Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- What—according to The Killer Angels—was the Civil War really fought over?
- How do the Confederates view the purpose of their rebellion? How does slavery fit into this?
- How do Joshua Chamberlain's views on slavery and racism change over time?
- Who is the real hero of the book, in your opinion?
- Why do the Confederates lose the battle? Is it because of their own tactical mistakes, or is it due to forces beyond their control?
- How do the British—represented by Arthur Fremantle—view the war? What do they find attractive and unattractive about the South?
- What are the soldiers' different reasons for fighting, on both sides? List all that you can think of.
- What does Buster Kilrain hope to get out of the war? What are his goals?
- What makes human beings "killer angels," in the words of Chamberlain's father?
- Would Lee have been able to win the battle if he'd taken Longstreet's advice? What might the United States (or Confederate States) look like today if that had happened?
- Why does Shaara use so many quotes as epigraphs? What perspectives are each of these quotations meant to illuminate (Southern, Northern, etc.)?
- What do you think about the Winston Churchill quote cited on the last page, after the book ends?