AllMovie

Inspired no doubt by the unabated fascination with America's Civil War, Civil War Journal: Preserving the Past takes an in-depth look at this emotionally charged period of American History. Experts explore pivotal decisions and battles to help the viewer understand this struggle that often pitted family members against one another. Famous battlegrounds at Antietam, Gettysburg, and Appomattox are toured, and re-enactments help paint a picture of how these battles looked. The program also covers the modern-day battle by historians and many others to preserve the historical Civil War sites against encroaching commercialization.