From du Pont's gunpowder and Borden's condensed milk to Procter & Gamble's soap and Brooks Brothers' uniforms, this history investigates how today's familiar brand names served a vital role for the Union during the Civil War. Rarely told stories from the companies who supplied soldiers and sailors with food, clothing, weapons, and medicine recount tales of political intrigue, family and friends torn apart, and paths crossed with Abraham Lincoln. Not only do these accounts mirror the war itself, they also show that life during conflict can often be as intriguing and dangerous for a company of employees as it is a company of soldiers. This well-written, thoroughly researched study should be of interest to readers who wish to expand their knowledge of the Civil War and American business history. --Mark R. Wilson, author, The Business of Civil War The author's well-written, highly original, and well-researched study fills a void in Civil War knowledge. --Thomas P. Lowry, author, The Story the Soldiers Wouldn't Tell Readers will gain new insight. -- Pittsburg Sunday Tribune-Review James M. Schmidt is the author of more than 50 articles on American history. He has been featured in Chemical Heritage , Civil War News , Learning through History , North & South , and World War II .