The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

Explore the tumultuous five months between Abraham Lincoln's election and the outbreak of the Civil War in Erik Larson's The Demon of Unrest. This gripping narrative, hailed as a #1 New York Times Bestseller, delves into a nation on the brink, where secessionist fervor and political missteps pushed the United States toward conflict.

Larson masterfully reexamines this pivotal period, focusing on the escalating tensions surrounding Fort Sumter. The book brings to life key figures like the conflicted Major Robert Anderson, the radical secessionist Edmund Ruffin, and the observant Mary Boykin Chesnut. Amidst these personalities, an overwhelmed Lincoln grapples with the immense pressures of preserving the Union.

Drawing on extensive research, including diaries and private correspondence, The Demon of Unrest offers a compelling account of the hubris, heartbreak, and heroism that defined the dawn of the Civil War. It is a profound look at how a nation can be blindsided by impending cataclysm, making it an essential read for those interested in Biographies & Memoirs, Current Affairs, and Historical Fiction.