Reader's Guide

Almanac

American Civil War: Almanac presents a comprehensive overview of the Civil War. The volume's fourteen chapters cover all aspects of the conflict, from the prewar issues and events that divided the nation to the war itself—an epic struggle from 1861 to 1865 that changed the political and social landscape of America forever. The chapters are arranged chronologically, beginning with "Slavery and the American South" and ending with "1865-1877: Reconstruction." Interspersed are two chapters that cover two unique groups during the Civil War: women and blacks.

Each chapter of the Almanac includes "Words to Know" and "People to Know" sections that define important terms and individuals discussed in the chapter for easy reference. In addition, each chapter features informative sidebars containing brief biographies, excerpts from memoirs and speeches, and interesting facts about the issues and events discussed in the main body of the text. More than ninety black-and-white photos and maps illustrate the work.

The Almanac also includes an "American Civil War Timeline" of important events, "Words to Know" and "People to Know" sections that combine those terms from individual chapters, and a list of "Research and Activity Ideas" with suggestions for research efforts, oral and dramatic presentations, and group projects. American Civil War: Almanac concludes with a bibliography of sources for further research and a comprehensive index.

Biographies

American Civil War: Biographies presents biographies of sixty men and women who participated in or were affected by the Civil War. These two volumes profile a diverse mix of personalities from both the North and the South, including military leaders, politicians, abolitionists, artists, spies, and escaped slaves. Detailed biographies of major Civil War figures (such as Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant, Frederick Douglass, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson) are included. But American Civil War: Biographies also provides biographical information on lesser-known but nonetheless important and fascinating men and women of that era. Examples include Thaddeus Lowe, the daring commander of the Union's manned balloon corps; Mathew Brady, the famed Civil War photographer; and Rose O'Neal Greenhow, a Confederate spy who drowned during an attempt to smuggle gold into the South in the hoops of her dress.

American Civil War: Biographies also features sidebars containing interesting facts, excerpts from diaries and speeches, and short biographies of people who are in some way connected with the leading figures of the era. Within each full-length biography, boldfaced cross-references direct readers to other individuals profiled in the two-volume set. Finally, each volume includes photographs and illustrations, an "American Civil War Timeline" that lists significant dates and events of the Civil War era, and a cumulative subject index.

Primary Sources

American Civil War: Primary Sources presents fourteen full or excerpted documents written by people who participated in the events of the Civil War. These documents range from notable speeches that mark important points in the conflict to personal diaries and letters that reflect the hopes, dreams, fears, and experiences of ordinary soldiers and civilians of the era. Some of the selections discuss highly personal issues, such as the terror of being in combat. Others chronicle events that fundamentally altered the course of the Civil War, like President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and the letters between Union general William T. Sherman and Atlanta, Georgia, city leaders, relating to the 1864 fall of Atlanta. Further, the works included in this volume present a wide range of perspectives on the conflict. Some entries provide insights into the feelings of men and women who were devoted to the Confederacy, for example, while others provide a glimpse into the motivations of equally dedicated Union loyalists.

Each excerpt presented in American Civil War: Primary Sources includes the following additional material:

  • An introduction places the document and its author in a historical context.
  • "Things to remember while reading..." offers readers important background information and directs them to central ideas in the text.
  • "What happened next..." provides an account of subsequent events, both in the war and in the life of the author.
  • "Did you know..." provides significant and interesting facts about the document, the author, or the events discussed.
  • "For further reading" lists sources for more information on the author, the topic, or the document.

Other features of American Civil War: Primary Sources include short biographies of featured authors, photographs and illustrations depicting the personalities and events discussed in the documents, and sidebars presenting additional information on unusual or significant aspects of the issue or event under discussion. In addition, a glossary runs alongside each primary document that defines unfamiliar terms and ideas contained in the material. Finally, American Civil War: Primary Sources provides an "American Civil War Timeline" that lists significant dates and events of the Civil War era and a cumulative subject index.

Acknowledgments

The authors extend thanks to Larry Baker and Tom Romig at U•X•L for their assistance throughout the production of this series. Thanks, too, to Christine Alexanian for her quick and thorough copyediting and Amy Marcaccio Keyzer for lending her considerable editorial talents in the form of proofreading. The editor wishes to thank Marco Di Vita at Graphix Group for always working with common sense, flexibility, speed, and, above all, quality. Admiration, love, and a warm hug go to Beth Baker for her year of bravery. And, finally, a very special hello goes to Charlie and Dane, whose decision to move up their pub date made the Summer of '99 so very interesting.

Comments and suggestions

We welcome your comments on American Civil War: Biographies and suggestions for other topics in history to consider. Please write: Editors, American Civil War: Biographies, U•X•L, 27500 Drake Rd., Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331-3535; call toll-free: 800-877-4253; fax to 248-414-5043; or send e-mail via http://www.galegroup.com.