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James McPherson

This person is the author of the book and a Pulitzer-Prize winning writer.

Civil War Soldiers

This group is the main focus of the book; it seeks to answer why this group took the actions they did.

Union Soldiers

This group was the invading force in the conflict and tended to have more abstract and ideological motivations for their actions.

Confederate Soldiers

This group was the defending force in the conflict and tended to have motivations of duty, honor, and defense of liberty for their actions.

Enlisted Men

This group was largely comprised of volunteers that often resented the discipline imposed on them.

Officers

This group joined the war effort voluntarily and were often motivated by thoughts of glory; they found other groups in the war effort undisciplined.

Slaves

This group was not initially the focus of the conflict for either side, but liberating this group...

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