Skip to Main Content

About The Book

The definitive military history of the Civil War, featuring the same exclusive images, tactical maps, and expert analysis commissioned by The United States Military Academy to teach the history of the art of war to West Point cadets.

The United States Military Academy at West Point is the gold standard for military history and the operational art of war. West Point has created military history texts for its cadets since 1836. For the first time in over forty years, the United States Military Academy has authorized a new military history series that will bear the name West Point. That text has been updated repeatedly, but now it has been completely rewritten and The West Point History of the Civil War is the first volume to result in a new series of military histories authorized by West Point.

The West Point History of the Civil War combines the expertise of preeminent historians commissioned by West Point, hundreds of maps uniquely created by cartographers under West Point’s direction, and hundreds of images, many created for this volume or selected from West Point archives. Offering careful analysis of the political context of military decisions, The West Point History of the Civil War is singularly brilliant at introducing the generals and officer corps of both Union and Confederacy, while explaining the tactics, decisions, and consequences of individual battles and the ebb and flow of the war. For two years it has been beta-tested, vetted, and polished by cadets, West Point faculty, and West Point graduates and the results are clear: This is the best military history of its kind available anywhere.

This is the standard ebook edition. It is a reproduction of the hardcover edition. It does not include any enhanced or interactive features.

About The Author

The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year federal service academy established in 1802 to educate and train students as future officers in the military. Since 1836, West Point has published and frequently updated for its cadets definitive military history texts, now including The West Point History of Warfare series, the most important and insightful overview of military history to date.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 21, 2014)
  • Length: 448 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781476782652

Browse Related Books

Raves and Reviews

"The West Point History of the Civil War is masterfully crafted and essential reading for students of the civil war. Leaders will benefit from its deep insights into the key decisions and critical turning points."

– General (ret.) Stan McChrystal, former commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and author of My Share of the Task

This is a lavishly illustrated and superbly written survey of the origins, course, and legacy of our national trial by fire. . . . The text is admirably supported by photographs, highly informative maps and charts, and excellent images of artifacts. . . . This outstanding work can serve as an ideal introduction to the topic for general readers."

– Booklist (starred review)

"Assembles contributions from five of the country's most distinguished historians of the Civil War. . . . Provides a richness of political context as well as showing how the war was transformed from an initial defense of the Union to a war for emancipation."

– Kirkus Reviews

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: The United States Military Academy

More books in this series: The West Point History of Warfare Series