Erik Larson never disappoints with anything he writes. He turns events of history into beautiful day by day “fictionalized” narratives with everything being heavily researched. Just with every other book Larson rights, he brings two narratives into one and in this one, the beginning of Lincoln’s presidency and the fall of Fort Sumter and the rest of the South. There is a ton of information in here but I was never overwhelmed by it. Overall very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed this offering from Erik Larson!

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Crown Publishing for this ARC. This is my honest review.

I was ecstatic to be chosen to read this ARC. I am not an avid NF history reader, but years ago a friend gave me a copy of Devil in the White City because she knew I loved true crime. That began my love affair with Mr. Larson’s books!

I read other reviews that said there is a lot of his research material included in this book, and that it sometimes got tedious. I did not find this to be the case at all. Yes, he includes the research and identifies the sources. But I would hope if you are reading history you would want sources stated and verified. I also felt that his research really fleshed out the people involved.

This is a fascinating book that explores all events leading up to the Civil War. It is so interesting to see through diaries and court accounts and senate reports the thoughts and actions of Anderson, Lincoln, Ruffin, and a myriad of other people. We see them as real people from childhood to adulthood. I love that through the author’s detailed approach, the reader is able to see every component that led to this war. I learned a lot of new information, and found the population of South Carolina at that time fascinating, and also frightening.

There is disturbing personal information about Anderson that had me seething. The description of slave life is detailed and heartbreaking. Larson does not gloss over this- he paints a very real yet heartbreaking visualization.

I feel that we need to know the history so that we can learn from it, and pave a brighter future.

I highly recommend this book!!!

3 stars; I’m normally a huge fan of Erik Larson (Dead Wake is one of my favorite books ever) but while this one started out well, it soon got bogged down in the details. It was impeccably researched and Civil War fanatics will love it, but it lost me for a while. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read and enjoyed many of Erik Larson’s books. This one was not as captivating as the others. I struggled to get through it. If you are a Civil War buff then this is likely the book for you. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Meticulously detailed well researched book about the immediate causes of the Civil War and many of the major and minor players involved.

Really liked giving color TP the players by the details of their backgrounds and motivations. Also appreciated the details of the Zeitgeist on how the populations of the North and South saw things as influenced by the media of the times.

However the book will not be interesting to many who aren't into the subject already. It's more research and detail heavy than story heavy. A must read for Civil War enthusiasts and those who want to understand the Civil War in a more detailed way.

The Demon of Unrest
The author did much research (including diaries & journals) to report on the political climate in both the North and South in the 5 months between Lincoln’s election and the beginning of the Civil W. He gives examples of the lives of slaves on Southern plantations as well as those up North. The Southern planter class was in favor of secession from the Union but other people in those states were not as wiling to do so. Powerful legislators were able to sway the people and some of them even resigned their positions in Congress to protest Lincoln’s election. There is also information about the military fortifications outside Charleston, SC.
He claims that Lincoln was really a moderate who did not want to see the Southern states secede.
Unlike the author’s other books, this book would appeal mostly to history and military buffs. I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Crown Publishing for an advanced copy of this book that looks at the events leading up to the firing of the guns on Fort Sumter, an action that began the American Civil War.

I have loved history books for almost as long as I have been reading. This might have started with some of the books assigned in school, but I was also blessed with a great public library that had a big section of colorful covered history books that drew the eye and my interest. Military history was something I enjoyed reading, but I never really and still have little interest in the American Civil War. Understanding the war and its meaning would probably help explain to me why people continue to believe the way they do, the Lost Cause, state's rights, not about slavery people. I have read Eric Foner, James McPherson and even watched the PBS Civil War, but again, never really got deep into them. Maybe it was the rawness that a people, neighbors could kill each other so easily over a battle for rich people to own others. All war is stupid, but this war, based on racism, just seems the oddest reason to kill over. This book in many ways proves my point, but has given me even more insight into the mind of people, their belief in their cause, mixed with religion, and fear that it could all be taken away. The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Eric Larson, is a look at America from the election of Lincoln to the firing on Fort Sumter, the events leading up, and what followed.

The book begins in a governor's office in Illinois where a young political upstart, called by some a Giant Killer, Uncle Abe, or even Honest Abe is waiting to find out the results of an election that could change everything. The presidency. Abraham Lincoln was one of four men running, with results for the first time coming from all over the United States by telegraph. The momentum seemed to be headed Lincoln's way, culminating in a show of support from the New York, which but Lincoln over the top. However there were still doubts, as one of the men running, was also in charge of the certification of the election. Also in the South there was a lot of upset people. And none were as upset as the people in the state of South Carolina. Men quit their federal jobs, including one judge who announced the Constitution was as good as dead. Lincoln while of the South could not understand. Lincoln had one a fair election, not seeing the rage, the anger or the fear his election was causing. All of which would come to a point a firing point on the Federal fort of Fort Sumter, a prelude to a great Civil War.

