In this volume, Professor McPherson examines in detail the socio-political, economic and cultural contradictions that made the Civil War inevitable, paints a broad panorama of military operations, industrial mobilization and diplomatic maneuvers of the parties, and sketches brief but expressive portraits of the main figures of the era. The lively style of presentation, combined with the rigor of scientific research, based on a huge array of documents and historical literature, makes “Battle Cry of Freedom” equally interesting to both specialists and history buffs.