Beginning this year, it is the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War. There are some excellent historical fiction books on library shelves. John Jakes is one of the most celebrated historical fiction writers.  Jakes wrote several books about the old South and the Civil War. Probably his best known are the North and South Trilogy that was made into a miniseries for television.

More recently released fiction and nonfiction:

1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart (Apr 5, 2011)

The Story of a Common Soldier of Army Life in the Civil War, 1861-1865 by Leander Stillwell (Jul 18, 2011)

Where the Mockingbird Sang: A novel of the Civil War by David Wilson Atwood (May 20, 2010)

Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia by Jessica James (Jan 19, 2008)

Try these and others. Enjoy!