Silent Witness

Compiled by an acclaimed Civil War historian, this beautiful volume explores how photography shaped the way contemporary people viewed the war, and the way it still shapes our view of the conflict to this day. The book also examines how photography became a military tool, quickly giving commanders accurate maps for the first time, and also documents the lives of the photographers themselves.

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The Civil War changed America forever. It shaped its future and determined its place in history. For the first time in military history, the camera was there to record these seismic events, from innovations in military and naval warfare, to the battles themselves; from commanders at critical moments in the battle, to the ordinary soldier tentatively posing for his first ever portrait on the eve of battle.

Displaying many rare images unearthed by the author, an acclaimed Civil War historian, this beautiful volume explores how the camera bore witness to the dramatic events of the Civil War. It reveals not only how the first photographers plied their trade, but also how photography helped shape the outcome of the war and how it was reported to anxious families across the North and South.