I’m the author of five books on the Civil War battles, three of them on the battle of Gettysburg, one on Shiloh and one on Antietam. I try not to simply write “history books;” rather I tell stories – true ones – that are hopefully entertaining as well as informing, while sticking absolutely true to the facts to the best of my knowledge.

Although I love military history, I consider myself more of a presenter than a historian, meaning that, rather than unearthing new facts, I concentrate more on presenting the facts, while taking full advantage of modern technology when possible. For example, in studying battles, it’s always frustrated me to encounter thick books loaded with text, but which contain only a few obscure maps. In contrast, most of my books are loaded with photos, maps, and illustrations, often with links to on-line Google maps and/or YouTube battlefield videos.

Although Americans were once justifiably proud of the fact that the nation was able to knit itself back together after such a terrible civil war, today we once again live in divisive times unseen since that war, and writers and teachers are expected to choose sides and deliver politically-correct homilies, depending on which way the political winds are blowing at the moment. I don’t do that. My only agenda is the truth. As far as I’m concerned, the Civil War participants on both sides were Americans, products of their time and environment, and quite prepared to die for what they believed in. And I honor all of them equally.

And so, as an author, I just tell what happened and let readers sort out the heroes and villains to suit themselves.

As always, I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I did writing them!

Jack Kunkel