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Eyewitness The Civil War
Packed with stunning photography, Eyewitness American Civil War explores the war that turned the nation against itself.
Become an eyewitness to one of the most important times in US history, in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of the American Civil War. Children will be mesmerized by the key events of the conflict, from brutal battles to legendary commanders.
This unique, beautifully illustrated guide reveals the conflict between the North and South, of more than 50 battles, and shows both sides of the conflict in equal light. Using striking full-color photographs of paintings, artifacts and illustrations of battles, discover how tensions about slavery exploded into a war that lasted four years.
Throughout the pages of this newly-revised book on the American Civil War, you can expect to
- A fresh new look, new photographs, updated information, and a new “eyewitness” feature.
- Amazing facts, updated diagrams, statistics, and timelines.
- Brand new eyewitness accounts from experts in the field.
SI Eyewitness American Civil War introduces the ultimate guide to the tensions between the North and South, from brutal battles to legendary commanders. Children can learn about famous leaders, like how Abraham Lincoln became president in 1860 and why he was assassinated, discover the horror of slave life, and the Underground Railroad that helped its victims escape. This all-encompassing guide to the civil war on the United States is a must-have for curious children aged 9+ with a thirst for learning, as well as teachers, parents and librarians.
So, what’s new?
Part of DK’s best-selling Eyewitness series, this popular title has been reinvigorated for the next generation of information-seekers and stay-at-home explorers, with a fresh new look, up to 20 percent new images, including photography and updated diagrams, updated information, and a new “eyewitness” feature with fascinating first-hand accounts from experts in the field.
Explore the series!
Globally, the Eyewitness series has sold more than 50 million copies over 30 years. Travel through the solar system with Eyewitness Space , learn the incredible systems that keep your body functioning with Eyewitness Human Body or take a trip aboard the most famous ship in history with Eyewitness Titanic .
Become an eyewitness to one of the most important times in US history, in this picture-led reference guide that will take you on a visual tour of the American Civil War. Children will be mesmerized by the key events of the conflict, from brutal battles to legendary commanders.
This unique, beautifully illustrated guide reveals the conflict between the North and South, of more than 50 battles, and shows both sides of the conflict in equal light. Using striking full-color photographs of paintings, artifacts and illustrations of battles, discover how tensions about slavery exploded into a war that lasted four years.
Throughout the pages of this newly-revised book on the American Civil War, you can expect to
- A fresh new look, new photographs, updated information, and a new “eyewitness” feature.
- Amazing facts, updated diagrams, statistics, and timelines.
- Brand new eyewitness accounts from experts in the field.
SI Eyewitness American Civil War introduces the ultimate guide to the tensions between the North and South, from brutal battles to legendary commanders. Children can learn about famous leaders, like how Abraham Lincoln became president in 1860 and why he was assassinated, discover the horror of slave life, and the Underground Railroad that helped its victims escape. This all-encompassing guide to the civil war on the United States is a must-have for curious children aged 9+ with a thirst for learning, as well as teachers, parents and librarians.
So, what’s new?
Part of DK’s best-selling Eyewitness series, this popular title has been reinvigorated for the next generation of information-seekers and stay-at-home explorers, with a fresh new look, up to 20 percent new images, including photography and updated diagrams, updated information, and a new “eyewitness” feature with fascinating first-hand accounts from experts in the field.
Explore the series!
Globally, the Eyewitness series has sold more than 50 million copies over 30 years. Travel through the solar system with Eyewitness Space , learn the incredible systems that keep your body functioning with Eyewitness Human Body or take a trip aboard the most famous ship in history with Eyewitness Titanic .
- GenresNonfictionHistory
72 pages, Hardcover
Published April 18, 2023
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Publishing
9,126 books2,070 followersDorling Kindersley (DK) is a British multinational publishing company specializing in illustrated reference books for adults and children in 62 languages. It is part of Penguin Random House, a consumer publishing company jointly owned by Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Pearson PLC. Bertelsmann owns 53% of the company and Pearson owns 47%.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
Established in 1974, DK publishes a range of titles in genres including travel (including Eyewitness Travel Guides), arts and crafts, business, history, cooking, gaming, gardening, health and fitness, natural history, parenting, science and reference. They also publish books for children, toddlers and babies, covering such topics as history, the human body, animals and activities, as well as licensed properties such as LEGO, Disney and DeLiSo, licensor of the toy Sophie la Girafe. DK has offices in New York, London, Munich, New Delhi, Toronto and Melbourne.
