This is not Larson's best work. I would say this is just okay. Larson chooses to focus on particular individuals which I don't really understand. For example, James Hammond, a secessionist slave owner who made a speech in Congress defending slavery, is one of the subjects Larson dedicates space to. But there were many secessionists in Congress leading up to the Civil War. There were many pro-slavery people in Congress who gave many speeches in defense of slavery. So when we have a chapter dedicated to James Hammond's disgusting and coercive sexual relationships with all of his nieces and several of his slaves, I can't help but think that the reason Larson chose such a subject is for the shock value of it all. It certainly doesn't contribute to what Larson contends is the central thesis of this book: comparing January 6th and talk of Civil War now to how Civil War broke out in the past. But the book is mostly dedicated to Fort Sumter and pages and pages worth of minutiae about how to fire cannons and how heavy cannons are and the supplies for the troops trying to hold Fort Sumter after South Carolina seceded, etc etc. You do come to realize how there seemed to be an inevitability about it all by the time Union troops were stationed at Sumter and refused to leave, which doesn't provide insight into how relations really reached that point. I think more space needed to be dedicated to the time before South Carolina seceded. There were moments of brilliance when Larson started to dig into how the northerners viewed the southerners and vice versa, but there just wasn't enough there for me. These threads were thing, frayed, and nebulous at best.

I love anything and everything from Erik Larson so I knew I had to read this book when I saw it was coming out. The Demon of Unrest details the time leading up to the Civil War after Lincoln's election. As Erik Larson does so well, he weaves the known history from the time with the unkown people and events you don't usually learn about. This is what I love to learn about makes the history so interesting- the stories and background that never get told.

I learned a lot from this book as the Civil War is a topic I don't usually read about. I have read so many books and novels on WWII it was nice to learn about a different period of history.

As always, Erik Larson books are meticulously researched and packed full of information. “The demon of Unrest” covers the events leading up to the battle of Fort Sumter, both on the Union side and the Confederacy, particularly in South Carolina. Really, most of the book predates Union/Confederacy.

I did think this book was rather slow, and not as engaging as some of Larson’s other books. However, I learned a lot & enjoyed some of the anecdotes & historic gossip.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Erik Larson, and publisher Crown Publishing for providing me with a complimentary digital copy of this book.

"The Demon of Unrest" is a fine piece of non-fiction writing, covering the few months between Lincoln's election and the attack on Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor. Erik Larson fills out the "the south fired on Ft. Sumter and the war began" trope to explain exactly what happened and how it could have gone either way. Everyone is working in the dark (sometimes literally) due to the difficulty of mid-19th century communication and most of the participants knew each other, having been part of a US branch of service.

This is interesting, but what in this book is really gripping are the words of people he chose to reflect different view points surrounding the beginning of the Civil War. Edwin Ruffin, a Virginia planter and a leader of the Fire-eaters, a pro-slavery group, traveled tirelessly throughout the south whipping up passion for secession. Already in his late 60s with long silver hair, Ruffin would ride a cannon into battle at Ft. Sumter. Larson delves into the culture of South Carolina where the elite called themselves "The Chivalry" and based behavior on the novels of Sir Walter Scott. He wisely uses the words of witty and observant Southerner Mary Chesnut, who recorded life throughout the Civil War in a series of diaries. And finally, Times of London correspondent William Russell, who is one of the few reporters to actually travel south where he was struck by the warlike character of the south's jubilation over secession. "The intense hatred of the Yankee on the part of these people cannot be conceived by anyone who has not seen them, he wrote.

Larson fills us in on what happened to these voices--Mary Chesnut's family penniless and their home destroyed: Russell was forced back to England when he was unwilling to lie about Union success in battle.

The Ft. Sumter battle preparations went to long for me, so I'm giving "The Demon of Unrest" 4.5 stars rounded up. Those who currently talk of civil war would do well to read this book Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital review copy of rik Larson's latest. All opinions are my own.

The crux of the book is the 5 month interval from the election of Lincoln to the firing on fort Sumter. With his usual brilliance Larson makes that period come alive with detailed and meticulously researched depictions of the dispute between north and south (captured with a wonderful description of Charleston “ chivalry” and all that it entailed) and vivid portrayals of Buchanan, Lincoln , Seward and several major characters of the rebellion. His brilliance is in bringing history “alive”, making it as engaging as any work of fiction. A MUST READ-for historians and for all of us living with the great present division in our country.

