Though the American Civil War is given top billing and forms the bulk of the book, it is one of three conflicts. First is discussed the Crimean War, which shows how little military science had advanced from the end of the Napoleonic era to 1854. The American Civil war is discussed in an admirable and brief fashion - important political concerns, emancipation proclomation, election of 1864, etc. are all mentionned. The power of the rifled musket, the defensive protection of field works, and the advantage of the tactical defensive are all noted. Land strategy is primarily emphasized, and the iron clad is mentionned only in passing. Yet it would be the grandfather of the great naval arm races to come. Civil War buffs will want more depth or be aware of topics skimmed over.

Holden Reid gives proper credit to the amateur Americans in waging the first large scale continental wars using modern technology. While Napoleon and Caesar commanded large armies over vast distances, until the Industrial Revolution, it was not possible to arm, train, mass, supply, maneuver, and to communicate simultaneously with hundreds of thousands of soldiers, all moving under one strategic plan. He notes that while Grant and Moltke were inferior battelfield commanders to Lee, Moltke was the first to have the leeway of combining peace time preparation with actual war time plans. Grant is given more credit to his logistical planning.

A well produced book with good illustrations, maps, and pictures. Particularly for the American reader, it offers a brief but well written discussion of the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.

In brief: a good survey of the first "modern wars." Fans of the American Civil War will find dedicated works to be of more interest. For those interested in development of military thought and practice the contrast of the Crimean War, ACW, and the German Wars of Unification in one volume will be fascinating reading.