What's the best single book to read about the American Civil War? I have only time and interest for one book, a fondness for historical fiction but desire to be informed about the background, history, politics and social/cultural significance of the war.
posted by NorthCoastCafe on Oct 10, 2009 - 19 answers

Can anyone help me solve a Civil War mystery? [more inside]
posted by ValkoSipuliSuola on Aug 2, 2009 - 12 answers

Two Canadians planning a stop in Gettysburg, PA and trying to see as much as possible without breaking the bank. How do we make the most of it? [more inside]
posted by BlzOfGlry on Jan 4, 2009 - 7 answers

I'm constructing an argument in favor of giving the U.S. Civil War a greater emphasis in secondary (High School) education. I'm interested in those events and conditions during and following the Civil War that had profound impacts on U.S. and world history. Obviously, abolition of slavery, the 13-15th Amendments, and restoration of the Union are important. However, I'm sure there are other important and far-reaching effects that many people don't know about...please, enlighten me!
posted by EKStickland on Apr 29, 2008 - 25 answers

Why was a confederate flag used for the ceremony welcoming the pope to the white house?
posted by hortense on Apr 22, 2008 - 4 answers

How was the Civil War .58 Springfield rifle reloaded? I understand that it was a percussion-cap rifle rather than a flintlock, and that it fired a muzzle-loaded minie ball. But what was the reloading process? What did the ammunition look like? There was no metal cartridge involved? How long did it take to reload and fire one of those things? Thanks, from a firearms n00b!
posted by jackypaper on Oct 22, 2007 - 8 answers

Are there any extant photographs taken from balloons during the American Civil War? [more inside]
posted by viewofdelft on May 22, 2007 - 7 answers

Where might one find Civil War-era suits like the ones found in the movie Gangs of New York in either NYC area or online? Nothing antique necessary, just replicas/costumes.
posted by Ekim Neems on Mar 21, 2006 - 4 answers

I'm an Aussie who is going to be spending a month in northern Georgia, in the area of Cedartown/Tallapoosa visiting his girlfriend's mother and boyfriend for Christmas. I'm looking for cheap and interesting things to see and do in the area -the weirder the better. I'm not adverse to travelling into Atlanta. Any advice you could give would be much appreciated!
posted by mikeybidness on Nov 14, 2005 - 12 answers

What would Lincoln have done if the south had not fired on Fort Sumter? [more inside]
posted by IndigoJones on Sep 28, 2005 - 12 answers