Call number
973 LAR
Collections
Publication
Crown (2024), Edition: First Edition, 592 pages
Description
"On November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln became the fluky victor in a tight race for president. The country was bitterly at odds; Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding and Lincoln powerless to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, but somehow the passions of North and South came to focus on a lonely federal fortress in Charleston Harbor: Fort Sumter. Master storyteller Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln's election and the Confederacy's shelling of Sumter-a period marked by tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals. Lincoln himself wrote that the trials of these five months were "so great that, could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them." At the heart of this suspense-filled narrative are Major Robert Anderson, Sumter's commander and a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union; Edmund Ruffin, a vain and bloodthirsty radical who stirs secessionist ardor at every opportunity; and Mary Boykin Chesnut, wife of a prominent planter, conflicted over both marriage and slavery and seeing parallels between them. In the middle of it all is the overwhelmed Lincoln, battling with his duplicitous secretary of state, William Seward, as he tries desperately to avert a war that he fears is inevitable-one that will eventually kill 750,000 Americans. Drawing on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, Larson gives us a political horror story that captures the forces that led America to the brink-a dark reminder that we often don't see a cataclysm coming until it's too late"--… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Hccpsk
As expected from Erik Larson, The Demon of Unrest explores the beginning of The Civil War with copious amounts of detail and primary source material, but still maintains a compelling narrative. Focused on the months between Lincoln’s election and the start of the war, Larson uses letters,
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journals, and other personal accounts as he moves between Charleston (mainly Fort Sumter), Washington DC, and Montgomery, AL. Particularly interesting is that although the focus of the book remains on military and political figures, he also includes a number of citizens including a Southern society woman and a London Times reporter. All of these different views and accounts lend a well-rounded perspective and many fascinating moments to a crucial point in US history. Readers who enjoy Larson and others looking for fresh perspectives on the start of the US Civil War will not be disappointed with The Demon of Unrest. Show Less
LibraryThing member jetangen4571
NONFICTION, historic-buildings, historical-figures, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, due-diligence, greed, cruelty, slavery, human-trafficking, human-rights, entitled-attitude, politics, politicians, manipulation, lies, literacy, American Civil
Talk about impressive diligence in research and turning it into far more than an educational tome! This intense study brings us from basic politics to the brink of the US Civil War, complete with the black mold on each side and the blind ignorance as well. Larson always makes us think and extrapolate from history to today. Of course I have bought the audio!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from Crown Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you.
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War*****Talk about impressive diligence in research and turning it into far more than an educational tome! This intense study brings us from basic politics to the brink of the US Civil War, complete with the black mold on each side and the blind ignorance as well. Larson always makes us think and extrapolate from history to today. Of course I have bought the audio!
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected ebook file from Crown Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you.
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LibraryThing member acargile
I very much enjoyed learning about Fort Sumter. Raised as a southerner and loving southern literature, this story of the fort and the characters surrounding it fascinated me.
Erik Larson talks in the beginning about the January 6th insurrection and wondered about parallels. What causes people to
The southern myth of a beautiful society existing before the Civil War continues to create misunderstandings--at the least--and terrible, killing violence--at the worst. This novel gives a bit of an introduction to the idea and delves well into the messages and beliefs that caused Fort Sumter to be fired upon. It was historically educational yet sad to see the choices made that eventually led to a war amongst United States citizens that, in some ways, continues to be fought. It's well worth your time!
