This isn't the most entertaining book on the US Civil War I've read about blending first-hand accounts, but it is fascinating in what it sets out to do.

I've never been exposed to the idea the civil war had this huge underlying front basically in terms of guerrilla warfare. It's hard not to draw comparisons to today but the author does an excellent job of keeping this book focused on how this type of warfare was viewed by participants and civilians back then.

I was shocked to learn just how divided each state was. I was under the impression that even if it was a southern or northern state, most of the population went along with how their state chose to proceed. This book proves this was not the case.

A great read from the information imparted but, on the whole, somewhat dry.