Giants in the Cornfield adds a fresh dimension to Civil War literature with this extensive social study of the life and culture of the young, uneducated farmers of the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The work focuses on the interactions of a single, homogeneous unit of Hoosier common soldiers: neighbors and chums from the same county, village, and family, many from areas sympathetic to the Confederacy, who endured three years of hardships to save the Union.

This human interest story captures the mental, emotional, and social environment within which these 1,181 men served and fought. Utilizing thousands of letters, official and family records, diaries, and memoirs, Jones weaves a special regimental personality, character, profile, and history by examining their family and love life, morale, discipline, religion, morals, health and medical care, internal politics, interpersonal relationships, camp life, bravery, guard duty, and prisoner of war experiences.