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David Perlmutter's avatar

Somehow, much of contemporary American politics can trace its origins back to the "two" Civil Wars and what they were "both" fought over.

Joel J Miller's avatar

I think that’s true.

Ricky Lee Grove's avatar

Fascinating review. I've got to read this book.

Joel J Miller's avatar

It’s quite excellent. Really helped clarify some stuff for me.

Ricky Lee Grove's avatar

I know what you mean. After all of the Civil War nonsense that was placed in my brain as a student, I am relearning and discovering its history now as an adult. I read at least a book a year on the Civil War.

Nicholas Kotar's avatar

Thank you for reminding us just how fascinating, important, and not simplistic this war was. A needed counterpoint to the nearly universal stupidification of our own history that seems the order of the day. I'm definitely reading this book.

Joel J Miller's avatar

It’s all pretty messy once you crack open the hood.

Nicholas Kotar's avatar

but endlessly fascinating

T J Elliott's avatar

Glad to see the New York Times. history of hot takes existing in 1862 and still bloviating down to the present day: "the New York Times warned on May 22, 1862, that arming blacks would lead to the “exterminat[ion of] the white population in those States.”

Joel J Miller's avatar

I like the Times, but they’ve been wrong a billion times.

T J Elliott's avatar

Agreed. I've been reading it over 60 years and still subscribed to that paper version for the last 30. Wouldn't want to be without it, but they do get stuff mixed up, don't they?