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There are many interesting and delightful news bits in this book. Lots of things you'll not encounter unless you read every Civil War book avalibale. Easy read. You'll also want to keep it close at hand while reading other books to jog your memory on an event.

The First, and Still the Best of All Civil War Trivia Books!

When "The Civil War: Strange & Fascinating Facts" or, "Our Incredible Civil War" was first published in 1960, America was on the eve of "celebrating" the 100 anniversary of that poignant, defining moment in our history. We were also on the verge of finally bringing those rights to Black Americans that rightfully should have been granted after Appomattox.

Burke Davis' book was an instant bestseller then. And almost 45 years later still is.

Mr. Davis covers the all of the major and minor incidents of the Civil War, from 1812 war veteran and Gettysburg civilian John Burns grabbing his musket and going to fight alongside the Union Iron Brigade at that decisive battle, to the tragedy of Confederate Isidore Guillen, who inherited the horse that his two brothers were killed riding on, only to be mortally wounded himself, to the humorous story of Jason the mule, who would go into the tent of a Confederate colonel late at night because that colonel resembled his owner!

Davis also cites practically all of the amazing inventions of the Civil War, and he was the first historian to cite the story of the C.S.S. Hunley, the Rebel sub that was the first to sink an enemy vessel, but went down with all hands in Charleston Harbor.

There are also enthralling chapters on foreigners who served on both sides, on spies,on famous sea battles, including the one between the U.S.S. Kearsarge and the C.S.S Alabama in the French harbor of Cherbourg, thousands of miles away from North and South,and yes, there is even a chapter on sex in the Civil War too.

This book is a treasure trove for Civil War enthusiasts (I have sent copies of it to my friends) - and the word "trivia" demeans its importance. But I couldn't think of another word to describe it in my review title.

Thank You Very Much for this book, Mr. Burke Davis.

Fun reading

Every Christmas, someone gives me a copy of this book. Even though I enjoyed it, PLEASE do not send me ANY MORE, as I have 9 copies already. This is a fun read, even if you are not a Civil War buff. It's historical trivia that goes a long way to show that people do not change. The ironic twists of fate, coincidence, the stupidty of war and the general folly of human nature. Here are stories of gallantry, humor, tragedy, fatal mistakes, famous onlookers and witnesses and sex, (oooh, hide the children!) From the human side of Robert E. Lee, U.S. Grant, Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln to the "firsts" of the war (balloons used for signaling, underwater mines, large scale use of repeating rifles, telegraphs, etc) the casual reader will find plenty of tidbits to pass the time. I just wish the artwork had been better.