Hours (a Korean War novel).

Bottom line, this book is a wonderful read or listen. The ONLY flaw I've found with the narration (this is my nerdy side coming out) is that William Worth probably didn't have a distinctive Texan accent, as he was born/raised in New York. This is allowable in the need for the narrator to best distinguish between characters. Otherwise, Jonathan Davis is extremely engrossing. This book is one of my favorites in a wide selection of favored American literary classics. If you enjoy reading about the Mexican War, or the American Civil War, they seamlessly intersect here.

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A Sherlockian Multiverse

Revisado: 07-08-22

If the idea of Moriarty being the "good guy" offends you, just consider this as one of many, many alternative realities. Even with the character switch, the overall trajectory of the story remains true for many die-hard Sherlock fans like myself who love the Nicholas Briggs-directed Sherlock series.

Even if the premise itself wasn't enticing, this series was phenomenally written, produced, and acted. Every legendary story (and it’s characters) needs a different view from time to time, and this Moriarty delivers! Would recommend to anyone who loves Sherlock Holmes!

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