Emancipating slaves, enslaving free men : a history of the American Civil War

Emancipating Slaves, Enslaving Free Men is an exciting narrative history offering fresh insights into many aspects of the Civil War. "This is a lucid, edifying account of the Civil War era. Mr. Hummel has an impressive command of the relevant contemporary literature. His interpretations are thoughtful, often provocative, always well worth considering, Civil War buffs will want this book on their shelves". -- Kenneth M. Stampp University of California, Berkeley "Hummel presents some uncomfortable truths for both sides of the Civil War. For the South, Hummel builds a case that the war was indeed about slavery. For the North, he shows that a war to preserve the union was morally bankrupt and that freeing the slaves was the only justifiable reason for fighting. Yet Hummel demonstrates that even a war for such a noble cause was probably unnecessary, since slavery was politically doomed in an independent South. Hummel also illustrates some of the cost of the war, such as Lincoln g suppression of political opposition, the closing of dissenting newspapers, and the creation of big government under Republicans Lincoln, Johnson, and Grant". -- Library Journal "In this insightful treatment of the Civil War (addressing the causes, the war itself and Reconstruction), Hummel's text argues against the thesis that armed confrontation was inevitable. With its insight)d analysis (not to mention the extensive bibliographical essays that elaborate each chapter), Emancipating Slaves, Enslaving Free Men will supply both the academic and Civil War buff with an added perspective on the causes and consequences of the Civil War". -- Publishers Weekly This Book Combines A Sweeping Narrative History Of The Civil War With A Bold New Look At The War's Significance For American Society. Professor Hummel Sees The Civil War As America's Turning Point: Simultaneously The Culmination And Repudiation Of The American Revolution. A Unique Feature Of The Book Is The Bibliographical Essays Which Follow Every Chapter. Here The Author Surveys The Literature And Points Out Where His Own Interpretation Fits Into The Continuing Clash Of Viewpoints Which Informs Historical Debate On The Civil War. Prologue: America's Crisis -- 1. Slavery And States' Rights In The Early Republic -- 2. The Political Economy Of Slavery And Secession -- 3. The Slave Power Seeks Foreign Conquest -- 4. Emergence Of The Republican Party -- 5. The Confederate States Of America -- 6. Mobilizing For Conflict -- 7. The Military Struggle -- 8. The War To Abolish Slavery? -- 9. Republican Neo-mercantilism Versus Confederate War Socialism -- 10. Dissent And Disaffection -- North And South -- 11. The Ravages Of Total War -- 12. The Politics Of Reconstruction -- 13. American Society Transformed -- Epilogue: America's Turning Point. Jeffrey Rogers Hummel. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.