Erik Larson talks in the beginning about the January 6th insurrection and wondered about parallels. What causes people to
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latch onto an idea that becomes a person and a people's identity? What causes people to align with an idea so strongly that literally killing a person is justified? Larson introduces us to Abraham Lincoln, presenting a man with a sense of humor and a steel resolve to meet history where it stands. We meet southerners who believe in the myth of the south with their entire being, even willing to lose a son to the cause. I studied southern literature in college, and Larson touches upon several ideas that represent southern beliefs. I will say that it's impossible to completely understand the south from the outside. Even comments made by Larson and others during the novel show an inability to fully grasp the southern conflicts and paradoxes. Larson uses primary sources to tell the stories, from men to women, from southern to northern. It's through these sources that you see the southern ideas pull states together, leave the union, and choose to kill for those ideas. You also see the northerners as not completely understanding and believing unity is more important that southern ideas.The southern myth of a beautiful society existing before the Civil War continues to create misunderstandings--at the least--and terrible, killing violence--at the worst. This novel gives a bit of an introduction to the idea and delves well into the messages and beliefs that caused Fort Sumter to be fired upon. It was historically educational yet sad to see the choices made that eventually led to a war amongst United States citizens that, in some ways, continues to be fought. It's well worth your time!
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LibraryThing member waldhaus1
Brings a fresh perspective to life. Its focus it’s the lead up to South Carolina’s succession and then the attack on Fort Sumter. Anderson the fort’s commander is well presented. Comparing the social anger of those years to our contemporary experience’s is thought provoking.
LibraryThing member susan11
very rare for me to read a non fiction book and give it 5 stars
a wonderful book
a wonderful book
LibraryThing member lostinalibrary
In The Demon of Unrest, Erik Larson gives the history of the months leading up to the 1861attack on Fort Sumter seen as the opening salvo in the United States Civil War. I will admit to knowing only the bare bones of the attack or the war in general so I was excited whe I received an early copy
On the plus side, Larson’s writing is clear, factual, well- researched and -documented including contemporaneous documents and letters, while avoiding the dry writing of most academic history, thus making it more interesting and easily accessible to everyone. And I must say, it is very interesting.
However, my problem with it is, as other reviewers have said, he gives us a great deal from the perspective of White slave holders but very little from Black people, whether enslaved or free. He documents some of the injustices and horrors inflicted on enslaved people but also some of the small kindnesses given them as well as showing them aiding in preparations for the attack. But the only actual Black voice we hear is that of Frederick Douglass, responding negatively to a speech by Lincoln which seemed meant to placate the South and this was followed by a more positive response from a Lexington lawyer who saw it as a judicial attempt at reconciliation. Interestingly, if it was, the South perceived it as hostility towards them.
I suspect Larson was trying to give a balanced and unbiased view of what can still be seen as an emotionally charged issue. The January 6th insurrection occurred while he was researching this book and he wondered about parallels. In fairness to Larson, this isn’t meant be one of those dry history tomes which, by the way, can also show biases, but I kind of felt, in his effort to be objective, he seems to give too much weight to the Southern perspective.
But that’s just me and my perspective may be skewed by being a non-American. Overall, despite these criticisms, I did quite enjoy reading this book. As I said, Larson makes history interesting, even fascinating and I found this book impossible to put down.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review
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from Netgalley and the publishers. I finished it a while ago but found writing this review difficult because I have mixed feeling about it.On the plus side, Larson’s writing is clear, factual, well- researched and -documented including contemporaneous documents and letters, while avoiding the dry writing of most academic history, thus making it more interesting and easily accessible to everyone. And I must say, it is very interesting.
However, my problem with it is, as other reviewers have said, he gives us a great deal from the perspective of White slave holders but very little from Black people, whether enslaved or free. He documents some of the injustices and horrors inflicted on enslaved people but also some of the small kindnesses given them as well as showing them aiding in preparations for the attack. But the only actual Black voice we hear is that of Frederick Douglass, responding negatively to a speech by Lincoln which seemed meant to placate the South and this was followed by a more positive response from a Lexington lawyer who saw it as a judicial attempt at reconciliation. Interestingly, if it was, the South perceived it as hostility towards them.
I suspect Larson was trying to give a balanced and unbiased view of what can still be seen as an emotionally charged issue. The January 6th insurrection occurred while he was researching this book and he wondered about parallels. In fairness to Larson, this isn’t meant be one of those dry history tomes which, by the way, can also show biases, but I kind of felt, in his effort to be objective, he seems to give too much weight to the Southern perspective.
