The Sixth Wisconsin and the Long Civil War: The Biography of a Regiment

Marten (emeritus, history, Marquette Univ.; Sing Not War) offers a compelling and innovative approach to Civil War history, reimagining the genre through the lens of a single regiment and tracing that history from before, during, and after the war. The text’s originality shines through its fresh perspective, incorporating a vast archive to provide new insights into the experiences of soldiers and their families. By focusing on the roughly 2,000 men of the Sixth Wisconsin (who fought in Second Manassas, Antietam, and Gettysburg), the book offers a unique and multifaceted account of the conflict. In clear and accessible language, Marten makes complex military maneuvers and historical context easily understandable for both scholars and general readers. The book’s writing style blends academic rigor with narrative genius, and the inclusion of nine black-and-white photographs helps tell the story of the Sixth Wisconsin regiment more fully.