The five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War were the, at the time, most unruly time in America.

As expected Erik Larson has a masterpiece of a book with The Demon of Unrest, bringing a new light to the war between the states. This is a true political horror story and this book should be taught in schools.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Erik Larson, a master of historical nonfiction, delivers yet another compelling work in "The Demon of Unrest". As someone who counts Larson among my top 5 authors, I was thrilled to secure an advanced reader copy,

At first glance, the topic—centred around the tumultuous period from Lincoln's election to the firing on Fort Sumter—might seem familiar. After all, the American Civil War has been dissected and analyzed extensively. As a history major with a focus on US history, I was initially disappointed when the book showed up on Goodreads a few months in advance as I doubted I needed yet another schooling on the subject. However, Larson's deft touch transformed my initial doubts into genuine engagement.

Larson's commitment to historical research shines through every page. Organized into an almost daily chronology, his incorporation of first-hand accounts and primary quotes breathes life into the events and characters. His narrative style keeps the tension high and made me speed through this book quickly. Whether it's the political maneuvering in Washington or the soldiers' grim preparations for battle, Larson's vivid descriptions transport us to the heart of the action. Larson deftly weaves together multiple perspectives from diaries, letters, and newspapers, creating a tapestry of human experiences against the backdrop of impending war. The pacing is relentless, mirroring the urgency of the times and the looming conflict to come.

As a devoted reader of Larson's works, "The Demon of Unrest" didn't disappoint. It reminded me why I admire Larson and why the wait time between books is worth it — his ability to unearth forgotten stories, illuminate pivotal moments, and leave us pondering the echoes of history.

I highly recommend it to fellow Larson fans, history enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a gripping account of a nation teetering on the brink of civil war.

This was an ARC review for NetGalley.

Yet again, Erik Larson delivers a thorough and captivating history book that has all the magic and prose of great fiction. He manages to use the mundane day-to-day lives and interactions of those in Civil War South Carolina to show the true depth and emotion of the people that were part of the broader picture during this time.

As a long-time fan of Larson's, I'm not at all surprised that he had me enthralled in a segment of history that I thought I'd have no interest in. Bravo. Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this ARC.

Takes time to examine the months leading up to the Civil War, the politicians involved, and the weight of the decisions that were taken. Many history books on the Civil War start with the aftermath of Fort Sumter, so this one stands apart as focusing on the build-up to it.

Erik Larson is one of those special writers who can dive deep into history and write a historical saga that’s more engrossing than any fiction. “The Demon of Unrest” is no exception, with Larson delivering the story of the five months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the start of the Civil War. At a time when our nation is currently so divided, it was fascinating to learn about another incredibly tense time in American history.

Remember being assigned required Summer Reading in high school? I wish I could assign this book as required reading to the whole country…we have a lot we can learn from our history, and thank goodness for author’s like Larson for putting that history in our hands.

Erik Larson’s writing and research sing the song of a nation on the brink of the war of secession. Lushly descriptive, brilliantly bringing staid history to life, finding the living, breathing aspects to life that both drove and resisted the rebellion so vibrantly that we can feel the flames of war. This is living history as it should be told and enjoyed. It should be required reading. Although I received an ARC, I note that I feel so strongly about Larson’s history lesson that I have purchased multiple copies of this book, for myself and others. I highly recommend it.

This book gets four stars for its remarkable storytelling of American history leading up to the Civil War. It presents a comprehensive narrative in a highly accessible manner, a rare quality in non-fiction works. Delving into the roots of the conflict, the author skillfully navigates through the events and individuals that shaped the nation's destiny. From Edmund Ruffin's fervor for war to Lincoln's desperate attempts to avert it, the book offers a gripping account of pivotal figures and their roles. Particularly intriguing is President Buchanan's passive stance, inadvertently paving the way for war. Written with the pace of a thriller, the book's concise chapters and multifaceted narrative keep readers engaged throughout. Highly recommended for anyone interested in American history, especially the Civil War era. The author's extensive research, supplemented by intriguing anecdotes such as the connection to a Gone with the Wind actress, adds depth to the reading experience.

This book is well researched and written. I have read several previous books by the author and this one does not disappoint. It deals with the five months of events leading up to the Civil War with the election of Lincoln and the assault of Fort Sumter. Larason does a very good job of covering both sides of the of the building conflict and the emotions that it revealed. A must read for those interested in the Civil War.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Net Galley, Goodreads, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook page

Erik Larson is the master of telling important stories of our history that most people have never heard of. I will always recommend a Larson book.

