I received an electronic ARC of this book via NetGalley.

This is a really fascinating book about the interplay between the Transcendentalist and abolitionist movements in New England in the decades before the Civil War.

It's not a quick read, but it is accessible to a non-specialist, engaging, and like I said--it's genuinely interesting stuff. While much of the focus is on the philosophical contributions of transcendentalism to New England abolitionists, it also addresses some of the more general interactions between a variety of intellectual movements in the mid-19th century both in the US and in Europe.

While I suspect some background knowledge of 19th century intellectual history is probably beneficial in getting the most out of this book, the author does a good job of introducing most of the concepts and individuals he discusses. It's thought-provoking and informative, and ultimately, the philosophical and ideological underpinnings of these 19th century movements remain relevant today.