The book lists campaigns and battles in chronological order, covering a total of 384 separate engagements. Each campaign/battle has a short but usefully detailed narrative overview, and the most important battles have accompanying maps. These maps are a thing of beauty and a joy to use. The editors wisely took current U.S. Geological Survey maps (complete with highway numbers and terrain features - very useful) of the battle areas and superimposed upon them Civil War- era landmarks and troop movements. This excellent technique makes the maps useful for navigating to and around the battlefields, and standing on the ground to visualize the fighting, especially for the less well-preserved sites where markers and interpretations may not exist. The only recommendation I would make for future editions is for the binding-- putting the book in a ring binding similar to a road atlas, with the larger maps as fold-outs, would make this already outstanding book even more useful.

A series of short essays on various topics, and appendices with statistical information, complete the package. While the battle summaries themselves may not stand alone for analysis, that is certainly not the book's purpose (neither, I might add, is the book designed to interest folks who have "no interest in the trenches"- get real! This is a Civil War battlefield guide!). It succeeds completely and admirably in its guidebook function. I am currently purchasing copies for use by West Point cadets in an intensive Civil War battlefield study and staff ride. Highly recommended.

20 of 20 found the following review helpful:


Battlefield Synopsis  Feb 06, 2000 By Scott Anderson "Sharpsburg"
This book lends itelf as a nice companion to any serious volume of research on the Civil War. It is not meant to be used as the sole study on specific battles but more so as a synopsis of what took place upon the battlefield.

When used in conjunction with other works it's a great read and by itself it will give insight into the struggle that took place all across our Nation.

The essays and maps are well done and to the point. However, don't rely upon these articles if you are planning on doing in depth tours or studies of the battles. Use this work as an overview of the action and then go out and enjoy the talks, lectures and battlefield literature. If there is no park then look online for books pertaining to your interests.

Overall, his book is well written and is recommened for those interested in brief essays of over 350 civil war battles.

12 of 12 found the following review helpful:


Excellent battlefield guide  Oct 03, 2002 By F. Stover "pheonix110"
This guide covers all of the 384 principle battles of the Civil War, with maps of certain battles and casualty statistics at the end of each essay. Information is also given on the current statis of the battlefields. A must reference guide for your Civil War library.

12 of 13 found the following review helpful:


Civil War Battlefield Guide  Jan 02, 2003 By J. Lindner
This is an excellent resource for anyone planning on visiting Civil War battlefields. Even if one does not actually go to the site, this book's detailed maps and readable text helps illustrate the battles described. I recently visited Chickamauga battlefield in Georgia and this guide was very helpful in adding scope and dimension.

Most major engagements are covered by this book, in fact I can think of none that is worth visiting that is not in this book. I have enjoyed this book for a while now (the hardcover is out of print but the paperback is available) and look forward to many more years of use from it.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


Great Civil Touring aide book  Aug 20, 2005 By J. Smith "Civil War Guy"
I bought this book because i was working for a battlefield in the Park Service this summer and I had some free time to see other Battle fields in the surrounding areas: Richmond, Cold Harbor, Fredericksburg, Antietam, Harper's Ferry, Malverin Hill. And this book is just what I needed, because sometimes the best thing is just a concise history to understand with great detailing maps for comprehension and this has it. I value mine on a Civil War Battlefield trips

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