CliffsNotes on

The Killer Angels

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Michael Shaara Biography

Early Years and Education
Early Work
Final Years

About The Killer Angels

Summary and Analysis by Chapter

Foreword
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 1. The Spy
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 2. Chamberlain
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 3. Buford
Monday, June 29, 1863 — 4. Longstreet
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 1. Lee
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 2. Buford
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 3. Lee
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 4. Chamberlain
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 5. Longstreet
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 6. Lee
Wednesday, July 1, 1863 — 7. Buford
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 1. Fremantle
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 2. Chamberlain
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 3. Longstreet
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 4. Chamberlain
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 5. Longstreet
Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 6. Lee
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 1. Chamberlain
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 2. Longstreet
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 3. Chamberlain
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 4. Armistead
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 5. Longstreet
Friday, July 3, 1863 — 6. Chamberlain
Afterword

Character List

Character Map

Character Analysis

Robert E. Lee
James Longstreet
Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain
John Buford

Critical Essays

The Killer Angels — History or Novel?
The Battle of Gettysburg — the Civilian Experience
Good versus Evil; Man versus Challenge
Questions as Theme
Emotions/Beliefs
The Lee versus Longstreet Battle Strategy Conflict

Study and Homework Help

Full Glossary for The Killer Angels
Quiz
Essay Questions

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How hot is Levi Johnston?

Sizzlin'!
Not bad. I've seen better.
He's taking the quick fame thing way too far.

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Summary and Analysis by Chapter

Thursday, July 2, 1863 — 4. Chamberlain

the Bully Boy nickname for Sickles given by other Union officers suggestive of his temperament.

the Barton Key Affair Barton Key, son of Frances Scott Key who wrote The National Anthem, was having an affair with Sickles' wife. Sickles killed him and then pleaded temporary insanity, the first time that defense was used, and was found not guilty.

the colors the flag for a particular fighting unit, such as a regimental flag.

red battle flags flags used for Confederate units.

brogans a heavy work shoe, fitting high on the ankle.

refuse the line to form a new line at an angle to the existing one so as to cover any flanking move.

right wheel forward like a swinging door, the line of men moves forward as if swinging from a hinge point in the main line, sweeping across the front of the battlefield.

mick slang term for an Irishman.

twicet twice.

shelter halves tarp halves used to make tents and shelters when setting up camp.

map error an error on the map shows the units on Little Round Top. The map shows the 118th PA on the top right. It was actually in the Wheat Field. The 16th Michigan was the unit next to the 44th NY on Little Round Top.


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