ePub We Have the War Upon Us: The Onset of the Civil War; November 1860-April 1861 by William J. Cooper in History

Review

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The War finally Makes Some Sense to an Aussie!By Andrew CooperFascinating. For an Australian; its hard to understand how a country who's people had so much in common could go to war and butcher each other for so long; so brutally; and in such huge numbers. This book has helped to explain that to me. It does it in a comprehensive; but not dull; way. I found it a riveting story; with the characters really brought to life. I remain amazed at what Americans did to each other during that horrible period but at least now I have some understanding of how they let it happen and why it was such a defining event.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Really enjoying this book; covering the deliberations North and ...By T. JankeReally enjoying this book; covering the deliberations North and South between Lincoln's election and the beginning of the American Civil War. Lots of material and very well written.5 of 6 people found the following review helpful. A Real Page Turner In Academic History!By PaulWilliam J. Cooper has written a magnificently researched account of the political atmosphere that prevailed in the United States immediately after the election of Abraham Lincoln and through the first shots of the Civil War at Fort Sumter. What individual elements made up the call to arms on both sides of the Mason Dixon line? Which persons were conciliatory and which were belligerent? What contribution did the nuances of the several political parties play in the mood of the population? Was the Civil War inevitable no matter what action was taken by Lincoln?These are just a few of the thought-provoking issues raised in Dr. Cooper's book. Like the excellent college professor that he is; he doesn't answer these questions for you but lets you draw your own conclusions with the research that he presents.This book is very readable and I found it to be a real honest-to-goodness page turner! That is much to say for a book that I would classify as an excellently researched academic history.