Denise Daley (Children's Literature)
The title refers to the factual story of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis as they commanded the Union forces and Confederate armies, respectively. This book reads more like a novel than a biographical tome or textbook. In fact, the author’s note states that he wrote American history textbooks and as he did his research he copied down the many fascinating quotes and antidotes he came across. Unfortunately, the majority of this “real-life” information could not be included in the textbooks, so the author uses them in this book. This information provides an emotional, sometimes shocking, sometimes humorous, but always very human perspective about the people who were involved in the American Civil War. Readers will appreciate the combination of numerous quotes and factual data that make this sometimes boring subject extremely interesting and easy to read. The book is filled with comical black-and-white illustrations that add to the book’s whimsical feel. 2008, Flash Point/Roaring Brook Press, $19.95. Ages 10 to 14.

Elisabeth Tully (Library Media Connection, September 2008)
Subtitled "Everything your schoolbooks didn't tell you about the Civil War," this volume is part of a planned series of books intended to "put the story back in history." This volume satisfies the basic requirements for historical writing (the events should be presented accurately and without bias in an appropriate sequence) but it places top priority on making the narrative interesting. While it would be correct to think of the book as "Civil War history for reluctant readers," that would be selling it short. The lively style, whimsical language, attractive layout, and graphically rich presentation will appeal to all readers. The authors are good writers who understand how to hook their readers. They develop three-dimensional characters, pose interesting questions, build suspense, and provide satisfying resolution. I particularly liked the section "Whatever happened to.? This section continues the stories of key individuals who figured in the Civil War era. In addition, the book provides source notes and an extensive bibliography. Recommended. 2008, Flash Point (Roaring Brook Press), 192pp., $19.95 hc.. Ages 9 to 14.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, September 2008 (Vol. 62, No. 1))
The premise is promising—erstwhile textbook writer Sheinkin aims to rework standard, boring presentations with all the material he collected that didn’t make it into “those big books that break your back when you carry them.” Then he opens with the rousing episode in which Congressman Preston Brooks is about to beat Senator Charles Sumner bloody with a walking cane. From there on in, the course of the retelling doesn’t actually diverge too far from the material attentive kids have already heard in class—reviewing the causes of the Civil War, discussing the proximate events that kicked off secession and open hostilities, and retracing the military campaign. It’s hard to blame Sheinkin for covering such well-trodden ground; how could this be a Civil War history otherwise? What he does accomplish, though, is to recast the story in informal prose, place events occurring simultaneously into easy-to-follow order, and move the juicier bits generally relegated to sidebars into the body of the text. Add well-placed maps and sharp, witty cartoon-style illustration, and you have an offering that is easily digestible for most grade-schoolers and covers material that most social studies teachers would be happy to have their students comprehend. A couple of evenings spent with this title could be as beneficial, and a lot more pleasant, than the same time spent cramming for the test. The bound volume will include an index Review Code: R -- Recommended. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2008, Flash Point/Roaring Brook, 224p.; Reviewed from galleys, $19.95. Grades 4-8.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Fall 2008)
Sheinkin's entertaining histories cover the Revolutionary and Civil wars. George (originally Storyteller's History: The American Revolution) begins with thirteen ways to start a revolution. Miserable opens with thirteen ways to rip a country apart. Each book includes personal, frequently irreverent, accounts of the participants. The layouts invite browsing: bold subheadings, short exposition, numerous pen-and-ink cartoonlike illustrations, and plenty of maps. Bib., ind. Category: Nonfiction-History. 2008, Roaring Brook/Flash Point, 220pp, $19.95 (hb). Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 2: Superior, well above average.