Understanding what convinced Civil War soldiers to lay down their lives for the cause, North AND South, is perhaps the hardest part of teaching about making sense of the war. This excellent collection of selections from leading scholars on who the soldiers were, how they lived, and why they fought is a fine introduction to years of research that seeks to answer that question. - Janet Coryell,Western Michigan University This type of work would be especially valuable for assignment in the classroom. (North & South) This is a fine collection which lends itself to classroom use and to the edification of non-specialists. (Indiana Magazine of History) Presenting a variety of viewpoints, the book will be of interest to all Civil War devotees. (Booklist) Presenting a variety of viewpoints, the book will be of interest to all Civil War devotees. (Booklist,August 2002)