Gone for Soldiers
by Jeff Shaara
On This Page
Description
Fiction. Literature. Thriller. Historical Fiction. HTML:In Gone for Soldiers, Jeff Shaara carries us back 15 years before the momentous conflict he has so brilliantly chronicled, to a time when the Civil War's most familiar names are fighting for another cause, junior officers marching under the same flag in an unfamiliar land, experiencing combat for the first time in the Mexican-American War.In March 1847, 8,000 soldiers landed on the beaches of Vera Cruz, led by the army's commanding show more general, Winfield Scott-a heroic veteran of the War of 1812, short tempered, vain, and nostalgic for the glories of his youth. At his right hand is Robert E. Lee, a forty year-old engineer, a dignified, serious man who has never seen combat.
In vivid prose that illuminates the dark psychology of soldiers trapped behind enemy lines, Jeff Shaara brings to life the familiar characters, the stunning triumphs and soul-crushing defeats of this fascinating, long-forgotten war. show less
Tags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
A prequel of sorts to the Gods and Generals/Killer Angels/Last Full Measure of Devotion Civil War trilogy by the father son salvo of Michael and Jeff Shaara, Gone for Soldiers takes place during the Mexican War of the mid-1840s. This war also introduced to the battlefield many persons who would gain fame on our own front lines in the very near future, and who were at least mentioned in this book. However, this book might also be subtitled Captain Robert E. Lee Gets On the Job Training Under the Tutelage of General Winfield Scott, as it almost seems that the story is told through the relationships between these two officers. Most of the story, in fact, is devoted to that.
Having said that, it is still a very good read, does not shy away show more from the sometimes harmful jealousies among ranking officers, and this reader appreciated the fact that it deals with a subject most historical fiction writers seem to avoid. The description of combat can occasionally get a bit tedious, Jeff Shaara clearly shows his disdain for Santa Anna (and well deserved, in my opinion), but all-in-all, if you are into this genre, it is time well invested. show less
Having said that, it is still a very good read, does not shy away show more from the sometimes harmful jealousies among ranking officers, and this reader appreciated the fact that it deals with a subject most historical fiction writers seem to avoid. The description of combat can occasionally get a bit tedious, Jeff Shaara clearly shows his disdain for Santa Anna (and well deserved, in my opinion), but all-in-all, if you are into this genre, it is time well invested. show less
Topic could be extremely interesting, but this isn't necessarily the author to do it. Storyline moves very slowly in the first half of the book IMO, with a huge amount of repetitive navel gazing from RE Lee. Tempo increases as the campaign progresses, and there are some incredible battle scenes.
Characterizations are rather one sided, and I prefer a more factual rendering of the situation. Overall a decent book and always love the maps, which are simple but incredibly useful
Characterizations are rather one sided, and I prefer a more factual rendering of the situation. Overall a decent book and always love the maps, which are simple but incredibly useful
Another fine historical novel by Jeff Shaara, whom I always enjoy. And how many novels about the Mexican-American War are there?! Are there any?! (And remember The Alamo took place long before the War). Most of the chapters are about Winfield Scott (as should be) and Robert E Lee, then a youngish engineer. He became a member of Scott's staff and his chief scout, having a large influence on Scott. There are other characters, including several future Civil War leaders. The story is interesting and well-written, as all of Shaara's books are, as well as historically accurate. Very little is written about the Mexican-American War, and this makes you want to read up more on it. I'm sure most people today don't even know that there was a war show more between the U.S. and Mexico. This is one of Shaara's earlier books (from 2000), but I recommend finding a copy and enjoying it. And previous knowledge of the War is not necessary! show less
I have read all of Mr. Shaara's novels, this one is a bit below them since it does not flow as smooth, and I got the feeling that he took too much "liberties" with the characters. There is no way for us to know exactly what was said, and who was thinking what, but I felt he went a little beyond his "Gods and Generals", and "The Last Full Measure" being much more free with historical characters.
Mr. Shaara did justice to General Scott, who to this day does not get the credit he deserved, but I think he got a bit confused with the character of R.E. Lee in his youth.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading the book and if you enjoyed this author's previous works, you'll enjoy this one also.
Mr. Shaara did justice to General Scott, who to this day does not get the credit he deserved, but I think he got a bit confused with the character of R.E. Lee in his youth.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading the book and if you enjoyed this author's previous works, you'll enjoy this one also.
