Jeff Shaara

Reader Comments about THE STEEL WAVE: A Novel of World War II

Ballantine Books
ISBN: 9780345461421
(May 13, 2008)

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Here are comments from our group of Advance Readers about Jeff Shaara's THE STEEL WAVE: A Novel of World War II.

Jim Ross from Goleta, CA.

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
No, I have not. I have read his father’s book, THE KILLER ANGELS. After reading THE STEEL WAVE, it certainly appears that the “apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.” I may have to go back and read Mr. Shaara’s completion of his father’s Civil War trilogy.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
Many years ago, I read APRIL MORNING by Howard Fast. Other than that, Michael Shaara is the only other historical fiction novelist whom I can recall reading. It is not a genre that I typically seek out.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
At first look, I thought Mr. Shaara had found himself writing about an event that had been lately covered to death, i.e. the D-Day invasion by the likes of Stephen Ambrose in the printed word and the visual images of Saving Private Ryan and Ken Burns’ The War. But Mr. Shaara surprised me! His focus was less on the beach landing and more on the plight of the paratroopers who had dropped in behind the Nazi fortifications. I think his character, Sergeant Jesse Adams, is destined to become a classic in World War II literature. I found it interesting that the fictional Jesse Adams wound up in Santa Barbara, CA (Montecito to be exact), a location just south of where I live. I can completely understand how a World War II vet could have made a killing in the real estate market in Santa Barbara in the 1950s. Oddly enough, I was just in Santa Barbara yesterday and found myself parked behind a car with a license plate holder that read “Pearl Harbor Survivor.”

I was also impressed with the author’s ability to “get inside the heads” of the major historic figures like Eisenhower, Churchill, and Rommel. Field Marshal Rommel’s depiction was particularly enlightening. Unless the private thoughts and statements depicted in the novel are complete fiction (and I don’t think they are), they are testament to Jeff Shaara’s impeccable research of mountains of historic documents, letters, diaries, etc.

This novel has opened the door to a new genre of literature to happily explore.

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
Absolutely! My intent is to go back and read his Civil War novels GODS AND GENERALS and THE LAST FULL MEASURE.

Richard from Atlanta, GA

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
No. However, I have read THE KILLER ANGELS by his father, Michael Shaara.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Alan Furst and Ken Follett.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
I enjoyed it tremendously. I really felt I was “there.” I have been to Normandy and the book helped transport me back there in a whole different and meaningful way. I will definitely read more books by Jeff. Wish I’d had the maps!

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
Yes.

Sharon from Ogdensburg, NY

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
No.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I like to read Philippa Gregory.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
I thought it was a great book. Although the reader learns so much about the history of World War II, the writer has presented history in such an interesting style that even a reader such as myself --- who avoids war stories like the plague --- found the book fascinating.

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
Absolutely.

Traci from Gettysburg, PA

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
Yes.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Kenneth Roberts, Elswyth Thane and Captain Charles King.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
I enjoyed it very much.

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
Definitely.

Tricia from Davie, FL

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
No, this is my first novel by Jeff Shaara.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
I read Anita Diamant, Sarah Dunant and Geraldine Brooks.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
I have always had an interest in World War II. I did enjoy THE STEEL WAVE --- so much so that I plan to go back and read his first and continue the trilogy. I love that this book is told through the characters' points of view. This makes the historical information enthralling, and THE STEEL WAVE is a great read!

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
Yes!

Barbara from Alta Loma, CA

Have you previously read a book by Jeff Shaara?
I have not read any other books by Jeff Shaara.

What other historical fiction authors do you usually read?
My Dad was a big historical fiction reader and he introduced me to James Street, Kenneth Roberts and Thomas B. Costain. I also like books by Anya Seton and Jean Plaidy, which I'm sure wouldn't be enjoyed by men. James A. Michener was my absolute favorite.

What did you think of THE STEEL WAVE?
I gave it a fair amount of time, but the military detail was too much for me. I think men would be more interested in this book.

The book is not difficult to read and I'm sure the research is nothing but accurate.

Would you ever read a future book by Jeff Shaara?
I probably wouldn't read another book by Jeff Shaara.

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