Blue and Gray Laughing

Much has been written of the horror and tragedy of *our war*; it is refreshing to have this bit of laughter to lighten the shadows. Every Civil War speaker should be grateful to Dr. Zall for his wonderful gathering of wit and humor: many of these stories will find their way into the opening remarks of speakers at Civil War Round Tables and other organizations throughout the country. And the average Civil War buff will probably find this to be an excellent, lighthearted gift for a friend. It is also fitting that through the generosity of Dr. Zall and Rank and File Publications, the proceeds of a book essentially "written" by Civil War soldiers should be used to preserve and commemorate the hallowed grounds where so many of those very soldiers fought and died. Those of us who study the Civil Warr have an obligation to save as many of the actual battlefields as is reasonable and practical. Dr. Zall's concern for battlefield preservation will help in this effort. All in all, *Blue and Gray Laughing* is a welcome addition to Civil War literature. And a funny one. Civil War soldiers needed humor. In today's world, we probably need more books like this one.