This is epic history, told in sweeping, dramatic style by a master of the craft. One battle flows seamlessly to the next in Stackpole’s grand narrative, which also turns a soldier’s eye to the leadership of the men in blue and gray. This book will find enthusiastic readers among general readers as well as among Civil War buffs, military history aficionados, and military officers seeking insightful professional reading.

Union frustrations -- Pope versus Jackson -- The Battle of Cedar Mountain -- Lee's campaign against Pope -- Second Bull Run I: The fight near Groveton -- Second Bull Run II: The main battle opens -- Second Bull Run III: The climax -- The Battle of Chantilly -- Lee invades Maryland -- The Battle of South Mountain -- The Harpers Ferry diversion -- Antietam I: The bloodiest single day -- Antietam II: Final phase -- Lincoln tries another General -- The strategy of the Fredericksburg Campaign -- Interlude on the Rappahannock -- The curtain rises at Fredericksburg -- Across the Rappahannock at last -- Fredericksburg I: Union failure on the Southern Flank -- Fredericksburg II: Slaughter at the Stone Wall -- Burnside is relieved of command -- Hooker plans a campaign -- The strategy of the Chancellorsville Campaign -- Chancellorsville I: Jackson's flank attack -- Chancellorsville II: May 3 -- Chancellorsville III: Fredericksburg and Salem Church -- Lee invades Pennsylvania -- Confederate strategy in June 1863 -- Meade takes command -- Gettysburg I: July 1, 1863 -- Gettysburg II: July 2, 1863 -- Gettysburg III: July 3, 1863.