Jeff Shaara
New York Times-bestselling author of historical and military fiction
Photo credit: Olivia Cowden
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About Jeff Shaara
Jeff Shaara is the New York Times-bestselling author of Gods and Generals and The Last Full Measure—two novels that complete the Civil War trilogy begun by his father, Michael Shaara, with the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Killer Angels. His World War II series includes The Final Storm, No Less Than Victory, The Steel Wave, and The Rising Tide. Shaara has also written To the Last Man, The Glorious Cause, Rise to Rebellion, and Gone for Soldiers. In 2012, Shaara returned to the Civil War with A Blaze of Glory, followed by A Chain of Thunder, The Smoke at Dawn, and The Fateful Lightning—all New York Times bestsellers.
In The Frozen Hours, Shaara brings readers to the front lines of the Korean War and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Through researching memoirs, collections of letters, and diaries Shaara takes on the voices of the generals, the foot soldiers, and even of the Chinese commander, bringing to life the events of the battle through the eyes of the characters.
His latest books, To Wake the Giant and The Eagle’s Claw, are part of a gripping new series set in World War II’s Pacific theater. Shaara tackles a well-known story and creates a well-researched and evenhanded portrayal of the events that changed the direction of the Pacific War.
Each of his carefully researched books bring to the page a new way to experience military fiction driven by engrossing historical characters. In his engaging lectures, both in-person and virtually, Shaara details the attention and research it takes to write his critically acclaimed works.
A descendant of Italian immigrants, Shaara was born in 1952 in New Brunswick, New Jersey, grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, and graduated from Florida State University with a degree in criminology. He lives in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
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Speaking Topics
History Through Storytelling
In this engaging lecture, Jeff Shaara discusses his work writing historical fiction, and the intense research needed to bring to life each and every historically-based character.
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Video
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Praise for Jeff Shaara
Praise for The Eagle’s Claw
Compelling . . . Shaara deftly digs into the minds of the major players . . . Shaara writes a well-researched and evenhanded portrayal of the event that changed the direction of the Pacific War.
— Kirkus ReviewsPraise for To Wake the Giant
The run-up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor . . . is depicted in a thrilling you-are-there re-creation. . . . Fans of military fiction will find much to enjoy.
— Publishers WeeklyPraise for The Frozen Hours
Gripping, precisely detailed historical fiction… great military fiction… marvelously effective storytelling.
— Booklist (starred review)Praise for The Fateful Lightning
Outstanding…Shaara combines his extensive knowledge of military history with his consummate skill as a storyteller to vivify [Sherman’s March to the Sea]…The Union and Confederate strategies, tactics, and points of view are both represented, providing a measure of balance and clarity to a campaign that is often viewed through a lopsided lens. By concentrating on the western theater throughout this series, Shaara has opened a welcome literary window to some of the less familiar Civil War battles and campaigns.
— BooklistPowerful and emotional . . . highly recommended.
— Historical Novels ReviewA great accomplishment and a more than fitting conclusion to Shaara’s work on the Civil War.
— BookreporterReaders . . . looking for an absorbing novel will be well rewarded.
— The Clarion-LedgerPraise for A Chain of Thunder
[Jeff] Shaara continues to draw powerful novels from the bloody history of the Civil War...The dialogue intrigues. Shaara aptly reveals the main actors: Grant, stoic, driven, not given to micromanagement; Sherman, anxious, high-strung, engaged even when doubting Grant’s strategy...Worth a Civil War buff’s attention.
— Kirkus Reviews -
Books by Jeff Shaara
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Media About Jeff Shaara
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and Availability
- 212 572-2013
- Jeff Shaara travels from Gettysburg, PA
Featured Title
The Eagle's Claw
“An exciting blend of the big-picture strategy and intense human perspective . . . Riveting historical fiction . . . Shaara’s wildly popular novels about the Civil War and WWII extend the audience for military fiction far beyond its normal range.”—Booklist (starred review!)