38 pages • 1 hour read
Bull Run
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
128
Novel • Fiction
Eastern USA • 1860s
1993
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
Super Short Summary
Bull Run by Paul Fleischman depicts the events leading up to, during, and after the Battle of Bull Run through the perspectives of 16 Union and Confederate narrators, illustrating the chaos, destruction, and emotional toll of the Civil War's first major battle. The novel addresses themes of war's destructiveness, its universal impact on humanity, and the shared desires across both sides of the conflict. This book contains mentions of suicidal ideation and uses period-specific language that may be sensitive.
Challenging
Contemplative
Melancholic
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Paul Fleischman’s Bull Run captures the chaotic and emotional reality of the Civil War through multiple perspectives. The narrative’s unique structure is both a strength and a limitation. Reviewers appreciate the varied viewpoints and rich historical detail, though some find the fragmented format disjointed. Overall, it’s praised for its educational value and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Bull Run?
Readers who would enjoy Bull Run by Paul Fleischman are typically those interested in historical fiction, especially focusing on the American Civil War. Fans of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara or Across Five Aprils by Irene Hunt will likely appreciate this book's multi-perspective narrative and rich historical details.
1,599 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
128
Novel • Fiction
Eastern USA • 1860s
1993
Middle grade
8-12 years
810L
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.