This is an exploration of the Civil War Charleston Campaign through the lens of leadership. Part One is ""Understanding Charleston."" It contains sections on leadership, a Campaign overview, and a brief introduction to the key participants. Part Two comprises 21 leadership vignettes that span the actions of the most senior leaders down to those of individual soldiers. Each vignette provides the context, explains the action in the terms of leadership lessons learned, and concludes with a list of ""take-aways"" to crystallise the lessons for the reader.

The book ends with some summary information and includes a set of conclusions about leadership during the Charleston Campaign. Although it featured some of the era's most advanced military technology, the Charleston Campaign was decided by more than just shot and shell, and this book offers a perspective of the campaign as a leadership laboratory.