The American Civil War, 1861-1865

The American Civil War caused upheaval and massive private bereavement, but the years 1861-1865 also defined a great nation.

This accessible introduction to the American Civil War looks at the social history associated with the war alongside the more familiar military and political events and provides an up-to-date synthesis of the vast literature which the subject has generated.

The text is supported by a fascinating collection of documents, a chronology of the main events, and a guide to the main characters.