This little reported war-within-a-war surprised me with its violence and treachery. It explains to me, a Yankee child growing up in the Deep South, how a vanquished people could so proudly cling to an evil system such as slavery and its aftermath - much more than mere battles, which are grimly related, State of Jones documents that the institution of slavery and the wealth it provided many slave holders truly was the reason for this war (revisionist historians have tried to claim States Rights and other reasons, but the documents of the day state clearly the intent to defend privilege, property and wealth, the most 'valuable' being slaves)... because such passions and fears were aroused (still are) I was pleased that so many of the characters were treated as real people, complex and not always able to live up to their own ideals. Of course there are utter fools and criminals, too, especially general officers imagining that the lives of their troops were a mere  expense for personal advancement. But this is essentially a family story pitting small farmers against plantation owners, deserters, disenfranchised indians and runaway slaves against the power of the Confederacy during and after this most uncivil of wars. A thing never taught in southern schools is the racism of Andrew Johnson, who literally returned the property and positions of slave holders, removed U.S. Army troops and restoration/constitutional government from the southern states. In effect, Johnson reversed the outcome of the war and let the South claim, despite its destruction, that southern blood and principles had WON the war. So began the rise of the KKK, black 'freedom' without rights and other terrorist activities which still existed well into my lifetime. A powerful book about a much ignored part of American history. Well researched and told. Highly recommended.