An excellent text, this author combines small character vignettes with the clash of arms and movements of field units in an extremely effective manner. If there this a historical text that truly lets you (figuratively) smell the gunpowder of battle this is it. This is combined with an excellent sense of pace and concept of the engagement without losing site of the overall battle. As result this audio book does not seem long at all and the while you may know the outcome of the battle, the narrative is both gripping and compelling. Historical writing at it’s best the author does not losing himself in controversies of history, nor becomes bogged down in the profiles of the parties introduced. If one day a virtual and interactive companion to the battle of Antietam should be made, this text would be a superb counterpart.