Erik Larson is one of the best narrative non-fiction writers in the game, and "The Demon of Unrest" is another winner. Tackling the start of the Civil War, fans and new readers alike will be captivated.

In _The Demon of Unrest_, Erik Larson once again captivates the reader as he answers his own question (articulated in Sources and Acknowledgements): “Exactly how DID the Civil War begin?” Framing the clash between North and South as an affair of honor, Larson introduces each new act in the drama with a relevant passage from _The Code Duello_. Using excerpts from letters, diaries, newspapers, etc, Larson traces the history of sectionalism from President Lincoln’s election to General Anderson’s surrender at Fort Sumter (with an epilogue to bring closure to the conflict). Larson’s signature style of narrative non-fiction— descriptive, engaging, and even witty at times, reminds the reader that the best part of “history” is always the “story.”