The Eichers, et al, have done Civil War buffs a great service with this fabulous piece of research. If you are looking for info on military and/or civilian leaders, this is the best single source yet published. Thanks guys!

A major work of awesome proportions! The research, attention to detail and the scholarship that combined to produce this work are beyond measure.

For any serious Civil War buff this book is a "must". There is no area relating to the High Command of either North or South that is not covered in exquisite detail. It contains not only the biographical notes for virtually every major and minor character on both sides, it lists the ranks, date of rank and assignments. Reads like an Officer's Personnel Record, complete with photographs of individuals where available. It is particularly useful in bringing into clear focus the organizational structure, badges of rank and the different departments making up the respective armies.

This is an absolutely invaluable tool for anyone interested in an in-depth source for reference to go hand-in-hand with careful study of the major works on Civil War battles and campaigns.

It should certainly be found on the shelves of any college or university library.

I found this book to be the best in this area. Many of the others I looked into were too compact, too poorly detailed, or far too many advertisements, difficult to read or just too hard to figure out. Mr Eicher does the job right. Each battlefield is detailed out with great maps, numbered markers and a condensed history. The maps are perfect for a colored marker pen to assist when driving along or for walking the trails. My first copy, after my vacation two years ago, disapeared, so I bought another copy for my trip next year. A great gift or keep handy for your next trip to Chickamaug, Five Forks, Franklin or when watching a theme related movie. Five and a half stars. Check it out!

Writing on the U.S. Civil War must be a daunting task for any author. The vast coliseum of scholarship where so many have been and so many are yet to go leaves little scope for something different or new. Somehow, though, David Eicher's "Mystic Chords of Memory" is a refreshing photographic look at America's supreme hour.

The author has seemingly visited every battlefield, seen every monument, heard every story, read every text, letter and gravestone. From Harper's Ferry to Ford's Theatre, there are "then and now" photographs of many of the key places in that great conflict. The "now" photos from Eicher's own albums are splendid, evocative modern portraits of their black and white kin placed nearby. The photographs are matched by Eicher's simple and plain prose, brisk with quotes from the old generals, their soldiers and their families.

Eicher's book seems to share a similar ancestry to Ken Burns' masterful civil war television series. Both employ simple and elegant approaches to the task of conveying meaning to the conflict. Like Burns, Eicher doesn't waste time with interpretative Rubik's cubes. To Eicher, the Civil War is basic history - bloody, tragic, wasteful - but pure and simple history just the same. Get on with the pictures, stories and bonding with the old heroes; leave quarrel and contention to others.

Some might have feared that the world "will little note, nor long remember", yet David Eicher's study highlights the Civil War's enduring facility for bringing forth new and engaging reflections of that greatest test of The Great Republic. This is a beautiful book and a pleasure to read.