The Real History of the Civil War: A New Look at the Past

The Civil War is shrouded in legend and mythology--but this new entry in <i>The Real History</i> series provides a clear, fresh view of the events for curious readers who want an intellectual, but not dryly academic, presentation of this inexhaustibly fascinating subject. Covering everything from the roots of the conflict to Reconstruction, Axelrod addresses a range of less-discussed subjects such as the efforts made to avert war (including Lincoln's initial hesitant response) , the fragmentation of popular opinion in both the North and the South' and the institutional problems that afflicted the Union and Confederate Armies. Axelrod also explores the so-called &quot;turning points&quot; of the war and whether slavery really was the major cause of the conflict. Diary excerpts, letters, informative sidebars, and contemporary photography, art, and maps round out this absorbing, thought-provoking study.