Although the twin Federal victory at Gettysburg often captures more popular attention, many scholars consider Vicksburg to be the Civil War's decisive action. The Vicksburg Campaign builds on the campaign's well-established literature, including the author's Leadership Lessons: The Campaign for Vicksburg, 1862-63 (Casemate, 2011), to provide a readable narrative that synthesizes other scholarship. It is designed to be an introductory survey of the campaign for those new to the subject, as well as a convenient single-volume reference for the more seasoned reader.

Sufficient background information is contained in introductory chapters that identify the key Federal and Confederate players and the strategic setting that brought Vicksburg to the forefront of the Western Theater. The action is then traced from such early failed attempts as Farragut's navy only effort and Grant's series of canal schemes to the brilliant campaign of manoeuvre that left Pemberton besieged inside Vicksburg. In addition to the narrative account, The Vicksburg Campaign includes information about Vicksburg National Military Park, the Federal and Confederate Orders of Battle, and the Medal of Honor at Vicksburg as appendices.