Although photos were uncommon back in 1860 this book located dozens of them. The story is told in a vivid and fair portrayal.

After reading several adult books on the Civil War for research, I began this book by Delia Ray (I like to read children's books as well). I simply need to say that this book is excellent. Civil War reading can be very dry, but not this book. Delia Ray takes us on a soldiers journey beginning with enlistment and ending with a soldiers life after the war, using quotes from actual letters and diaries strategically placed throughout the book. She covers such interesting items as what soldiers ate, how they drilled, their various living quarters, what they did for enjoyment, their attitudes toward their commanders, soldiers of other nationalities, and the enemy. She discusses individual battles, medical treatment, hospital and prison life, with such empathy that when you finish this book you will actually feel as if you were there yourself. The photographs in this book each tell a story in themselves, as well. They are some of the most moving photos I've seen of the Civil War. I simply couldn't put this book down onced I picked it up. I highly recommend this book to both children and adults because like my title says, it's not a book... it's a journey. An all inclusive journey that seems to leave no question concerning the Civil War soldiers life unanswered.