The book focuses on the five months leading up to the U.S. civil war - April 12, 1861 to April 9, 1865. Prior to Abraham Lincoln being elected president in November 1860, the the crisis of division was unfolding between the North and the South. Erik Larson brings to life the tense standoff at Fort Sumter, which became a pivotal milestone. The intrigue, power plays, angst, the courtesy extended by both sides, and miscommunications played out over five months - at a time when the sitting president was James Buchanan and the incoming president Abraham Lincoln didn’t take office until March of 1861, which was the process at that time. Clearly, there was an amazing amount of research that went into the making of this book. So much that at times, it felt a bit overwhelming given the incredible number of individuals, numerous details and liberal use of quotes, which detracted from enjoying the book more. Less would have definitely been more here. The book dragged until about the 61% mark. It felt like it took me forever to finish the book. I was a bit disappointed in Erik Larson’s latest, especially since I throughly enjoyed his last two books and he’s an incredible writer. However, this is still an overall okay read on a very interesting time in U.S. history. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“Demon of Unrest” is about the months leading up to the start of the U.S. Civil War. It is the HUMAN story that features the sometimes larger-than-life personalities who allowed ego and hubris to drive their political and social machinations. Erik Larson’ narrative style makes for a riveting and sometimes revolting story. He does not pull punches when describing the lives and work of important figures in the lead up to the war.

There are many aspects of this story that I had never heard before. Larson makes the reader realize how often the true nature of significant figures is hidden or glossed over as he uses their own words, court records, and other public documents to paint a picture of the complex human interactions that ultimately led to war.

This book is great for those who enjoy learning about U.S. History, Civil War History, or Abraham Lincoln. If you are already a fan of Erik Larson as I am, do not delay in picking up “Demon of Unrest.”

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and Crown Publishing, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

There have been many books written about the presidency of Abraham Lincoln and about the Civil War, but this is the first title I've read that focused on the incident that, arguably, was the key event that sparked the Civil War: The attack and eventual occupation of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. Lincoln had just been elected - to many people's surprise - and he saw the dispute between North and South growing. The source was a fundamental disagreement between the legality and morality of slave ownership, but he felt if he took a hard line on state rights, he'd reassure the Southern states that the Union wouldn't outlaw slavery.

Meanwhile, Major Robert Anderson was in charge of Fort Sumter, one of the strongest and most strategic American fortresses in Charleston Harbor and, once South Carolina voted to secede from the Union, a Northern stronghold. Anderson, for his part, was sympathetic to the rights of slaveowners (having owned slaves of his own at one point), but a loyal Union soldier. He held out, even as the Fort was shelled day and night from multiple Confederate locations around the harbor, even as they ran out of food and, eventually, all resources.

Would the North send ships with food, armaments, and additional soldiers or would it fear the consequences of traveling through a hostile harbor when there wasn't yet war declared? Or would the Union leave Anderson to manage as best he could in the face of overwhelming odds? Most surprisingly: Secretary of State William Seward comes across in this book as a very different character than what I'd been taught in the past.

Larson has produced another exciting and compelling read, and while it might be mistitled (I would argue "The Demon of Unrest" suggests it's about the causes of the Civil War, when it's focused on Fort Sumter) it's a very good read for anyone interested in history and its echoes in contemporary American culture.

I thought this book was well researched and I appreciate the author's effort in doing so. Something that I really love about his work is that he always spends so much time deep diving into the subject that he's writing about.

My biggest concern with the book was that I felt it was too sympathetic on the south side. I do understand that that is a personal hangout of mine and not necessarily negative criticism of the author. Growing up in the south I have first-hand experience with the long-term ramifications that the Civil War has had on our culture down here so it's not something that I take lightly. If you are open to that point of view then I would definitely urge people to give this one a go.

All the inner workings of the characters and how they related to each other and to the story were addressed consistently and it builds well to the end of the book.

