Robertson tells us about the Civil War through the eyes of the men and women who were there. Employing hundreds of sources such as diaries, letters, regimental histories and newspapers he lets the individuals describe what they saw and remembered. The book is divided into chapters that each have a theme under which he organizes the information.

Themes include where did the soldiers come from; what the men did in camp between battles for fun and recreation; problems of discipline; problems created by alcohol; religion and the role of it and chaplains on the men; treating the wounded and the injured; prisons on both sides of the lines; and heroics.

The descriptions of battlefield hospitals and medicine were very difficult to read. Both armies were not prepared to handle the wounded or prisoners in such large numbers. ( )