No single group of men at West Point--or possibly any academy--has been so indelibly written into history as the class of 1846. The names are legendary: Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, George B. McClellan, Ambrose Powell Hill, Darius Nash Couch, George Edward Pickett, Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox, and George Stoneman. The class fought in three wars, produced twenty generals, and left the nation a lasting legacy of bravery, brilliance, and bloodshed.

This fascinating, remarkably intimate chronicle traces the lives of these unforgettable men--their training, their personalities, and the events in which they made their names and met their fates. Drawing on letters, diaries, and personal accounts, John C. Waugh has written a collective biography of masterful proportions, as vivid and engrossing as fiction in its re-creation of these brilliant figures and their pivotal roles in American history.

History does not simply happen. Most often it is the result of years of graduate training, assiduous research, and careful writing. Without historians we would be ignorant of our history. Yet, far too often we focus on the final product and ignore the dedicated men and women who have dedicated their lives to producing the books. So how do historians work? The answer, as revealed in the pages of this exciting new anthology, is as varied as the historians themselves. The editors have interviewed some of the nation's most highly respected practitioners to determine their approach to teaching, research, and writing. While no two of them work the same way, they all share the conviction that the study of history is vital to mankind's sense of itself. They value rigorous training and conscientious professionalism. Both aspiring and professional historians will delight in learning how historians do their work, define their craft, and work their magic.

The award-winning historian John C.Waugh takes us on Lincoln's road to the CivilWar. From Lincoln's first public rejection of slavery to his secret arrival in the capital, from his stunning debates with Stephen Douglas to his more contemplative moments, Waugh shows us America as Lincoln saw it and as Lincoln described it.Much of this wonderful story is told by Lincoln himself, detailing through his own writing his emergence onto the political scene and the evolution of his beliefs about the Union, the Constitution, democracy, slavery, and the buildup to the CivilWar. In this acclaimed biography, Waugh brings us ever closer to understanding this mysterious, complicated, and truly great man.

Admiral David Farragut eyed a potentially lethal minefield guarding the entrance to Mobile Bay, Alabama, as his attack column of ironclad monitors rushed forward, opening the assault against the Confederate citadels on shore. One vessel, the USS Tecumseh, looked every inch an invincible monster. As the sleek, turreted warship drew close to its Rebel enemies, a geyser of water shot up on its starboard side followed by a muffled rumble. The ship heeled over and sank in seconds, carried to its watery doom by its own war-speed and momentum. Crewmen aboard the rest of the Union ships looked on in horror. "Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead " Admiral David Farragut shouted from the bridge of the USS Hartford as he sensed the growing panic among his sailors. As the vessel churned forward the primer caps of primitive but deadly naval "Torpedoes" dubbed "infernal machines" by the men who faced them snapped and popped beneath the Yankee ships but failed to explode. Despite the threat of instant and violent death, the Hartford pressed on, inspiring the rest of the fleet and leading toward ultimate victory. These words, some of the most famous in American history, were written in fire and blood that August day as the United States Navy came of age. Award-winning author Jack Waugh takes a fresh look at the stirring events surrounding the capture of one of the confederacy's most important cities, Mobile, Alabama. John C. Waugh is no stranger to readers of history. Two of his books, The Class of 1846: From West Point to Appomattox and Reelecting Lincoln: The Battle for the 1864 Presidency have received numerous awards and critical acclaim. He now brings these impressive skills to his second book in the Civil War Campaigns and Commanders Series. Waugh, a distinguished journalist and editor, has an impressive list of publications to his credit. Waugh retired to Arlington, Texas, after a long and noteworthy career as bureau chief and staff correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor. His writings have appeared in the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, American Heritage, and Civil War Times Illustrated. He is also the author of Sam Bell Maxey and the Confederate Indians, another Civil War Campaigns and Commanders title.