Luvaas attempts to determine the reasons why European soldiers have studied and written about the Civil War and why military lessons they have learned - or thought they could learn - from it. Each writer is portrayed against a background of ideas and doctrines prevalent in his own army, for in no other way is it possible to understand a man's views and measure his influence. -- From the preface.

Reprint. Originally published: Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 1959. Includes index.

Fog of war - English observers - German observers - French observers - View from England, 1861-86 - View from Germany, 1861-1914 - View from France, 1861-1914 - Henderson Legacy - Postwar View: a new Approach - Conclusion. Appendix A: a work of fiction -- Appendix B: Analysis of cavalry operations.