Okay, so I decided to tackle a little project today, something I’ve been meaning to do for a while: compile some of those really impactful quotes from “The Killer Angels” and, crucially, note down their page numbers. It’s one of those books that just sticks with you, and I often find myself wanting to recall a specific line but can’t quite place it or its page.
Getting Started with the Book
First things first, I had to grab my copy of the book. It’s a well-loved paperback, pages a bit soft from previous reads. I knew right away that page numbers can be a pain because they differ between editions. Mine is a Ballantine Books edition, the one from May 1987, I think. So, I just told myself, “Alright, these page numbers are for this specific book I’m holding.” No point worrying about every edition out there, right?
I got myself a fresh notebook and a decent pen. I find that actually writing things down helps me remember them better than just typing. Plus, it feels more connected to the act of reading the physical book.
The Process of Finding and Noting
My approach wasn’t super scientific. I didn’t set out to find quotes on a specific theme or from a particular character, though I knew some of Longstreet’s and Chamberlain’s lines would definitely make the cut. I basically started from the beginning, intending to skim through but also willing to re-read sections that caught my eye.
So, I started flipping pages. When I came across a passage or a sentence that really hit home, I’d stop and read it carefully. If it felt like one of those “killer” quotes, I’d write it down in my notebook. And this is the important bit: I immediately wrote the page number down next to the quote. I’ve made the mistake before of thinking, “Oh, I’ll find that page again later,” and it’s always a nightmare. So, quote, then page number. Every single time.
It was a pretty straightforward process, just time-consuming. Sometimes I’d read a whole chapter and only pull one or two lines. Other times, a single page might have a couple of gems. I wasn’t being overly critical at first; I just jotted down anything that resonated.
I found myself looking for things like:
- Statements that really defined a character’s viewpoint.
- Lines that captured the grim reality of the war.
- Moments of reflection or doubt.
- Those powerful, often short, declarations that Shaara writes so well.
For example, I knew I wanted that bit where Longstreet talks about modern war, or when Chamberlain is motivating his men. Finding the exact phrasing and the page took a bit of scanning, but that was the whole point of the exercise.
I spent a good few hours on this, just me, the book, and my notebook. It’s quite a meditative process, actually. You end up re-engaging with the story in a different way when you’re specifically hunting for these potent lines.
The Result
By the end of my session, I had a solid list of quotes, each paired with its page number from my edition. It’s not an exhaustive list of every good line in the book, because there are tons, but it’s a collection of the ones that stood out to me today. Having those page numbers is key. Now, if I want to refer to something specific, I can just flip open my notebook and then go straight to the page in the book.
So yeah, that was my little project. Simple, but satisfying. It’s good to have these things written down. Makes you appreciate the writing even more when you pull it apart like that. Definitely a worthwhile way to spend an afternoon if you love a book and want to get a bit more familiar with its core messages.
