The American Civil War

This rich and balanced narrative of the American Civil War combines a chronological organization with a thematic approach to provide a comprehensive introduction to this pivotal conflict in the nation's history. Chronologically organized chapters on military history allow readers to easily follow the ebb and flow of the battlefield, while other, more topical chapters interspersed throughout explore such subjects as Civil War medicine, politics, prisoners of war, diplomacy, and the role of African-Americans and women, providing strong social and political context for the war and a greater understanding of the lasting impact of the time period. Each chapter also includes high interest features that provide biographical sketches of important personalities, little known facts about the Civil War, the histories of famous fighting units, and eyewitness accounts of dramatic events.