This book represents the best current thinking about the American Civil War. Eleven nationally known historians met to consider the War under the combined auspices of the Department of History and Government and the Office of Continuing Education of Southeastern Louisiana University along with the Baton Rouge, Houston, Jackson, and North Lake Civil War Round Tables. The theme of this symposium "Leadership During the Civil War," gave those experts a wide range of choices and interpretations. But they chose to integrate the War with the youthful, political, and cultural background of such leaders as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, and Robert E. Lee, along with other major figures of that conflict. Although some authors emphasized different aspects of leadership, from Lincoln's alleged bending of the Constitution to Lee's youthful interests, all are interesting and provocative.

Foreword /Roman J. Heleniak -- Lincoln, the War, and the Constitution / Richard N. Current -- Jefferson Davis and Confederate Military Leadership / Grady McWhiney -- Young Man Lee / Emory M. Thomas -- Braxton Bragg and the Confederate Invasion of Kentucky in 1862 / Lawrence L. Hewitt -- Bedford Forrest and His "Critter" Cavalry at Brice's Cross Roads / Edwin C. Bearss -- Mansfield Lovell / Arthur W. Bergeron, Jr. -- Jedediah Hotchkiss: Stonewall Jackson's Map Maker / Archie P. McDonald -- Stephen D. Lee and The Guns at Second Manassas / Herman Hattaway -- John C. Breckinridge and the Confederate Defeat / William C. Davis -- The Speakers of the State Legislatures' Failure as Confederate Leaders / Jon L. Wakelyn -- Civil War Leaders / Richard M. McMurry.