THE reasons behind the American Civil War and the defeat of the Confederacy still capture the attention. Indeed, the subject has been discussed by eminent historians gathering in Gettysburg to give their opinions on the outcome of the war. In Dixie Betray

THE reasons behind the American Civil War and the defeat of the Confederacy still capture the attention.

Indeed, the subject has been discussed by eminent historians gathering in Gettysburg to give their opinions on the outcome of the war.

In Dixie Betrayed, David Eicher sets out to explain the reason behind the South's loss.

The key to his book is that rather than the South being united it was determined to keep its state rights.

This, obviously, caused problems over conducting a war when too many decisions where taking place away from the centre.

Eicher, too, uses a number of unexploited sources to reveal the battle Confederate president Jefferson Davis had with his own side.