Shiloh

Shelby Foote

Save:

Find on Amazon

chaos of war

civil war battle

battle narratives

multiple perspectives

heroics and horrors of soldiers

vivid writing style

immersive wartime depiction

emotional struggles of soldiers

brisk and engaging pacing

historical fiction storytelling

complex emotions in battle

individual character experiences

diverse view of battle

'Shiloh' by Shelby Foote is a novel that vividly portrays the chaos, horror, and carnage of the Civil War battle at Shiloh from multiple perspectives. The author focuses on individual characters and their experiences during the battle, bringing to life the heroics, horrors, and emotions of the soldiers involved. The book is structured into multiple parts, each narrated by different characters positioned at various locations on the battlefield, providing a diverse and comprehensive view of the events unfolding during the battle.

Characters:

The characters provide a nuanced view of the battle, with distinct voices but sometimes lack deeper emotional engagement.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is modern, vivid, and immersive, making complex emotions and battle scenes easily relatable.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately portrays the Battle of Shiloh through multiple soldier perspectives, revealing their personal struggles and experiences.

Setting:

The setting captures the chaos and horror of the Battle of Shiloh, immersing readers in a vivid depiction of wartime.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk and engaging, though it risks emotional detachment due to frequent perspective changes.

The sky had cleared, the clouds raveled to tatters, and at four o’clock the sun broke through, silver on the bright green of grass and leaves and golden on the puddles in the road; all down the column...

Notes:

The novel Shiloh was written by Shelby Foote in 1952.

It provides a deep understanding of the Battle of Shiloh through the perspectives of various soldiers.

Foote's writing style is described as modern and engaging for its time.

The narrative switches between characters, providing multiple viewpoints of the battle.

The book is structured into seven parts, with each part narrated by a different character.

Lieutenant Palmer Metcalfe is one of the main characters, providing insights into the battle.

The novel emphasizes the personal experiences and emotions of soldiers rather than a God’s eye view of the battle.

Foote's work is considered a precursor to Michael Shaara's novel Gettysburg, influencing Civil War fiction.

Shiloh presents a mix of fictional characters with authentic details about the battle.

Foote aimed to depict the chaos of war from individual perspectives, making it relatable to readers.

The vivid descriptions of the battle create a dramatic and moving portrayal of war.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic depictions of violence and trauma related to war, which might be distressing to some readers.

From The Publisher:

This fictional re-creation of the battle of Shiloh in April 1862 is a stunning work of imaginative history, from Shelby Foote, beloved historian of the Civil War. Shiloh conveys not only the bloody choreography of Union and Confederate troops through the woods near Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, but the inner movements of the combatants' hearts and minds. Through the eyes of officers and illiterate foot soldiers, heroes and cowards, Shiloh creates a dramatic mosaic of a critical moment in the making of America, complete to the haze of gunsmoke and the stunned expression in the eyes of dying men.

Shiloh, which was hailed by The New York Times as "imaginative, powerful, filled with precise visual details…a brilliant book" fulfills the standard set by Shelby Foote's monumental three-part chronical of the Civil War.

Ratings (2)

Loved It (1)
It Was OK (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (5)

What can you read after
Shiloh?

About the Author:

Shelby Foote was an American historian and novelist. He was born on November 7, 1916, in Greenville, Mississippi, and attended school there until he entered the University of North Carolina. During World War II he served as a captain of…

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.