The Fateful Lightning

A Novel of the Civil War

By: Jeff Shaara

Narrated by: Paul Michael

New York Times Best Seller

From Jeff Shaara comes the riveting final installment in the Civil War series that began with A Blaze of Glory and continued in A Chain of Thunder and The Smoke at Dawn.

November 1864: As the Civil War rolls into its fourth bloody year, the tide has turned decidedly in favor of the Union. A grateful Abraham Lincoln responds to Ulysses S. Grant’s successes by bringing the general east, promoting Grant to command the entire Union war effort, while William Tecumseh Sherman now directs the Federal forces that occupy all of Tennessee.

In a massive surge southward, Sherman conquers the city of Atlanta, sweeping aside the Confederate army under the inept leadership of General John Bell Hood. Pushing through Northern Georgia, Sherman’s legendary March to the Sea shoves away any Rebel presence, and by Christmas 1864, the city of Savannah falls into the hands of “Uncle Billy”. Now there is but one direction for Sherman to go. In his way stands the last great hope for the Southern cause, General Joseph E. Johnston.

In the concluding novel of his epic Civil War tetralogy, Jeff Shaara tells the dramatic story of the final eight months of battle from multiple perspectives: the commanders in their tents making plans for total victory, as well as the ordinary foot soldiers and cavalrymen who carried out their orders until the last alarm sounded. Through Sherman’s eyes, we gain insight into the mind of the general who vowed to “make Georgia howl” until it surrendered. In Johnston, we see a man agonizing over the limits of his army’s power and accepting the burden of leading the last desperate effort to ensure the survival of the Confederacy.

The Civil War did not end quietly. It climaxed in a storm of fury that lay waste to everything in its path. The Fateful Lightning brings to life those final brutal, bloody months of fighting with you-are-there immediacy, grounded in the meticulous research that listeners have come to expect from Jeff Shaara.

Praise for The Fateful Lightning

“Powerful and emotional...highly recommended." (Historical Novels Review)

“Outstanding...Shaara combines his extensive knowledge of military history with his consummate skill as a storyteller.” (Booklist)

“Readers...looking for an absorbing novel will be well rewarded.” (The Clarion-Ledger)

“A great accomplishment and a more than fitting conclusion to Shaara’s work on the Civil War." (Bookreporter)

©2015 Jeff Shaara (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Praise for Jeff Shaara's new Civil War series
A Blaze of Glory
"[An] exciting read.... This novel is meticulously researched and brings a vivid reality to the historical events depicted." ( Library Journal)
"Dynamic portrayals [of] Johnston, Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman." ( The Wall Street Journal)
A Chain of Thunder
"Shaara continues to draw powerful novels from the bloody history of the Civil War." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Shaara's historical accuracy is faultless, and he tells a good story.... The voices of these people come across to the reader as poignantly clear as they did 150 years ago." ( Historical Novels Review)
The Smoke at Dawn
"Beautifully written.... Shaara once again elevates history from mere rote fact to explosive and engaging drama." ( Bookreporter)
"Shaara's mastery of military tactics, his intimate grasp of history, and his ability to interweave several supporting narratives into a cohesive and digestible whole...will appeal to a broad range of historical and military fiction fans." ( Booklist)

An Excellent End to the Civil War

This is presumably the last novel in Jeff Shaara's Civil War novels. And it is the best of the lot.

The story starts with General Sherman, leaving Atlanta and beginning this march across Georgia and up the east coast.

It ends with the surrender of Confederate General Joe Johnston to Sherman in North Carolina.

The story centers around four individuals involved in this campaign, each becomes a distinct and real individual.

The narration and production values of this audio book are excellent.

Highly recommended.

WOW!! Just WOW!

I just finished this book-4th in the Civil War series. I am really going to miss these characters, particularly Sherman. I’ve always been on the fence about him but now I give him all the accolades he most richly deserves. Not only is he an American Patriot among Patriots, his brilliance on the battlefield cannot be overstated. He commanded thousands of men through the deaths of two of his children, was able to absorb these tragedies for the sake of those men and the Union. He is too oft criticized for his temper and his brusque manner…WHAT? As if a General should be otherwise. Thank you to Mr. Shaara fur giving me the very best of these last three weeks!

Another Outstanding Story

I enjoyed this book so muc, that I hated for it to end. Jeff Shaara knows how to bring to life this period in American History, snd those who lived it! Like his other works, I'm sure I'll listen to it many more times!

Fascinating, unable to put it down.

The insight into the campaign and the personalities of the conflict are illuminating. Great performance.

Outstanding series

I have thoroughly enjoyed the four volumes of the civil war by Jeff Shasta. A great historical novel that heads helped more understand the civil war so much better. Very entertaining and well read!

same but good

similar to others in series, but still good. tough to distinguish between these at some point.

Awesome

Another fantastic book by Jeff Sahara. Brilliantly performed by Paul Michael. Shaara weaves a magnificent book grounded in our history. Fantastic read/listen.

Great Read

Again I was enthralled by the sense of being there! Can't wait for the next

In a simple word...Amazing!!

Well done! Jeff Shaara in this final chapter on the Civil War in the West has outdone himself. The characters in this Historical Fiction have provided the listener with greater insight in Sherman's March to the Sea than could be received from more fact based histories! Again, Well Done!

A Great Story

It was hard to stop listening to this book. In all of these books I especially appreciate the thoughts on the characters at the end. We’ll done.