Publisher's Synopsis
The American Civil War is probably the defining event of American history, even more than the War of Independence. At stake was the continued existence of the country that had evolved from the one created by the original thirteen colonies to become a giant, straddling the entire continent from east to west, and the nature of that country free or slave. Its battles and generals have left an indelible mark on American life, north and south, and it has maintained its fascination for millions despite the gap of almost a century and a half since the guns went quiet