I have read several Erik Larson books. I enjoy how Erik reveals little known anecdotes. The Demon of Unrest illustrates Larson’s ability to tell little known stories about his subjects. I lived most of my life in Indianapolis. I had never heard of the hotel , Bates House, where Lincoln spent the night on his way to Washington for his inauguration. He gave his first policy speech from this location. Larson displays Lincoln’s humor when the train stopped in Thorntown. Lincoln was in the middle of speaking and the train moved on before he finished. His next stop was Lebanon ten miles away. He remarked that there seemed to be a larger crowd and that the people who were listening to the speech in Thorntown came on their horses to be able to hear the rest of the speech in Lebanon. I enjoyed the bits of humor in the book to break up the seriousness of the time period. Larson has excellent background tidbits for so many of the participants leading up to the battle of Fort Sumpter. After starting this book, I decided to get the audio and follow along in the book. I am so glad I did. The narrator was excellent.

Looking for some good non-fiction? Erik Larson is always a win, and his most recent book tackles Fort Sumter and all that went on there. As always in a story like this, there are a ton of characters to keep straight, but Larson and his book team did a good job by giving the reader helpful chapter headings. A great book for the history buff.

This was an excellent and well-researched novel of events leading up to the Civil War. I learned a lot of history and found this book so interesting from start to finish. We must learn from history to prevent it from repeating but there are many parallels between then and now. This book is well worth the time it takes to read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

There are two types of people who are going to eagerly seek out this book - fans of anything that Erik Larson writes, and those who want to learn more about events leading up to the attack on Fort Sumter that set off the Civil War.

Oh, who am I kidding, the vast majority of people who read this are going to do so because it's by Erik Larson. In skimming through book covers of upcoming releases months ago, I briefly saw this one and, from the cover art and enigmatic title, it never even registered with me that this was about Fort Sumter at all. But I could sure tell from the dark, moody, Larson-esque looks of it that it was destined to be another well-written, page-turning, surefire Larson bestseller, whatever it happened to be about.

As for me, I've only read one Larson book - The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America, many years ago when it first came out. I remember it being quite good. But I've read a lot of books about Fort Sumter and Lincoln and the Civil War. So that might put me in the distinct minority of people who ran to get this newest book not because of the author, but because of the subject matter. Or, perhaps, because of the combination of author and subject matter.

And of course I wanted this to be good, or I wouldn't have read it. But a small part of me may have secretly wanted to act like some know-it-all, pointing out the book's flaws so I could show off how little ol' me knows better than a best-selling author. Thankfully, for many reasons, that did not come to pass. Are there more thoughtful, detailed, analytical books out there about the lead up to the attack on Fort Sumter? Sure. Are there more dramatic, suspenseful, gripping Erik Larson books out there? I suppose, based on my own limited experience. Nonetheless, I give this the highest rating because it does so well what it sets out to do, and tells the story of Fort Sumter in perhaps the most engaging way possible.

Larson’s telling of the story is distinctly character-driven, as events unfold through the eyes of major players like Presidents Buchanan, Lincoln and Davis; Secretary of State Seward and Sumter commander Robert Anderson, as well as observers like diarist and socialite Mary Chesnut, reporter William Howard Russell and Zelig-like Virginian Edmund Ruffin, who eventually becomes something of a human through line to the whole story, as he seemingly pops up everywhere, from various prewar states considering secession, to the attack on Sumter, to, later, Bull Run.

The focus on personalities over dry discussions of policies and politics keeps the book engaging and moving along. The very structure of the book does as well. The seven “parts” of the book are broken into many short chapters - one of them barely three paragraphs long - which keeps it pacey and gives the book a “can’t put it down” page-turning quality. It becomes easy to say, oh, I’ll just read one more chapter before bed, and then find yourself reading many more. Larson is a pro, after all, and clearly knows what he’s doing here.

As for historical accuracy, there’s nothing I found myself quibbling with, aside from the possibly questionable veracity of some quotes, which is something that anyone writing about this period has to contend with. Lest anyone think he’s inventing any dialogue, Larson explains at the outset that anything he puts in quotes is something that someone actually said or wrote. Yet, many of these quotes are from reminiscences published decades after the conversations they recount took place, so it might have been clunky but helpful to have the sources of the quotes incorporated into the narrative rather than tucked away in the end notes, so the reader could better judge how literally to take those quotes.

