The American Civil War's expansive Western Theater saw enormously important military campaigning during the period between 1861 and July, 1863.  This book which is the third in a four-volume series examines the geographical, logistical and strategic factors that shaped fighting in this theater of the American Civil War.  Also covered, are the officers who played key roles in the Western theater during the first several years of the Civil War.  Stories covered includes Ulysses S. Grant's important capture of rebel positions before marching south to win the Battle of Shiloh, as well as, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston who was considered the pride of the south.  It also covers the dramatic events that took place during the siege of Vicksburg which at the time was the Confederates last major fort on the Mississippi River.  The major sections of this book are as follows: 1) Introduction; 2) Chronology; 3) Warring sides - The North and South compared; 4) Outbreak - A nation at war; 5) The fighting - Struggle for the heartland; 6) Common soldiers - Billy Yank and Johnny Reb at war; 7) Portrait of a soldier - John Beatty, a Union soldier; 8) The world around war - Societies at war; 9) Portrait of a civilian - Kate Stone, a Confederate civilian; 10) How the war ended - The promise of summer; 11) Bibliography and 12) Index.  In addition to an informative narrative, this book includes the following features: 1) Approximately 18   black and white photographs; 2) About 21 black and white illustrations; 3) Approximately 5 color illustrations and 4)  9 Maps.  This book is 96 pages and is in excellent condition.  The author is Stephen D. Engle.  Edition published in 2001.