This novel of the Mexican War focuses on Winfield Scott and Robert E. Lee. Shaara also highlights Jackson, Longstreet, Grant, Johnston, and others. It's captivating. I especially enjoyed the insight into Lee's earlier years as a soldier and the dynamics of strategy between the earliest West Point officers and Santa Anna's old-style European approach.
Like Killer Angels, this is a personal look at the conduct of the War with Mexico, particularly focused on the young leaders that would be critical in the US Civil War. An excellent overview of the war without being too detailed. Like Shaara's other books, this is a personal view of warfare, with emphasis on the warfare.
Very interesting account of the US - Mexican war that took place just before our own civil war. I especially enjoyed the author's accounting of what happened to each of the principal characters afterwards. I was a bit surprised there was nothing mentioned of the famous "boy heroes", Mexican cadets, that lost their lives when Chapultepec fell.
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
33+ Works 18,463 Members
Jeff Shaara was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on February 21, 1952. He received a degree in criminology from Florida State University in 1974. He was a professional dealer in rare coins for many years and operated his own business in Tampa until the death of his father, Michael Shaara, in 1988, when he became actively involved in the elder show more Shaara's literary estate. He continued his father's work by researching the history of the characters his father had brought to life in The Killer Angels, and in 1996 his prequel, Gods and Generals, was published. The book was awarded the American Library Association's Boyd Award for Excellence in Military Fiction and was adapted into a motion picture in 2003. His other works include The Last Full Measure, Rise to Rebellion, The Glorious Cause, The Steel Wave, No Less Than Victory, The Final Storm, A Blaze of Glory, A Chain of Thunder, The Smoke at Dawn, and The Fateful Lightning. He received another Boyd Award for To the Last Man. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Some Editions
Work Relationships
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Gone for Soldiers
- Original publication date
- 2000
- People/Characters
- P. G. T. Beauregard (US Army | Lieutenant); George Cadwalader (US Army | Brigadier General); Calhoun (US Army | Sergeant); David Conner; Dunnigan (US Army | Sergeant); Fitzwalter (show all 30); Ulysses S. Grant (US Army | Lieutenant); Stonewall Jackson; Joseph E. Johnston (US Army | Captain); Robert E. Lee (US Army | Captain); Sydney Smith Lee (US Navy | Lieutenant); James Longstreet (US Army | Lieutenant); John Magruder (US Army | Captain); Jose Morales (Mexican Army | General); Robert Patterson (US Army | Major General); Matthew Calbraith Perry; George E. Pickett (US Army | Lieutenant); Franklin Pierce (US Army | Brigadier General); Gideon J. Pillow (US Army | Major General); Bennett Riley (US Army | Colonel); Antonio López de Santa Anna (Mexican Army | General); Henry Scott (US Army | Major); Winfield Scott (US Army | Major General); James Shields (US Army | Brigadier General); Persifor Smith (US Army | General); Francis Taylor (US Army | Captain); Thorsby; Nicholas P. Trist (US State Department | Chief Clerk); David Twiggs (US Army | Brigadier General); William Worth (US Army | Major General)
- Important places
- Veracruz, Mexico; San Juan de Uloa, Veracruz, Mexico; Cerro Gordo, Veracruz, Mexico; El Telegrafo, Veracruz, Mexico; Atalaya, Veracruz, Mexico; Perote, Veracruz, Mexico (show all 11); Mexico City, Mexico; Padierna, Mexico City, Mexico; Churubusco, Mexico City, Mexico; El Molino del Rey, Mexico City, Mexico; Chapultepec Castle, Mexico City, Mexico
- Important events
- Mexican-American War (1846 | 1848); Siege of Veracruz (1847-03-09 | 1847-03-29); Battle of Cerro Gordo (1847); Capture of Perote (1847); Battle of Contreras (1847); Battle of Churubusco (1847) (show all 9); Battle of Mexico City (1847); Battle of Molino del Rey (1847); Battle of Chapultepec (1847)
- Epigraph
- Where have all the young men gone? Gone for soldiers, every one...
-Pete Seeger
"Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" - Dedication
- To my friend Ralph Johnson, who for thirty years has been my Winfield Scott
- First words
- In 1844 the United States is very much a nation feeling its youth. (Introduction)
They had sailed early, cutting southward through the quiet water, the rugged coastline barely visible to the west. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But for now... I'd just like to go home.
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 1,189
- Popularity
- 20,867
- Reviews
- 15
- Rating
- (3.91)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 11
- ASINs
- 6