Harry Hansen's book was the first I read on the Civil War and it sparked me to read more. The battle descriptions are some of the best I have ever read, especially Hansen's handling of Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. This book takes you into the minds of the generals and common soldiers who waged the war and explains their actions in a clear and concise way. Not overly wordy, but having enough description to keep it interesting, this book is perfect for anyone who is just getting started on the Civil War, as it also digs into the political, social, and historical influences that caused the war. Another great feature is that the book is not biased towards either of the contingents, and gives a straight report without overly critizing either side. All in all, an excellent book that I highly reccommend to anyone with an interest in the conflict