Protagonist

Character Role Analysis

Joshua Chamberlain (and the Army of the Potomac)

Chamberlain is the main dude in this book, though Longstreet is also a close contender. Chamberlain plays the central role in the most crucial moment of the book: the defense of Little Round Top. After he repels the Confederates with the 20th Maine's bayonet charge, that's it: General Lee doesn't realize it yet, but the battle's over.

Moreover, Chamberlain's perspective gets the last say. At the very end of the book, he and his brother Tom agree that the war was always about slavery, despite what the Southerners said. The battle vindicates Chamberlain's perspective and his heroism.