The North and the South had grown apart, developing different ways of life with different types of problems. To the South, compromise no longer seemed possible. Southerners wanted to govern themselves as a separate nation. To the North, the formation of the Confederate States of America was thought of as treason. A Civil War between the North and the South seemed unavoidable.

Nation at War: Soldiers, Saints, and Spies tells the story of how the Civil War began and details the many personalities — both from the North and the South — who contributed to this bloody conflict between the states. Meet the generals who led armies into battle as well soldiers who bravely fought for their causes. Discover how women and children played a role in the war as spies, messengers, and musicians. Explore the history of battles through the photographers and writers who captured the events. And see how animal mascots made the horrors of war bearable.