The Battlefields of the Civil War tells the stories of thirteen of the most important battles, including First Manassas, Shiloh, Antietam, Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and the Wilderness. William C. Davis not only describes the events and outcomes of those great engagements, but also delves into the characters of the army commanders, revealing in many cases just how much their personalities influenced the actions of their subordinates - and ultimately the outcome of the battles themselves. To help explain the war's broader scope, Davis also provides a lengthy introduction on the siege of Fort Sumter and an epilogue on the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Courthouse. Each battle is illustrated with an annotated, full-page color map clearly showing troop movements, positions of commanders, and geographic features. Rounding out the narrative are 35 full-page color photograph spreads of Civil War artifacts (including flags, uniforms, artillery projectiles, and arms), 28 color paintings of soldiers in various regiment uniforms, and 166 historical photographs.