Otherwise, my only other critique is that sometimes the story moves so swiftly, that dramatic events whiz by - or maybe they weren’t actually as dramatic as Larson made them out to be in the first place, as some events are heavily foreshadowed, but when they finally arrive, they quickly occur without incident. This happens, for instance, with the Baltimore Plot, the alleged Lincoln assassination conspiracies as he traveled to his inauguration. The threat looms ever larger as the narrative progresses, only to quickly be dispensed with once Lincoln arrives in, and departs from, Baltimore. “No weapons were confiscated, no arrests made” amid “doubt(s) that a specific plot existed,” Larson summarizes before dropping it and moving on. It also happens with the potential disruption of the electoral vote count in Congress, which brings to mind violent images of January 6, 2021. When the moment arrives, though, Larson states that “concern about the count was real,” but ultimately, “the count went smoothly,” and that’s the end of that.

And evoking January 6 was no accident - Larson mentions it in the very first sentence of the book. It’s a bit of a strained comparison to try to relate events of that time to now, but I suppose it’s necessary and forgivable for a work of popular history to make those comparisons in order to help make history seem more relevant to a casual reader who might wonder why they should care about events from long ago.

The challenge of any book that aims to tell only part of the story of this era, is when to end it. If you tell a story about a certain period of Lincoln’s life, do you have to eventually relate how that life ended? If you tell about the beginning of the Civil War, do you also have to summarize how it concluded? Larson does both of these things in the epilogue, after the main narrative ends with the surrender of Fort Sumter. But then he goes on to end the book in a rather unique way, with a scene that I won’t spoil, but it’s certainly one that most readers probably wouldn’t have seen coming.

I wouldn’t say I necessarily learned anything new from this book, but then that would be missing the point. Like most of Larson’s historical narratives, it’s more about enjoying the storytelling than merely acquiring knowledge. For those who already know how it all turned out, this may not be their favorite Larson book in that it lacks a certain drama and tension and a sense that you have no idea what twists and turns are coming next. I liked it regardless. As for anyone who’s not already familiar with the events he relates, this may be the best and most readable account of the months leading up to the Civil War. I’ve read many books about Fort Sumter, but if someone were to ask me to recommend just one book to read about the subject, I’d very likely suggest they read this one.

Considering this story has been told many times by many authors over the years, the fact that Larson was able to put a new and engaging spin on it - one that may be as interesting to the expert reader as it is to the novice - is a noteworthy achievement, resulting in a book that I’d happily recommend.

One of the kings of narrative non-fiction has done it again! This book is practically un-put-down-able, as Larson weaves the (almost) impossible to believe story of a nation on the precipice of cataclysm. For me, it was impossible to not draw parallels between 1860s America and 2020s America, but the book is never heavy-handed. A worthy addition to popular histories of the Civil War - this is one that will be talked about for years to come.

Erik Larson is the best non-fiction author out there, and this book is no exception. This book is a very detailed account of the start of the Civil War, starting with Lincoln’s election and ending with the first shots of the war and the Battle of Fort Sumter. It’s told from the perspectives of the key figures of the time and does a phenomenal job of explaining the events and mindsets of said key figures that resulted in the war. My husband and I actually went to Charleston and Fort Sumter last summer, so I loved reading about the full history and having our trip and what we learned as a backdrop to reading this book.

I mean it when I say this book is detailed—it describes the lead up to the war of those 6 months sometimes by the day. It took me longer than usual to read because I couldn’t read it in big chunks (due to work and other life stuff—not because I didn’t want to read it!) so it took me a bit to remember where I was in the timeline each time. But I absolutely loved that level of detail in this book—it really painted the full picture and gave a full understanding of how the Civil War came to be, especially given that most people at that time assumed such a war would never occur. The subtitle is 100% accurate—it really is a tale of heartbreak, hubris, and heroism.

I absolutely recommend this one for history buffs, non-fiction lovers, and anyone wanting to get into non-fiction. Erik Larson writes all of his books like a compulsive novel that you can’t put down, and this one is incredible! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

5+++ stars!

And this is how it’s done!

I’ve never been a fan of most contemporary historical fiction. Why read fiction when the true story is riveting and rivals anything an author could imagine?

This book is the perfect example of narrative non-fiction at its finest.

Every word, every thought, every conversation is corroborated in the historical record, and Larson brings the characters to life for his readers. I was riveted from beginning to end, and felt I was living this time period alongside them.

Just as the author brought the events preceding WWII alive in his book, In The Garden of the Beasts, the author brings the events preceding the Civil War alive in this book.

