The Blue and the Gray

As stated in my summary, this book provides a good overall view of the Civil War and would be a good read for any Civil War beginner. However, the best feature about the book is its photographs of modern and Civil War-era type. The modern ones are all worthy of being framed art and the Civil War ones are blown up as to let the reader feel he's actually there. Also the book has many photos that I've not come across in my voluminous readings. The book's major shortcomings are the lack of real inclusion of any other Civil War causes other than slavery and occasional inaccuracies (One inaccuracy: Black CSA soldiers weren't in combat. In fact, the ones recruited at the end of the war DID combat. Also there were many who fought with the South through the duration of the war). This book is a MUST for any Civil War photo buff.