Volume 1: "The coming fury" describes the people and politics, social and economic forces which came together to drive the nation apart, from a political convention in Charleston in 1860 through the first, stunning impact of the Battle of Bull Run. Volume 2: "Terrible swift sword" traces the personalities and actions leading to the Emancipation Proclamation and the removal of General McClellan from command of the North's principal army. Volume 3: "Never call retreat" carries the war from Fredericksburg, and through many campaigns to the death of Lincoln and the war's end.