A definitive study of the climactic and pivotal battle of Antietam offers a vivid account of the two armies, the soldiers and officers, and the bitter, bloody campaign and analyzes the impact of Antietam on the Civil War as a whole.

Prologue. The last, best hope. The limits of limited war -- Confederate tide -- Will send you trophies -- Fire on the mountain -- We will make our stand -- To the Dunker church -- A savage continual thunder -- The spires of Sharpsburg -- To nobly save or meanly lose -- Epilogue. A last farewell.