The American Civil War (1): The war in the East 1861-May 1863

Description

The United States saw long-simmering sectional tensions erupt into fighting at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, in April 1861, beginning what would become the most cataclysmic military struggle in the western world between Waterloo and the First World War. This volume focuses on events in the Virginia theater during the conflict's first two years, highlighting Union and Confederate strengths and weaknesses, leadership and strategy on each side, and the ways in which events on the battlefield influenced politics, diplomacy, and debates about emancipation. Osprey Essential Histories are complete yet concise studies of each major conflict in history.

Gary W. Gallagher is the John L. Nau III Professor in the History of the American Civil War at the University of Virginia. He is the author of several books, among them "Lee and His Generals in War And Memory," "The Confederate War," and "Stephen Dodson Ramseur: Lee's Gallant General." He also serves as editor and co-author of the "Military Campaigns of the Civil War" series, which includes titles on seven operations.

"Osprey should be commended for its publishing efforts here. The book has crisp, clear illustrations printed on glossy pages. The maps are like-wise clear and also in color, making it easy to conceptualize the troop movements described in the text, and with just enough detail fitting for this general survey... should appeal to the general reader desirous of a quick, yet comprehensive, treatment that may well stimulate further study." -Frank Piatek, Civil War News