The Killer Angels

Name: The Killer Angels
ISBN: 9781565111769

by Michael Shaara · first published 1974

7mentions

6recommended by

7HN commenters

2008–2026first – last mentioned

86% recommend14% critical

Why HN recommends it

Character-driven historical novel about the Battle of Gettysburg, told through its commanders. It offers immersive storytelling and serves history lovers well as an introduction to the battle.

Summarised by Claude from recommending comments

Fiction & Literature

The Killer Angels (1974) is a historical novel by Michael Shaara that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1975. The book tells the story of the four days of the Battle of Gettysburg in the American Civil War: June 30, 1863, as the troops of both the Union and the Confederacy move into battle around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and July 1, July 2, and July 3, when the battle was fought. The story is character-driven and told from the perspective of various protagonists.

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View on Open Library ISBN 9781565111769

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What Hacker News says

whatrocks · Nov 3, 2010 · Recommends

Rereading "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara - a novelization of Battle of Gettysburg. This is the perfect book for people who love American history, character-driven novels, and old maps (every dozen pages or so he includes maps…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗
Balgair · Mar 29, 2020 · Recommends

…Steven Pressfield STARSHIP TROOPERS by Robert A. Heinlein ENDER'S GAME by Orson Scott Card READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline GHOST FLEET: A NOVEL OF THE NEXT WORLD WAR by P. W. Singer; August Cole THE KILLER ANGELS: THE CLASSIC NOVEL OF THE CIVIL WAR by Michael Shaara The whole 2019 reading list is great stuff, top notch reading for any hacker or c-suite, especially the discussion guides: https://grc-usmcu.libguides.com/usmc-reading-list/discussion...
on “Ask HN: Great fiction books that have had a positive impact on your life?” ↗
jaydub · Dec 21, 2008 · Recommends

If you enjoy history you may want to read Michael Shaara's The Killer Angels (historical fiction). I loved it.
on “Ask HN: What to read during the holidays?” ↗
jsackmann · Nov 3, 2010 · Recommends

Yep, I love that one too. In case you (or others) don't know, the movie Gettysburg is based on The Killer Angels, with the same focus on Lee and Chamberlain. It's very long, but good -- much was filmed on site, and Pickett's Charge is done in real-time. Harrowing stuff. Also, let me plug the battlefield itself…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗
scottkrager · Nov 3, 2010 · Recommends

Great book! I used to love story format non-fiction books, and "The Killer Angels" was one of my favorites. Also, check out "The Longest Day" by Cornelius Ryan (D-Day) and my favorite one of his, "A Bridge Too Far" (about largest airborne operation in WWII). Just don't watch the movies!
on “Ask HN: What are you reading right now?” ↗
johngossman · Feb 26, 2026 · Recommends

…only source, but often make for easy insightful introductions and/or immersive supplements. I'm not even talking about "historical fiction," though some of that is also good. For example, the book "The Killer Angels" about Gettysburg, is sometimes assigned reading in history classes.
on “Those who can, teach history” ↗
ProllyInfamous · May 5, 2026 · Critical

…The bedsheet protest scene is embarassingly relatable and ... I think my pyloric is aching up again. ---- I've only ever started one Pulitzer (non-fiction) that absolutely could not be finished: The Killer Angels (although it was recommended to me by a former soldier who loved it).
on “Pulitzer Prize Winners 2026” ↗