[header] How to become a civil war buff [title] Access primary documents from the civil war. [step] The most defining characteristic of a civil war buff is his or her extensive knowledge about the civil war. There are many great sources of information about the civil war, available online or at your local bookstore. 
[substeps] There are hundreds of books on this topic, so choosing some might seem daunting at first. Many writers have published lists of their favorites, which may help you choose some books.