Erik Larson, known for Devil in the White City and The Splendid and the Vile, among many others, this time takes on Fort Sumter and trying to understand (and explain) the root causes behind the American Civil War.

Americans may think they know the basics: Lincoln got elected, South Carolina seceded, Fort Sumter was fired on, there was a war. But Larson takes us into the deeply human and often tragic months between Lincoln getting elected and the firing on Fort Sumter. Were there moments when things could have been different? When different choices could have caused massively different outcomes?

The surprising truth is that, as Larson shows us, Northerners and Southerners as a whole did not understand each other. And had not for decades-if ever. The Southern aristocrats who made up the politicians most Northerners met with were hot-tempered, extremely proud, and always on alert to having their honor offended at the slightest provocation. And they had largely managed to convince themselves that there was nothing wrong with slavery. So the louder abolitionists in the North became, the more offended the South became. Abolitionists said the institution of slavery was evil, Southerners heard that they themselves were evil.

Add to this hot-heads who had been arguing that Southern states should have separated from the Union for decades, and the situation had been rife for rebellion longer than many were willing to admit. One person who doesn't come out of Demon looking good is outgoing President Buchanan. Buchanan acts oblivious to everything until he can't avoid it any longer (I particularly loved a quote by Georgia representative Toombs who tells Buchanan he's been in the midst of a revolution for over a year, he just hasn't noticed it.). His only goal is to get to Inauguration Day without violence so he can dump the problems on Lincoln and any states that leave happen under Lincoln's watch instead of his. But when South Carolina seceded letters show partying Southerners go to the White House, assuming Buchanan will be happy as well. There's no record of whether Buchanan partied too, but the fact that Southerners in Washington assumed he was on their side did not help issues moving forward. The level that rumors and misunderstandings played in politics of the day was surprising to me.

Reading about the experiences of the people in Fort Sumter itself were some of the most interesting parts for me. Major Anderson, conflicted between his natural feelings for his home in the South and his sworn oath to the US Army (a conflict many military men would have to deal with)- on top of having to make a lot of decisions himself that he shouldn't have had to make, was especially someone I felt for. He knew pretty early on his decisions had the real potential to spark a war if he wasn't careful, and he had almost no feedback from his superiors to help guide him. He was in a no-win situation and I expect plenty of people would have surrended the fort a lot sooner than he did. His sections of the book helped explain a question I never knew I had: what made Fort Sumter so important and such a flash point that we connect it with the start of the war?

I had a little trouble getting into Demon at first- possibly because when I started it I could only read small sections at a time and I think the beginning of the book would benefit from reading in a large chunk in one sitting to really get into it. There are a lot of people to get to know and some time traveling to get really settled into understanding the 1860 "present" (Larson backs up and gives up some pre-1860 Southern history so we understand where the Southern mindset is and that the idea of seceding isn't something new to them). But once I got settled in the book I really enjoyed it, because there was so much behind-the-scenes history Larson was showing me that I hadn't known about before. As always, Larson uses letters, diaries, and other first-hand accounts to make the events spring to life for the reader- which I love.

While not his best book in my opinion, The Demon of Unrest is an excellent, well-researched book that Larson's fans should enjoy. Full of the drama, pathos, and absolute humanity that draws you into an excellent history book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is a fantastic book, the history was told in a readable and understandable format, something not found in a lot of non fiction books. The book is about the roots of the American Civil War, what started it, the many steps that were taken, and not taken that eventually led to war. The story follows several individuals that were instrumental in either trying to start a war (Edmund Ruffin) and those desperate to prevent one (Lincoln). What is very interesting is President Buchanan's desire to do nothing in the hopes that his term will end peacefully, without any conflict, that non activity permitted the seeds of the war to be sown. The book does read more like a thriller, the chapters are short and there is a lot of things going on at once. I would highly recommend this to anyone, put especially to those that have an interest in American history with a Civil War focus. The author has also included an extensive list of resources used to write the book and notes that are interesting (one in particular about an actress that appeared in Gone with the Wind who is related to one of the people mentioned in this book). Thanks to #Netgalley and #Crown for the ARC.

“The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War,” Erik Larson, Crown, 592 pages, April 30, 2024.

