A Short History of the Civil War

If Fletcher Pratt is remembered at all these days, he is probably recalled for his fantasy works, especially his long-standing friendship with L. Sprague de Camp and their collaborations. But in his lifetime he was well known as a writer of non-fiction, bringing his skilled pen and knowledgeable mind to bear especially in the field of military history. *An Ordeal By Fire; or a Short History of the Civil War* was one of his first histories, and one of his most popular. It covers the Civil War in a quick, readable tone from beginning to end, and is one of the few works of popular history that stands up well on an academic level as well.