Source: Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 1, 2023
Another great book from DK!
I read a lot about the Civil War when there were more books being published about this period in American History, but this is the first book that I have read about this entire era, in a long, long time.
There is a Table of Contents telling what will be showcased and where. Illustrations are in the form of drawings, photographs or people and artifacts, political cartoons, and more!
At the end of the book is a section called, "Did You Know?" which are "Fascinating Facts" about this era, a Timeline, a couple of pages that include Museums, Websites, Historic Homes, Reenactments, National Military Parks, Civil War Cemeteries, Genealogy Info, and a list of Places to Visit, a Glossary, and Index, as well as a list of Acknowledgments.
Some new and interesting things that I found intriguing:
Edmund Ruffin was a Virginia farmer and a leading Fire-Eater. He helped South Carolina organize their secession campaign in 1860. He fired one of the first shots at Fort Sumter to begin the Civil War. After the conflict, he died by suicide rather than live under Union rule. Now, this is what I call being dedicated to a cause!
When the Civil War began in 1861, the number of slaves in the U.S. was nearly FOUR MILLION!!!!!
In the presidential election of 1860, slavery was the main topic of debate (no surprise). The Constitution Party said slavery and the Constitution should be left as they were. The Democratic Party split into those who SUPPORTED slavery and those who wanted a compromise. It was the 6-year old Republican Party that OPPOSED slavery. Its candidate, Illinois ATTORNEY Abraham Lincoln, had limited experience in government. Remember, he had run against Stephen Douglas in 1858 for his senate seat and lost. Lincoln's opponents were outraged when Lincoln won the election. Pro-slavery Americans were expected to accept a leader they did not want, so they took matters into their own hands, sort of speak, and ...
Lincoln won the 1860 Election with 1.86 million votes out of 4.68 million votes cast.
Also, even though Andrew Johnson was from the South (Tennessee), he was still a Union loyalist, so this put him at odds with some people from the South.
Sojourner Truth's book sales (Best Seller, Narrative of Sojourner Truth) helped fund the work of the Underground Railroad.
Did you know that more than 90% of those who served in the Civil War were volunteers?
The information provided about some groups, i.e. Indigenous people, Irishmen, Jews, Italians, and Germans being discouraged from joining the Union and Confederate armies, and then forming their own volunteer regiments was fascinating!
I knew a lot about women and their roles in the Civil War, but I had never heard of Susie King Taylor. She was the first Black nurse in the Civil War after she escaped slavery in 1862. Later, she became the first Black woman to openly teach Black students in Georgia. In 1902, she became the first AND only Black woman to publish a memoir of her experiences during the war.
This is a good one! Some young volunteers wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and then stuffed the paper into their shoe. When asked if they were over 18, the boys believed that they could answer, "yes" without having to lie since they were technically standing "over" the "18." It's funny now, but WOW!
My paternal grandfather was a doctor during World War II, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Medical Equipment used back in the day.
The number of generals killed in the Civil War was 124.
When the Civil War began, free Black people could NOT join the Union Army. It wasn't until after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that Congress passed a law allowing Black men to join the Union Army. They were paid less than white soldiers, and if captured, they were shot or enslaved. Surprisingly, this did not stop Black men from taking part in combat, and many were awarded the Medal of Honor, the Union's highest award for bravery.
In this book, there is a picture of three men holding saxhorns. Although no longer played, this instrument resembles a tuba with an extra long bell.
I did not know that Confederate President Jefferson Davis' first wife was the daughter of future U.S. President, Zachary Taylor. She passed away just months after they were married.
The photographs tied to General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea were amazing to view. I had never seen any of these, before.
My, how far some people fell ... John C. Breckinridge, who had been President Buchanan's (just before Lincoln) Vice President and ran against Lincoln for the presidency in 1860, and then became a Confederate General after that loss, eventually fled to Canada with his family after the war. Luckily (for him), he was not punished for his part in the conflict, and was later able to return to the U.S. and his home state of Kentucky where he went into private legal practice.
Outstanding!
I read a lot about the Civil War when there were more books being published about this period in American History, but this is the first book that I have read about this entire era, in a long, long time.
