Sister States, Enemy States takes a comparative look at the war in Tennessee and Kentucky with an emphasis on the differences between the two states, and the ways in which these led to a largely Unionist Kentucky and a mostly Secessionist Tennessee. 

The 16 essays are grouped in three broad categories.  The first takes a look at the dynamics of secessionism in the two states, which reflected political, social, economic, and cultural, differences between them, as well the quality of leadership.  The second examines the ways in which irregular warfare in each state reflected these differences, and covers some particularly violent incidents and people, as well as the plight of African Americans during the war.  The third and last section deals with the ways in which the war affected each state. 

All of the essays are interesting and useful, and some are outstanding, notably Derek W. Frisby;s discussion of West Tennessee during the secession crisis, which cogently argues that the state's secession was the result of a massive campaign of intimidation, violence, and outright fraud orchestraed by a secessionist governor, which kept the Unionist vote down.