The Battle of Gettysburg is considered the bloodiest battle of the American Civil War--and in the history of the U.S. military. This battle marked a turning point in the Civil War and set the stage for the Union's ultimate victory over the Confederacy. The story of Gettysburg is presented to readers in an age-appropriate and achievable way, through clear and focused text and carefully chosen historical images. As readers learn more about the people involved in this battle, its context within the war, and its far-reaching effects, they strengthen their understanding of essential U.S. history topics and learn to think critically about historical events.