There is a Table of Contents telling what will be showcased and where. Illustrations are in the form of drawings, photographs or people and artifacts, political cartoons, and more!
At the end of the book is a section called, "Did You Know?" which are "Fascinating Facts" about this era, a Timeline, a couple of pages that include Museums, Websites, Historic Homes, Reenactments, National Military Parks, Civil War Cemeteries, Genealogy Info, and a list of Places to Visit, a Glossary, and Index, as well as a list of Acknowledgments.
Some new and interesting things that I found intriguing:
Edmund Ruffin was a Virginia farmer and a leading Fire-Eater. He helped South Carolina organize their secession campaign in 1860. He fired one of the first shots at Fort Sumter to begin the Civil War. After the conflict, he died by suicide rather than live under Union rule. Now, this is what I call being dedicated to a cause!
When the Civil War began in 1861, the number of slaves in the U.S. was nearly FOUR MILLION!!!!!
In the presidential election of 1860, slavery was the main topic of debate (no surprise). The Constitution Party said slavery and the Constitution should be left as they were. The Democratic Party split into those who SUPPORTED slavery and those who wanted a compromise. It was the 6-year old Republican Party that OPPOSED slavery. Its candidate, Illinois ATTORNEY Abraham Lincoln, had limited experience in government. Remember, he had run against Stephen Douglas in 1858 for his senate seat and lost. Lincoln's opponents were outraged when Lincoln won the election. Pro-slavery Americans were expected to accept a leader they did not want, so they took matters into their own hands, sort of speak, and ...
Lincoln won the 1860 Election with 1.86 million votes out of 4.68 million votes cast.
Also, even though Andrew Johnson was from the South (Tennessee), he was still a Union loyalist, so this put him at odds with some people from the South.
Sojourner Truth's book sales (Best Seller, Narrative of Sojourner Truth) helped fund the work of the Underground Railroad.
Did you know that more than 90% of those who served in the Civil War were volunteers?
The information provided about some groups, i.e. Indigenous people, Irishmen, Jews, Italians, and Germans being discouraged from joining the Union and Confederate armies, and then forming their own volunteer regiments was fascinating!
I knew a lot about women and their roles in the Civil War, but I had never heard of Susie King Taylor. She was the first Black nurse in the Civil War after she escaped slavery in 1862. Later, she became the first Black woman to openly teach Black students in Georgia. In 1902, she became the first AND only Black woman to publish a memoir of her experiences during the war.
This is a good one! Some young volunteers wrote the number 18 on a piece of paper and then stuffed the paper into their shoe. When asked if they were over 18, the boys believed that they could answer, "yes" without having to lie since they were technically standing "over" the "18." It's funny now, but WOW!
My paternal grandfather was a doctor during World War II, so I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Medical Equipment used back in the day.
The number of generals killed in the Civil War was 124.
When the Civil War began, free Black people could NOT join the Union Army. It wasn't until after Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 that Congress passed a law allowing Black men to join the Union Army. They were paid less than white soldiers, and if captured, they were shot or enslaved. Surprisingly, this did not stop Black men from taking part in combat, and many were awarded the Medal of Honor, the Union's highest award for bravery.
In this book, there is a picture of three men holding saxhorns. Although no longer played, this instrument resembles a tuba with an extra long bell.
I did not know that Confederate President Jefferson Davis' first wife was the daughter of future U.S. President, Zachary Taylor. She passed away just months after they were married.
The photographs tied to General William T. Sherman's March to the Sea were amazing to view. I had never seen any of these, before.
My, how far some people fell ... John C. Breckinridge, who had been President Buchanan's (just before Lincoln) Vice President and ran against Lincoln for the presidency in 1860, and then became a Confederate General after that loss, eventually fled to Canada with his family after the war. Luckily (for him), he was not punished for his part in the conflict, and was later able to return to the U.S. and his home state of Kentucky where he went into private legal practice.
Outstanding!
November 17, 2025
Another great book with this one. It is very image driven and key facts about key battles, figures, and events that changed the outcome of the Civil War. It talks about leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant, and the horrors of slavery from this time period. It is a very informative book and would be beneficial to have in my classroom. It fits the needs of many different learners due to the amount of photos/visuals involved in the book, and the short nature of the book in general.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews