It was a prosperous small city, displaying more than its share of provincial charm alongside the Appomattox River, second only to Richmond in Virginia's population. It was near to open fields but held enough small industry to show potential for new wealth. Unfortunately, it was also part of a thoroughfare that was an element of strategy for both sides of the Civil War. Greene, an executive director for national parks, fills in the gaps in the literature of place and time in his account of this unique place with its high percentage of free African Americans and conservative Unionists. He shows how Petersburg entered the sentiment for war late but eventually enthusiastically, a decision which led to decimation as the city became a way station for soldiers, a temporary haven for the wounded, and finally a near-ruin. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)