I went into it thinking I knew the nuances and the history from the time prior to Lincoln’s election to the firing on Ft Sumter, the official beginning of the Civil War. I was wrong. My knowledge was incomplete.

What a treasure we have in Erik Larson. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.

A riveting narrative of the run up to the Civil War with the focus on the attack on Fort Sumter. Larson paints a vivid picture of both sides of the secession story by injecting personal stories that bring color and life. You feel the tension build as we careen toward war, and learn what this kick off to war meant to those of involved. A must read

Erik Larson does not miss. Another captivating look at a moment in history, this time as the north and south face insurmountable differences leading up to the Civil War. A must read for anyone.

This was a fully-detailed history of the immediate events leading up to the beginnings of the Civil War, specifically the attack on Fort Sumter that set it off.

There was clearly an immense amount of research that went into this book, so much so that the author is able to write it like a novel, telling the reader exactly what happened in an almost minute-by-minute recounting. There's incredible attention to detail, including thought processes, that comes from countless readings of memoirs and journals. It's well-written and absorbing.

I found the specific focus on the lead-up as opposed to the war itself as interesting and educational, with some of the characters often mentioned in Civil War books coming to life as the main characters here instead of passing names like in other works. We've all read tons about the Civil War, whether in non-fiction, historical fiction, or in school, ditto biographies about Lincoln. This opens up a new understanding of how people in the South viewed the situation.

Even though you know what's going to happen as you're reading, it's full of tension at some of the pivotal points, such as when an officer successfully evaded Southern sentries to move his people to Fort Sumter. It's riveting.

I took off one star, though, for two reasons. It seemed like perhaps a bit too detailed in many instances, which took away from some of the build-up. I also didn't love the opening chapter about Jan. 6. There have been many times in U.S. history, starting at the very beginning, with vicious infighting in the Washington administration between Hamilton and Jefferson, when it seemed like the gulf was too large to bridge. That's the nature of our 2-party system, and it took away from the impartiality of the book to bring modern politics into it, like it was politicizing what should be a facts-based book.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an advanced copy for review.

The Demon of Unreset
Erik Larson

⭐️⭐️/5

• Civil War history
• thorough writing

I have read this author's earlier work, but I could not get into this one.

🗣 Thank you to netgalley and Crown Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC! All opinions are honest and my own.

I have always loved Larsons narrative style and always come away knowing more about the topic. I enjoyed learning about this period in history
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sharing the book with me

THE DEMON OF UNREST is Erik Larson's most recent release in a long line of work that explores less-known points of view of pivotal events in Western history. This one turns its attention to the days between Abraham Lincoln's first election as President of the United States and the attack on Fort Sumter that would launch the United States into Civil War. Following the narrative through the lens of several Southern citizens, he paints a less told picture of the secessionist fervor and uncertainty into which the nation waded at that time.

The book has several strengths - the chronological narrative highlights a several-months period in which Lincoln's election, formal declarations of secession, and finally the attack on Fort Sumter are typically elided in history texts. Drawing out the distinct events within this period shows that while today we may look back on the sequence of events as inevitable, it was in fact a time of great uncertainty, with leaders at every level making decisions with imperfect information. The chronology also shows vividly shows the implications of slow travel and communication during this time (one officer, hearing of secession on the West Coast, immediately resigns his post and starts riding eastward, arriving in the East only months later).

Despite these strengths, my experience of the book was colored by the Author's Foreword, which draws explicit connections to the events of January 6th and undoubtedly shaped my interpretation of the remainder of the book to come. While the connections between the two series of events is clear, it did make me question throughout whether contemporary events influenced how Larson framed historical events. Perhaps the Foreword would have better been positioned as an Afterword.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

For more reviews and bookish posts visit: https://www.ManOfLaBook.com

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson is an account of the few months between Abraham Lincoln’s election to the attack of Fort Sumter by the Confederacy. Mr. Larson is an award winning author and a writer who spent much time on the best sellers’ lists.

This is a non-fiction book that tells, in a story-like fashion, of the beginning of the American Civil War. The author follows Fort Sumter’s commander, Major Robert Anderson, the secessionist radical Edmund Rufin, diarist and wife of a South Carolinian planter Mary Boykin Chestnut, and, of course, Abraham Lincoln.

