An Artful Story: Michael Shaara, The Killer Angels And The Battle Of Gettysburg

Michael Shaara wrote The Killer Angels, a novel that some consider the best fictional account of the Battle of Gettysburg ever written. How did Shaara become so interested in this battle and why did he write this novel? What books and historical events influenced him? Come to the Cheney Library in Hoosick Falls on Tuesday, July 9, at 7 pm to find out. Local Civil War historian and former Hoosick Falls Central School teacher, Michael Russert, will examine Shaara’s troubled life and his approach to teaching and writing. The program will also explore the differences between the actual battle and Shaara’s fictional treatment of the people and events that were part of the Battle of Gettysburg. The program is being offered as part of the Friends of the Cheney Library Love Your Library Series.
Although they were present, but not treated in Shaara’s book, the role of the local Civil War regiment, the 125th New York Volunteer Infantry and their involvement in the Battle of Gettysburg will be discussed. The evening will be both entertaining and informative.
Russert has a Master’s Degree plus sixty hours in Nineteenth Century American Studies. He is a member of the Company of Military Historians, a book reviewer on the staff of The Civil War News and has served as Coordinator of the New York State Veteran Oral History Program.