An enduring dichotomy of war is that even as it evolves, its savage heart remains unchanged. For more than two decades Green Beret combat veteran, David A. Maurer, delved into the Civil War in order to compare his experiences in Southeast Asia with those of his great-granduncle, Jacob Shriver, who fought for the Union during the War of Rebellion.

At times their two paths nearly merge when shared circumstances clear the blur of history. The rush of gratitude felt when sideling up to a campfire on a wet, cold night does not change. As this book reveals, just as unchangeable is the core of war that combat veterans see.