Includes index.

Liberty and the Civil War -- Why the North fought -- According to the South -- Did everyone own slaves? -- Slave or servant? -- "A positive good" -- The Proclamations -- Fighting for the Confederacy? -- Death, disease, and doctors -- So many deaths -- End of the war -- A just war? -- A complex war.

"During the Civil War, scores of people wrote firsthand accounts and stories of the events. Politicians of the time, soldiers, ordinary citizens, and countless others, both Union and Confederate, recorded their thoughts, impressions, and observations. After the war and through the years, many authors wrote down histories and more stories were passed down generation to generation. However, ideas, opinions, and even details of life experiences may change, be exaggerated, or be forgotten over time. In this book, readers will peek into the past and gain insight and perspective into the Civil War. Curious readers will enjoy informed writing, interesting facts, illuminating sidebars, and fascinating photographs that shed light on the real story of the Civil War."--Provided by publisher.