But that’s just me and my perspective may be skewed by being a non-American. Overall, despite these criticisms, I did quite enjoy reading this book. As I said, Larson makes history interesting, even fascinating and I found this book impossible to put down.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Crown Publishing in exchange for an honest review
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LibraryThing member maryreinert
I learned far more about the Civil War than I ever did in school. Couldn't put the book down. Larson tells the story of the events leading up to the attack on Ft. Sumter which opened the American Civil War.
Focusing on several participants, the book gives the perspective from differing sides. Major
Another interesting facet of the book was the Southern idea of chivalry and their "Bible-based" ideas of slavery.
The entire book really is just a lead in to the actual attack on Sumter and all of the maneuverings and postering that went before. It was definitely not a surprise attack.
Great read!
Focusing on several participants, the book gives the perspective from differing sides. Major
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Anderson was in charge of the fort for the Union although he was somewhat of a Southern sympathizer. Mary Chestnut, the wife of a prominent planter was definitely the "southern lady" but with some conflicted views of slavery. Edmund Ruffin (who I had never heard of) was a radical Southerner working toward secession. The journey of Abraham Lincoln from Illinois to Washington DC for the inauguration was also so interesting.Another interesting facet of the book was the Southern idea of chivalry and their "Bible-based" ideas of slavery.
The entire book really is just a lead in to the actual attack on Sumter and all of the maneuverings and postering that went before. It was definitely not a surprise attack.
Great read!
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LibraryThing member asukamaxwell
You will learn more about the immediate events leading up to the Civil War then you ever did in history class. But instead of a broad, general view of politics and economics, Larson focuses on the men behind the scenes. Featuring the passively frustrating President James Buchanan, his treasonous
What I love most about this book is that Erik Larson gets right to the point: "The crux of the crisis was in fact slavery. This was obvious to all at the time, if not to [20th century revisionists] who sought to cast the conflict in the bloodless terms of states' rights." The Civil War occurred because a small, incredibly rich, white portion of the population wanted to preserve their "chivalrous" way of life, on the backs of millions of individuals. What's more, Larson quotes Southern planters and politicians directly, so there's no denying it. He cuts the rose-tinted, magnolia blooming, sweet tea drinking atmosphere with a knife and I'm here for it. I especially enjoyed reading of Anderson's rogue night mission to move all the men from Moultrie to Sumter. The tension in that bold move is palatable, and I thought it was particularly well written. Another fantastic work from Mr. Larson!
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Secretary of War John Floyd (outsmarted by Unionist yinzers!), recently elected Abraham Lincoln, incestuous planter James Hammond, adamant secessionist Edmund Riffin, no-nonsense abolitionist Capt. Doubleday, and sympathizing but duty-first Major Anderson, the commander at Ft. Sumter. But despite the efforts of Northern compromisers and Unionists, war was inevitable. Problem was, the "petulant" gentlemen of the South all knew it was an awful, outdated institution. But the money was too good. Risking war and the deaths of hundreds of thousands was worth it to preserve their lifestyle. Out of the 169 South Carolina white slavers who decided on succession and the fate of an entire nation, 40% all went to the same college and the decision took eight minutes.What I love most about this book is that Erik Larson gets right to the point: "The crux of the crisis was in fact slavery. This was obvious to all at the time, if not to [20th century revisionists] who sought to cast the conflict in the bloodless terms of states' rights." The Civil War occurred because a small, incredibly rich, white portion of the population wanted to preserve their "chivalrous" way of life, on the backs of millions of individuals. What's more, Larson quotes Southern planters and politicians directly, so there's no denying it. He cuts the rose-tinted, magnolia blooming, sweet tea drinking atmosphere with a knife and I'm here for it. I especially enjoyed reading of Anderson's rogue night mission to move all the men from Moultrie to Sumter. The tension in that bold move is palatable, and I thought it was particularly well written. Another fantastic work from Mr. Larson!
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Pages
592
ISBN
0385348746 / 9780385348744