Election Day November 6, 1860, Abraham Lincoln, the frontrunner, wins the presidency. The country is bitterly at odds; Southern extremists are moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding. Lincoln didn’t understand the South and he was powerless to stop them.

Major Robert Anderson, Sumter’s commander, is a former slave owner sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union. James Hammond, a lawyer, marries a young heiress, Catherine Fitzsimmons. After they marry, he closes his law firm and becomes a planter. He supports slavery and is elected to Congress. He argues that the North would not dare to make war because it would lose its access to cotton.

Meanwhile, Edmund Ruffin, works incessantly to promote succession in Virginia. James Hammond contacts Ruffin about a survey of agricultural land. When Lincoln is elected, all of Charleston is caught up in succession drive. Lincoln mistakingly believes most Southerners favor the Union. Mary Chestnut, wife of U.S. Senator James Chestnut, lives in South Carolina. After Lincoln is elected, Chestnut resigns from the Senate and Mary starts an extensive diary.

Erik Larson offers an account of the chaotic months between Lincoln’s election and the Confederacy’s shelling of Sumter—a period marked by tragic errors and betrayals. He draws on diaries, communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records. It is lengthy, but people who enjoy narrative non-fiction and Civil War buffs will want to read this one.

In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Another good historical narrative nonfiction book by Erik Larson. The book covers aspects of the lead up to the Civil War that I had never learned before. It is written so the events are interesting as well as informative. Larson is a must-read for history fans!

Erik Larson has done it again: He’s written a terrific book!

This time, his subject is the Civil War; specifically, the five months leading up to it, beginning with Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election victory and ending with South Carolina’s attack on Fort Sumter. A product of first-rate research, it’s a very well-told story that presents the historical figures (both famous and not-so-famous), the political issues, the events, and the attitudes and tenor of that time.

Some of the events covered include:

Lincoln’s election (and Southern reaction to it);

The Buchanan administration’s ineffective and/or harmful responses to the mounting crisis;

Efforts to man and supply the federal forts in and around Charleston, including Fort Sumter;

Various state secession conventions and the formation of the Confederacy;

The counting of electoral votes in Congress (having some similarities to the events of 01/06/2021);

Lincoln’s journey from Springfield and his stealthy arrival in DC amidst fears he would be assassinated;

Lincoln’s inauguration and first months in office; and

Preparations for, and the actual battle at, Fort Sumter.

Larson's settings range from Springfield, Ill, to New York City, to Philadelphia, to DC, to Charleston. He explores the parts played by well-known historical figures such as Lincoln, Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, John Brown, General Winfield Scott, William Seward, and Edward Stanton; and by lesser-known men and women such as Fort Sumter’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, and some of his officers (including Abner Doubleday, baseball’s “inventor” and future Union general), secessionists James Henry Hammond and Edmund Ruffin, and Southern loyalist and diarist Mary Boykin Chestnut. His depictions of Lincoln are not unique, but they do paint a very human portrait of the President.

Larson amply covers the politics of the times. In particular, he explains how the South’s insistence on maintaining slavery (rooted in its racism and fear of economic harm) and the North’s demands that it be abolished (arising from the belief that slavery was fundamentally evil) formed the unbridgeable chasm that caused the war. I found his depictions of slavery and the pall that “peculiar institution” must have cast over day-to-day living in the South truly memorable.

A master storyteller, Larsen enlivens his tale with a good deal of suspense as well as occasional humor. Some sections had me on the edge of my seat, even though I knew the outcome. Others had me chuckling.

In short, “The Demon of Unrest” is an excellent book, well-suited for any reader interested in the Civil War.

My thanks to NetGalley, author Erik Larson, and publisher Crown Publishing for providing me with a complimentary ARC. All of the foregoing is my independent opinion.

The Demon of Unrest does not disappoint. Those already familiar with Erik Larson will find all the stuff they love about his work here, and new readers are sure to be enchanted as well.

While the book follows several key players, I found the chapters focused on Major Anderson most compelling, especially because he was not someone that my primary education focused too much on. Larson has a real talent for immersing readers in the atmosphere of the times he is writing about, and while there is A LOT of granular detail here, I feel like most of it added to the narrative rather than detracted from it. But if you’re someone who wants more of a minimalist account when reading history, it is something to note. But this was definitely an interesting and timely read given the parallels with the current political atmosphere.

Overall, I enjoyed it and I learned a lot. I would certainly recommend it to readers of narrative nonfiction and American history.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the eArc in exchange for an honest review!*