In this illustrated account of the bloodiest war fought on American soil, Brooks Simpson recounts the events of the war from the opening salvo at Fort Sumter to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House.

An Illustrated History of the Civil War brings to life the realities of the war and the people who lived through it. It explains how the politics around slavery led to an unbridgeable divide between North and South and examines the strategies that led to the Union's eventual victory in 1865.

Beautifully illustrated in full-color throughout, featuring an array of contemporary photographs, artworks and artifacts, it provides the perfect introduction to the tragic conflict.

The American Civil War is one of the most fascinating topics in modern history, and has always attracted a wide readership.

The 150-year anniversary of the end of the civil war in 2015 raised awareness of the conflict both in the United States and throughout the world.

The American Civil War battlefields are some of the most popular tourist sites in the United States.