This edition from Osprey Publishing presents the full story of the American Civil War.The four long years of Civil War saw fighting across America on an unprecedented scale, incurring losses to both sides to an extent never previously imagined. As the battles raged from east to west, from the First Battle of Bull run to Sherman's march to the Sea, no part of America remained untouched by the war, with families finding themselves torn and fighting on opposing sides. More than 150 years on, the war continues to fascinate us, and the key commanders, both presidents, and battle sites are forever enshrined in America's history.With a foreword by James McPherson, this volume brings together the work of four leading US historians to provide a thoroughly comprehensive and insightful study of the war, packed with first-hand accounts from soldiers and civilians alike. Superbly illustrated with more than 150 contemporary black-and white and color images, and with 40 specially commissioned full-color maps, this edition provides an analysis of the causes, events, and effects of the Civil War.

ForewordIntroduction: The Nation in CrisisChronologyCHAPTER 1: THE WAR IN THE EAST 1861-MAY 1863Outbreak: Election, Southern Secession, and Creation of the ConfederacyWarring SidesThe Fighting: From First Manassas to ChancellorsvillePortrait of a Soldier: Robert Augustus MooreThe World Around WarPortrait of a Civilian: Elizabeth Herndon MauryHow the Period Ended: An Uncertain FutureCHAPTER 2: THE WAR IN THE WEST 1861-JULY 1863The Fighting: Struggle for the HeartlandCommon Soldiers: Billy Yank and Johnny Reb at WarPortrait of a Soldier: John BeattyPortrait of a Civilian: Kate StoneHow the Period Ended: The Promise of SummerCHAPTER 3: THE WAR IN THE EAST MAY 1863-1865The Fighting: The War Without Jackson to Lee's Last StandPortrait of a Soldier: McHenry Howard's WarThe World Around WarPortrait of a Civilian: Ella Washington and the Federal ArmyHow the Period Ended: From Appomattox to LiverpoolCHAPTER 4: THE WAR IN THE WEST JULY 1863-1865The Fighting: The Final StagesCommon Soldiers: Black Soldiers and POWsPortrait of a Soldier: William Wilbur EdgertonPortrait of a Civilian: Emma LeConteHow the War Ended: Peace is DeclaredConclusion and Consequences - United StatesFurther ReadingAbout the AuthorsIndex