Civil War Society's Encyclopedia of the American Civil War

This represents an effort to provide a fairly comprehensive compendium of Civil War information, subject by subject. On the one hand, this provides information about a multitude of subjects for people who want a quick introduction (398 pages of entries). On the other hand, if the reader wants any detail on these subjects, this book will not help much. Thus, the reader's interests are really the key as to whether or not this volume will be of value. Examples of entries (based on random page turning!): Brandy Station, Chamberlain (Joshua Lawrence), Crittendon (brothers), Five Forks, Gorgas (Josiah), Hood (John Bell), Jackson (Stonewall), Lee (Rooney), Mallory (Stephen Russell), New Orleans (Battle of), Republican Party, Shenandoah Valley (Sheridan Campaign), Stuart (JEB), Truth (Sojourner), War Democrats, Zouaves. The book concludes with a series of appendices: Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the Gettysburg Address. There is a brief bibliography, which is not overly detailed (I would have hoped for more citations).