Struggle for a Vast Future

The American Civil War tore apart the country that was founded on the ideals of liberty and union and embroiled it in some of the most bitter and bloody fighting that humankind has witnessed. The war changed America forever, and the shockwaves of it resounded around the world. This book seeks to understand the origins of this landmark conflict and its place in the history of modern society and warfare. Examining the major themes of the war through the world's leading American Civil War experts, the authors explore the innovation of warfare, the role of women and ethnic origins, espionage and the extraordinary leaders and personalities that shaped the future of the United States.