The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson – Detailed account of the beginning of the Civil War from personal narratives and historical records

 

Erik Larson is one of my favorite non-fiction writers and I was excited at the opportunity to read his newest book, The Demon of Unrest - A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War.  

The Demon of Unrest is different than other books by Erik Larson.  The book starts at the time of Abraham Lincoln’s election and inauguration, and the start of the secession of the southern states, led by South Carolina.  We see the Buchanan Administrations indifference, weakness and failures that left the US military serving in southern states vulnerable to attack.  Lincoln was walking into a tinderbox and a Nation divided.  Southern proslavery extremists were fomenting secession and if necessary, war so they could maintain their standard of living and wealth built on the backs of enslaved human beings.

Erik Larson did a tremendous amount of research and tells the story of what happened from many different viewpoints.  He compiled the personal narratives from diaries and wove them together with many historical records to document this time in history. 

I was most compelled by Fort Sumter’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, and President Abraham Lincoln.  There were so many details that it kind of overwhelmed the personal side of the story and what the people went through and endured. 

The Demon of Unrest is a long book and it took me over two months to read.  I was about 20 percent in to the book and I almost called it quits.  I was disgusted by the moral depravity of James Henry Hammond that was shared in too much detail.  I would like to have had that summed up without going into the gross details of this vile man.  If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped that section.  Since I respect Larson’s writing, I decided to give another try.  I am glad I finished the book.  I found it hard to comprehend and relate to the southerner’s mindset, tolerance, and approval of slavery. 

My favorite chapter was the epilog that summed up the how the war ended and impacted the various people whose stories were included in this historical book.  I would like to have had several charts or overviews on the timeline and the people from both the north and south, with their titles and a brief description.  It would have helped me as I was reading through this historical narrative. 

Erik Larson started off the book talking about January 6^th and related it to the Civil War.  Other than a reflection of a Nation divided, I did not see the comparison.  It was a bit off-putting. 

If you love history, especially US history or the Civil War, or are an Erik Larson fan, I recommend this book.  

I would like to thank Crown Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.