The Compact History of the Civil War Author:R.Ernest Dupuy, Trevor N. Dupuy Two of America's most esteemed military historians present a concise, fascinating one-volume encyclopedia of the Civil War which covers all the important aspects of the War from the brilliant campaigns and strategies to the mistakes that cost the South the war. Includes portraits of the great leaders.
This is a great overview of the Civil War. Not a lot of detail, but after all...it is a "Compact" history. It is easy to read. This would be a very good book for a novice Civil War buff.