"A timely new look at the key military leaders of the Civil War--with rankings, photos, and more. By the time the Civil War was over, 583 generals had served in the Union army and 572 in the Confederate army. A few were brilliant. Many should never have held command. But others learned on the job and did their utmost--or even gave their utmost...best-selling author and military historian Alan Axelrod chooses the two dozen generals who had the greatest impact on the course and outcome of the war..."--Dust jacket.