War and suffering began in Jackson and surrounding counties of Missouri in the early 1830's with the persecution and expulsion from the state of the Mormons. Then in the 1850's the Border War broke out with between the remaining inhabitants and those living in eastern Kansas. When the Border War came to a close the U.S. Civil War began. In 1865 when that war ended for the rest of the country, Jackson and surrounding counties continued to suffer from the "Bushwhackers" who terrified, pillaged, killed, and destroyed the people and the countryside until the 1880's. One writer wrote, "Nowhere during the Civil War did people suffer such terror and tribulation as those unfortunate enough to reside in the guerrilla-infested regions of Missouri." [Jackson and surrounding Counties] “Compared to what they experienced, the civilians who were in the path of Sherman's famed March to the Sea through Georgia got off lightly.”

Apocalypse: The Great Day of the Lord for the Righteous is a positive look at the positive events of the Apocalypse. Just saying the word brings to mind the idea of mass destruction. Many think of a fiery end to life on earth or of zombies shuffling ominously through the streets. Focusing on the negative makes it an unpleasant subject. Contrary to these ideas, this book on the Apocalypse focuses on the great blessings that the righteous will receive when the Lord comes—a great and glorious day with no fear of the destruction that will simultaneously come down upon the heads of the wicked. For the wicked, it will indeed be a dreadful day, and they will call upon the mountains and rocks to hide them when the full fury of the Lord's anger is poured out upon them (see Revelation 6:16). For the righteous, it will be a day of unimaginable joy—a day of resurrection, of peace, of safety, and of living under the rule of our Eternal King, the Lord Jesus Christ. If we remember this, we can more fully appreciate the "great day" aspect of the Second Coming of Christ, as opposed to a fearful approach. That is the purpose of this book, so that we, along with the Apostle John on the Isle of Patmos, will feel to say, "Even so, come, Lord Jesus[!]" (Revelation 22:20). The cover features a stunning image of the Lord descending through the clouds of glory, as painted by Del Parson.

John Christgau relates the true story of the rescue of Walker's thirteen slaves by soldiers of the Ninth Minnesota Regiment and the soldiers' subsequent arrest for mutiny.

Neely considers the war’s destructiveness in a comparative context, revealing the sense of limit that guided the conduct of American soldiers and statesmen. Modern overemphasis on violence in Civil War literature has led many scholars to go too far in drawing analogies with the 20th century’s “total war” and the grim guerrilla struggles of Vietnam.