A vivid history of the Civil War, its genesis, battles, politics and personalities from the war with Mexico to Appomattox. McPherson's portrait of the Antebellum South has become the standard for its marshalling of facts and personalities into a compelling story. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, the book may be 900 pages long but it reads like a good novel.  (USS37, $19.95)

Deep South
Civil War