I thought this was a fantastic book. I loved how it focused on a smaller, lesser known part of the Civil War and connected it to the broader picture. I learned a lot from this book and I will be recommending this one too everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to read it early! Fantastic book!

Thanks to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the privilege of being offered to read this pre published book, views expressed are my own.
I believe the author James has taken over 8 years on this, dare I say, seminal work. Yes its a niche book which draws upon myriads of first hand documentation of the 6th Wisconsin that earned its title as part of the 'Iron Brigade' Union, very early on during the American Civil War 1861- 1865.
As an aside many Civil War regiments had nicknames such as "Swamphogs" 19th Indiana Infantry, "Mozart Regiment" 40th New York Infantry; with the Iornbrigade in my opinion holding a special place and achievements with other regiments very aware of its stalwart nature in battle.
This book does not just list the battles and skirmishes that the regiment took part in, no what James has meticulously done to document the social, the individual experiences, insights gleaned from a huge number of archival letters, reports and memoirs of those who fought and died during those 4 years of war. In 1890 RUFUS R. DAWP:S. wrote in his preface
"With the hope that I may contribute something of value for the history of one of the most faithful and gallant regiments in the army of the Union, the Sixth Wisconsin Volunteers, and with the especial object of preserving tor our children a record of personal experiences in the war, this book has been published."
James Marten has taken a huge leap and expanded on this drawing upon over a hundred plus years of gathered information and continued where Rufus left of - James does mention Rufus and draws from his book, there is a huge reference section and further reading offered. The 6th "Wisconsin and the long Civil War" is divided into specific chapters exploring the early days of volunteering for the regiment, sharing details who joined up, why some recruits were declined - never thought about it but you were exempt at joining if you had lost your two front teeth !! reason being you were unable to tear off the tops off cartridges. Chapters on first exposure to battle, casualties, statistics on origin, injuries and everything that you as a reader or historian would be interested in, skirmishes and details of the larger picture of war can be found elsewhere is strategic and tactical books.
I found it a huge log of information each 'bit' links to an individual even causing me an emotional moment or two as James account is so personal. There is so much in here it suits a dip and return many times and can very happily sit on your self to be picked up and delved into again and again. A wonderful dive into personal aspects of the 6th Wisconsin.

Vital addition to Civil War scholarship that takes previously used archives and presents a new perspective to America's most costly War. Using the sources of one regiment to create a macro history is a brilliant methodology for historians.