I have long been a fan of Eric Larson's from his early smaller books to his success with In the Garden of Beasts, that made him as both writer and historian. Larson can look at the big issue, but never loses sight of the human factor that makes this big issue so big. People on both sides from plantation owners, pumped up military leaders, Federal leaders and even slaves are given a chances to share their tale, their place in this narrative and make this events seem not only real, but how they were perceived. Larson has done great research, explaining the major players, but in new ways, with stories that make them human, even when engaged in questionable behavior. Larson acknowledges the biggest issue the South had, honor, and not wanting to be told what to do, how to do it, or God forbid, prove to be wrong.

Another fascinating look at history, from an author who never forgets that humans make up these events and that their stories are just as important. Fans will enjoy it, and Larson might gain a few new readers because of the subject matter.

Civil War buffs will enjoy this book. It is rather long and slow to read bit full of information. Fascinating accounts of people behind the scenes. Readers who enjoy learning about some less know details concerning the war will want to read this.

This isn't my first Erik Larson book. LOVED Devil in White City, really liked The Splendid and the Vile and In the Garden of Beasts. but this one--oof. Too long, too detailed. In Larson's other books, he wrote as if writing the most entertaining novel about the events. But this one felt like he was just showing all the research he did and vomiting it back onto the page.
Now, that being said, anyone obsessed with the Civil War and Lincoln's story will probably love it. I will likely buy my husband a copy when it comes out because he DEVOURS anything to do with the Civil War.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

It's a safe bet that the typical read of Demon of Unrest will not be picking the book up because they have developed a sudden interest in the fall of Fort Sumter; rather they are relying on Erik Larson to make any story interesting. They won't be entirely wrong, but this isn't Larson at the top of his form. Sections involving the fort seem a little drawn out with too much detail, and the story of the southern states' secession from the Union is one that many of us have read about a few too many times already. Nevertheless, there is some good stuff here with some of the personal dynamics involving Abner Doubleday and the senior officer at Fort Sumter (Major Robert Anderson) being pretty interesting, and the double-dealings of Lincoln's Secretary of State, William Seward, are quite astonishing.

A solid read but far from essential. After reading Larson's last book about Churchill and the Blitz, and this new account of the outbreak of the civil war, I hope that Larson switches back to writing about more obscure topics.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing a pre-relase electronic copy.

Unfortunately, I could not get into this book. I really enjoyed Larson’s The Devil in the White City; it is actually one of my favorite true crime novels of all time. However, I will admit that his style is kind of dry and can be hard to engage with. I listened to the audiobook of The Devil in the White City, which might have made the difference for that book, because I found The Demon of Unrest to be difficult to get into. Sadly, I will not be finishing it.

Erik Larson does it again! The Demon of Unrest is an eye-opening book about the Civil War. Growing up and never leaving the Midwest there is a lot I didn't know about slavery and that period. This book opened my eyes, I am still reeling. His style of writing is very similar to his other books. If you want an eye-opening book into the history of our nation this is must read. I can't stop talking about it.

I have read several Erik Larson books and so already knew how well researched The Demon of Unrest would be. Reading this most recent Larson book is an education. Larson includes so many details about the weeks prior to the Civil War that even those of us who know what will happen begin to wish that horrible event would somehow never occur. Larson makes it clear that any place in this book, where quotation marks occur, that these conversations are reprinted as written in original sources. There are no footnotes, as there might be in many historical texts, and thankfully Larson does not include these. Footnotes tend to interrupt the flow of a book. Larson does include a bibliography, source material, and notes, all of which are located at the end of The Demon of Unrest.

The Demon of Unrest is rich in small details, especially about Fort Sumter and how so many small events began to pile up together and lead to a civil war that will tear the country apart, break hearts, and lead to great losses. Readers begin to understand the machinations of only a few egotistical men, who will lead a country to war. As in so many other wars, the south believed the war might only last a few weeks and they would easily win. Larson relates how honorable men can find it so easy to desire a war and still be so disillusioned about the heartbreak caused by war. Hubris was not a trait well understood by those who desired war, but this is a flaw that does too often lead to war and death, as Larson makes clear in The Demon of Unrest.

Larson has created an exceptionally strong and effective rendering of how the Civil War became the victim of uncontrollable circumstances, when people ceased to understand the risk they were taking. Larson also paints a picture of Lincoln and how difficult the position he inherited from his predecessor. The Demon of Unrest is an entirely readable history that educates and enlightens readers. I definitely recommend, The Demon of Unrest. Thank you to Penguin Random House for providing me with this ARC to read and review. The comments above are my honest notes.

