
Not an easy book to read and lengthy, but it will be greatly enjoyed by history buffs and civil war enthusiasts. The book is written using letters and other archival material and does not have the annoying made-up historical conversations.
I was very interested in this small slice of American history. It certainly shows that the south was the aggressor and starter of the war, unlike the wishful thinking that still exists.
I was very interested in this small slice of American history. It certainly shows that the south was the aggressor and starter of the war, unlike the wishful thinking that still exists.

Erik Larson offers a gripping account of the chaotic months between Lincoln's election and the Confederacy's shelling of Sumterâa 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 âso great that, could I have anticipated them, I would not have believed it possible to survive them.â
I enjoyed reading the account of Lincoln's election and the first five months of the Civil War. I have read every book by Erik Larson and have enjoyed them all. It was a fascinating book and showed how much Lincoln tried to stop the war from happening but was not successful at all. Last May, I visited Charleston and took a tour of the city so I knew about all the places of interest and enjoyed reading about them too. I am now looking forward to the next Erik Larson book as I do love his writing. If you love history then you would love to read this book. Highly recommended!
I enjoyed reading the account of Lincoln's election and the first five months of the Civil War. I have read every book by Erik Larson and have enjoyed them all. It was a fascinating book and showed how much Lincoln tried to stop the war from happening but was not successful at all. Last May, I visited Charleston and took a tour of the city so I knew about all the places of interest and enjoyed reading about them too. I am now looking forward to the next Erik Larson book as I do love his writing. If you love history then you would love to read this book. Highly recommended!