KEYNOTE: Released in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, this book offers a complete pictorial overview of the war and biographies of fifty legendary leaders. The dramatic history of the "War Between the States" comes alive in Great Civil War Heroes and their Battles. In this beautifully produced compilation are the biographies of fifty famed commanders from both the Union and the Confederacy, accompanied by lifelike portraits and more than seventy full-page battle scenes, including images from Currier & Ives and the treasured Kurz and Allison series. The highly anticipated new edition of Great Civil War Heroes and Their Battles brings a classic American history book back in stock in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War on April 12, 1861. This anniversary edition features an engaging new Preface from author Walton Rawls. Each general's section, in addition to a biography and exciting descriptions of his exploits in the war, lists his major battles, his dates of promotion, his independent field commands, etc. Written when many of these figures were still alive, the biographies are peppered with fascinating first-person anecdotes and recollections that may not otherwise have survived. Supplementing the text and battle scenes are ordnance drawings identifying the major types of artillery, muskets, rifles, and pistols used by both sides-- as well as full-color spreads showing the standard uniforms and insignia of Union and Confederate armies. Scattered throughout are colorful vignettes of a soldier's life and patriotic drawings taken from writing paper and envelopes distributed to the Union troops. Full-page maps and a detailed chronology of the war complete this enriching volume--a must-have for history buffs on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line. AUTHOR: Walton Rawls is the author of several books in the field of American popular culture, most notably Abbeville's The Great Book of Currier & Ives' America and Wake Up, America!: World War I and the American Poster. Trained at Harvard in American history and literature, Rawls was a contributor to the Oxford Companion to American Military History and is a member of Atlanta's Civil War Round Table. REVIEWS: "Resplendent, like most Abbeville books." -- Philadelphia Inquirer "A treasure for Civil War buffs." -- Smithsonian Magazine "An excellent gift." -- Dallas Morning News "This work is a treasure." -- Times-Picayune, New Orleans "A rare collector's item." -- Richmond Times-Dispatch "Rawls' book is lavishly illustrated with colorful pictures, period illustrations, uniforms and weapons and is a delight to read." -- CivilWarNews.com ILLUSTRATIONS: 200 + illustrations