Walk the fields where soldiers fought: Imagine the sound of cannons roaring, the smell of gunpowder in the air, and the sight of the enemy lying in wait. Feel history come to vibrant life as you turn the pages of America's Battlegrounds. This exciting new way of looking at history is filled with over 200 years of American conflicts that occurred on U.S. soil. Here are the battlefield sites within the national park system that commemorate the battles that shaped our country. Along with the actual fields on which wars were fought, you'll find monuments honoring fallen heroes; forts that were defended to the last soldier; ships, tanks, and eventually planes that played an important part in conflicts; and cannons, guns, and bombs that were often the deciding factor in the outcome of the battle. Each entry reveals the history behind a particular battle and highlights the heroes and villains swept up in the conflict. Dramatic historical paintings, archival photographs, and original battlefield maps revive vivid tales of life on the battlefield. Detailed visitor information-including hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, and points of focus-helps you plan your visit. Here you will find the compelling true stories behind: Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, Massachusetts, where "minutemen"-the men of the local militia ready to assemble at a minute's notice-opposed a British advance on April 19, 1775. Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, where a British bombardment in the War of 1812 failed to capture the fort-and where Francis Scott Key wrote a poem called "Defence of Fort McHenry," which eventually became "The Star-Spangled Banner." Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in Crow Agency, Montana, site of one of the most widely discussed-and controversial-conflicts in American history. Shiloh National Military Park in Shiloh, Tennessee, where the shocking casualties in 1862 were a precursor of CivilWar battles to come. USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, where a surprise Japanese attack catapulted America into active participation in World War II. Informative and engrossing, America's Battlegrounds provides a detailed look at the effect of war on the soldiers, the countryside, and the future of America.