The premise of how this book was started is a fascinating story in itself. The author, Don Bracken created an enhanced computer-generated Internet research site Historyscope.com that had all the time plots of the major events that took place on the various battlefields of the United States. His purpose was to bring the Civil War into the classrooms as realistically as possible. When I visited this site, I spent hours going through each of the pages. I found it was the icing on the cake that perfectly complemented this highly-regarded book.

A total of three hundred and eighty four major battles are explored throughout these pages. Each one is described in a realistic way that places the reader at the center of the turmoil. These descriptive passages depict the high intensity of each battle. Readers will be glued to the pages until they find out how each one ends and how many human lives were sacrificed. Hats off to Don Bracken - not only has he written an unforgettable book, but his web site is a history lover's paradise. Very highly recommended.