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson is based on first-hand sources such as diaries, secret communications, as well as plantation records and ledgers. The story is presented very well, almost like a novel, telling a cohesive story from start to finish. I got a kick from the fact that Lincoln kept misspelling the fort’s name as “Sumpter” which was kept in his quoted correspondences.

I enjoyed reading about the disconnect between the highest echelons of government and the populace. Lincoln and William Seward (Secretary of State) honestly thought most Southerners would be against secession. The South Carolinians, however, had different ideas, helped by then-President Buchanan.

The path to the Confederate attack on a United States fort was paved by misunderstandings, missed opportunities, slow and/or vague communications, and indecisiveness. It seemed that the only two people who seemed to understand the significance of an attack and did everything they could to prevent it were Union Major Anderson, and Confederate General Beauregard on the other side of the bay.

The South Carolinians prided themselves on gentlemanly behavior and believed themselves to be American knights known as The Chivalry. Like Don Quixote, they filled their heads with stories of knight adventures, Sir Walter Scott was a major literary influence and believed in the Code Duello, rules that govern dueling. Each section of the book is introduced with examples from the code, which shows the South Carolinian mindset when it comes to battles.

The book unfolds the events that started the war from the ground up in a pulpy fashion, somewhat reminiscent of the adventure books the Confederates love, but maybe not the way they imagined themselves. The fact that I, a history geek who read much about the American Civil War, found the story suspenseful is a credit to Eric Larson’s immense talent.

This book was so great! I learned so much and it was written in a narrative style that made it interesting to read. I will definitely be picking up more Erik Larson in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book to read and review

Erik Larson, renowned for his masterful blend of meticulous research and compelling narrative, has once again delivered a captivating historical account with The Demon of Unrest. This book takes readers on an immersive journey through a tumultuous period, offering a profound exploration of the social and political upheavals that shaped the early 20th century.

Plot and Structure
The Demon of Unrest meticulously chronicles the period leading up to and during the early 20th century, a time rife with revolutionary fervor and societal change. Larson's narrative is anchored around pivotal historical events and figures, painting a vivid picture of an era marked by turmoil and transformation. The book’s structure adeptly balances detailed historical exposition with engaging storytelling, making complex events accessible and enthralling.

Research and Authenticity
One of Larson's greatest strengths is his commitment to thorough research, and this book is no exception. Drawing from an extensive array of primary sources, including letters, diaries, and contemporary news reports, Larson constructs a rich and authentic narrative. His dedication to accuracy and detail ensures that readers gain a nuanced understanding of the historical context and the forces driving the period’s unrest.

Character Development
The historical figures Larson brings to life in The Demon of Unrest are rendered with depth and humanity. From political leaders to ordinary citizens caught in the tide of change, the characters are vividly portrayed, their motivations and experiences intricately woven into the broader historical fabric. Larson’s ability to humanize these figures, presenting them with all their complexities, adds a compelling layer to the narrative.

Themes and Analysis
Central to The Demon of Unrest is the theme of societal upheaval and the human response to change. Larson delves into the fears, aspirations, and conflicts that fueled the era’s unrest, offering keen insights into the nature of revolution and reform. His analysis extends beyond mere historical recounting, drawing parallels to contemporary societal issues and the enduring struggle between progress and tradition.

Writing Style
Larson’s writing is both engaging and informative, striking a perfect balance between storytelling and historical analysis. His prose is clear and evocative, capturing the essence of the period while maintaining a narrative drive that keeps readers hooked. The book’s pacing is well-managed, ensuring that the wealth of historical detail never overwhelms the engaging storyline.

Conclusion
The Demon of Unrest is a testament to Erik Larson’s exceptional skill as a historian and storyteller. It is a deeply engaging and enlightening read that offers valuable perspectives on a pivotal period in history. Whether you are a seasoned history enthusiast or a casual reader seeking a compelling narrative, this book is a worthy addition to your collection.

In summary, The Demon of Unrest stands out as a remarkable work that not only educates but also entertains. Erik Larson’s meticulous research, combined with his ability to craft a gripping narrative, makes this book a standout addition to the genre of historical non-fiction. It is a powerful reminder of the complexities of societal change and the enduring human spirit in the face of upheaval.