re: I want to learn about the Civil War

Certainly start with the Foote series. It can be daunting, but it will give you a solid foundational footing for the entire conflict. Once you are there, I would go to Company Aytch, as it gives you a view of a typical front line soldier. Burns uses quotes from this book a good bit in the documentary.

If you have ancestors who fought and know which regiments they were a part of, try to find books on those particular units. I find it makes a much more personal connection if you can read about what your ancestors were doing and where they saw action. These books can also give a better aspect of the feelings of the soldiers - why were these particular men fighting, what was their overarching reason for going to war? I have over 30 Johnny Rebs and a handful of Billy Yanks in my family tree, and I have several books on those specific units.

The Shaara trilogy is a great read, and Jeff's four book series on the western theater is really good - although I thought he missed out by writing around Chickamauga and Atlanta and not including them