The conclusion to the father-son trilogy does not disappoint. "The Last Full Measure" follows the characters from the aftermath of Gettysburg through the end of their lives. The reader feels the desperation and hopelessness of the Confederate Army as it runs out of food and men, as well as the determination of Grant and Chamberlain. Overall, this book is a fitting capstone for the trilogy as it carries on the tradition of putting the reader on the battlefield in a way that's clear and meaningful. ( )

Jeff Shaara wrote the prequel and the sequel to his father's Pulitzer prize winning 'The Killer Angels' -- this, of course, is the sequel and I thought it was fantastic. Whether it is because my interest in the subject matter has grown or an actual maturation in the author's writing style or most likely some combination of both - I enjoyed this as much as 'The Killer Angels' and much more than 'Gods and Generals'.

This is the story of the protracted end of The Civil War - mainly the battles in Virginia - The Wilderness, the defense of Richmond, Petersburg and finally Lee's surrender to Grant at Appamattox. As readers of the trilogy are now familar, the tale is told via alternating viewpoints from General Lee, to Colonel Chamberlain, to the new voice of General Ulysses Grant.

Perhaps because my imagination has been kindled by the preceeding novels as well as their excellent movie adaptations, I was gripped by these battles, seeing them unfold in my mind's eye, and often could not put the book down. I couldn't believe Lee and the Confederate army forged on in the face of starvation and overwhelming odds. There were many emotionally stirring moments --Jeb Stuart's last stand, Lee dressing in his finest to give himself and his men up to Grant; Chamberlain ordering the Union troops to salute the rebel army come to lay down their muskets.

I did think the prolonged ending cramming Grant, Chamberlain and Lee's postwar lives into a few chapters was less effective and took away from an otherwise superior ending to this collection. Shaara seemed to have found his stride though with this novel and I'll look forward to reading more of his work. I am also now officially hooked on Civil War literature and I do think I am ready to read Shelby Foote. ( )

Doesn't have quite the sense of drama as his father's 'Killer Angels', perhaps because the Gettysburg campaign featured dramatic crescendo, whereas the Wilderness campaign, the Petersburg siege and the campaign to Appomattox featured the relentless grinding down of Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Jeff Shaara tries to faithfully reproduce his father's writing style, and it largely works, at least in the characters' dialogue. Some phrases (for example 'He tried not to think on that') seemed a bit overdone. Still, a good read, and gives a good overview of the American Civil War in the eastern theatre. ( )

The Last Full Measure is the sequel to The Killer Angels which I have not read. However, this novel is capable of standing alone. It covers the last two years of the Civil War. Shaara has obviously done his research, and while no one can know for sure, tells credible tales from the perspective of many of the major generals of the conflict. Even though I knew the outcome, the book drew me along compellingly. ( )

Jeff doesn't write with the same enthusiasm or storytelling ability as his father but nonetheless he writes a good book. Not the best book of the set but enjoyable regardless. ( )