Erik Larson is always an easy recommendation for me. He has the ability to take a piece of history and elevate it into a narrative that is captivating and has me on edge with anticipation. I learned so much about the beginnings of the US Civil War and have fallen hard for both President Lincoln and Mary Chesnut.

I am not particularly well versed in historical authors. I feel most authors of historical non-fiction have a specific time period, group of people, or area of interest that their book tend to focus on. I am only familiar with one other history author that writes on a range of time periods, people, and topics and that is David McCullough. Where David McCullough's writing style mimics that of a textbook, Erik Larson's mimics that of a historical fiction. There is no other non-fiction author that writes history the way Larson does. The combination of firsthand historical accounts from letters, speeches, and journals, and real historical anecdotes makes his books feel like you are sitting at a dinner table being regaled with tales as if it all recently just happened.

The Demon of Unrest uses Larson's familiar story telling and drops you straight into a nation on the brink of Civil War. The descriptive style makes you feel like you are there. If you close your eyes you can truly imagine you are in a little rowboat floating across to Fort Sumter. You can smell the saltwater and the damp, musty wool uniforms; hear water lapping on the sides of the boat; feel the tilt of the boat, the chill in the air and sense your pupils dilating trying to sift through the heavy mist. You also are dropped into a community and, like a fly on the wall, are watching as things begin to unfold, tensions begin to rise, and the palpable sense of excitement and dread that people everywhere must have felt.

This is not my favorite Erik Larson book, but this will certainly make it only my list of best history books. Before I even finished it I was already recommending it and spreading anticipation of the book's release.

This was a very detailed and dense read about the life and career of Abraham Lincoln and his rise to power. It you are a civil war enthusiast, this will give you a lot of detailed information about Lincoln and the lead up to the civil war. This is not a light read but highly educational.

A very informative and interesting book, thinking of the parallels between what happened then and in recent years. This was my first book by this author. I think I may try is books via audiobooks as opposed to the print next time.

I had a hard time getting into this title, but it's picking up now! It's interesting to read quotes and opinions from the time period.

Erik Larson is described as a Master storyteller. I am not sure if that is high enough praise for Mr.s Larson's skills, surely there is something higher than Master Storyteller. If so, Erik Larson is at that level. Larson turns his sights on the events between Lincoln's election and the strat of the Civil War. I am sure most people think they know the basics of this time period. However, I think most will be astounded by how much they were unaware of. Readers will undoubtedly see hints of current events in the narrative of a time more than 150 years go. Despite Mr. Larson's ability to weave a small bit of history into a tale that engages most readers, I am not sure this is a book for every reader in a library. Some patrons will turn away from the book, feeling that the pace is not fast enough to keep their interest. However, for the vast majority of readers this will be a bestseller!

I am a huge fan of Erik Larson, particularly “The Splendid and the Vile,” “The Devil In the White City, ” “Dead Wake, “and “In The Garden of Beasts.” I always learn a LOT while enjoying the way his nonfiction reads like fiction. He’s one of my favorite authors, so I was particularly pleased to have a copy of “The Demon of Unrest” from Crown Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. (thank you, Crown Publishing and NetGalley)

The book focuses on the months between the election of Abraham Lincoln and the attack on Fort Sumter by the Confederacy, which really got the Civil War underway. At that time, the country divided: Southern extremists were moving ever closer to destroying the Union, with one state after another seceding while President Lincoln was seemingly unable to stop them. Slavery fueled the conflict, and unlike today’s frequent assertions, slavery WAS the issue that caused the breakup of the Union (not “states’ rights”).

It wasn’t a straight line from the attack on Fort Sumter and the war. The whole period is a bit of mess, with “tragic errors and miscommunications, enflamed egos and craven ambitions, personal tragedies and betrayals.” (from publisher’s blurb). Three key figures in the book are the commander of the Fort, Major Robert Anderson (a former slave owner who was sympathetic to the South but loyal to the Union), Edmund Ruffin, who promoted secessionist views, and Mary Boykin Chesnut, who saw parallels between slavery and marriage. And of course Lincoln, who spent an incredible amount of time dealing with his secretary of state, William Seward, trying desperately to avert what seemed like an inevitable war (that ended up killing 750,000 people).

Larson did an incredible amount of research, incorporating diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers, and plantation records, and the result is a horror story that ends up being a dark warning that disaster is often not seen coming until it’s too late. Which leads me to my unease: there are just too many parallels between that time and where the country is today. I had to keep putting it down! If the coming election ends up rejecting increasingly strong beliefs in the need to end democracy, I plan to re-read it more carefully. At this time, I just couldn’t bear it. But bravo to Larson. Five stars.