Book Description
When William Freehling's Prelude to Civil War first appeared in 1965 it was immediately hailed as a brilliant and incisive study of the origins of the Civil War. Book Week called it "fresh, exciting, and convincing," while The Virginia Quarterly Review praised it as, quite simply, "history at its best." It was equally well-received by historical societies, garnering the Allan Nevins History Prize as well as a Bancroft Prize, the most prestigious history award of all. Now once again available, Prelude to Civil War is still the definitive work on the subject, and one of the most important in ante-bellum studies. It tells the story of the Nullification Controversy in South Carolina, describing how from 1816 to 1836 aristocratic planters of the Palmetto State tumbled from a contented and prosperous life of elegant balls and fine Madeira wines to a world rife with economic distress, guilt over slavery, and apprehension of slave rebellion. It shows in compelling detail how this reversal of fortune led the political leaders of South Carolina down the path to ever more radical states rights doctrines: in 1832 they were seeking to nullify federal law by refusing to obey it; four years later some of them were considering secession. As the story unfolds, we meet a colorful and skillfully drawn cast of characters, among them John C. Calhoun, who hoped nullifcation would save both his highest priority, slavery, and his next priority, union; President Andrew Jackson, who threatened to hang Calhoun and lead federal troops into South Carolina; Denmark Vesey, who organized and nearly brought off a slave conspiracy; and Martin Van Buren, the "Little Magician," who plotted craftily to replace Calhoun in Jackson's esteem. These and other important figures come to life in these pages, and help to tell a tale--often in their own words--central to an understanding of the war which eventually engulfed the United States. Demonstrating how a profound sensitivity to the still-shadowy slavery issue--not serious economic problems alone--led to the Nullification Controversy, Freehling revises many theories previously held by historians. He describes how fear of abolitionists and their lobbying power in Congress prompted South Carolina's leaders to ban virtually any public discussion of the South's "peculiar institution," and shows that while the Civil War had many beginnings, none was more significant than this single, passionate controversy. Written in a lively and eminently readable style, Prelude to Civil War is must reading for anyone trying to discover the roots of the conflict that soon would tear the Union apart.
Customer Reviews:
Early Stages of the Civil War.......2007-06-02
It is impossible in history to set a definite time for the beginning or ending of an event large or small. Many 19th century historians believe the Civil War began around 1776. Dr. Freehling is of this opinion but in this book he brings us closer to the main event for a start.
Why is this book important? First, it is written by the foremost historian of 19th century America. Second, while giving credence to the economic issues that covered the real causes of war, Dr. Freehling decimates the theory that the war was mainly a struggle over two unique economies and the support of states' rights. He shows clearly the real issue at hand was the threatened squeeze on the future of slavery. Third and most important the book gives us much to rethink in our evaluations and conceptions, offered in scholarly but very readable prose for which the author has become famous.
Put simply, if anyone is interested in American history and knows the author this book is a must have. No one who reads William W. Freehling wastes time or energy reading his work.
Slow but excellent read.......2004-06-28
For the Civil War and Age of Jackson aficionado, this is an excellent book to read. One will not be able to fly through the 360 pages, but it is very enjoyable and full of great information about the Ante Bellum south as well as the country's political landscape in that era. We know little today about how close South Carolina came to seceding from the Union. The Nullification Crisis, while a mind-numbing subject in high school and college, is brought to life here in a way that is easy to understand and follow. Freehling did an excellent job of researching and explaining the many dynamics involved in the South Carolina society in determining who was for or against nullification, secession, preserving the union and protecting slavery and why. The interplay was fascinating and, though I couldn't recite it back to you, I obtained a lot of knowledge I had never been exposed to before.
With Ronald Reagan's passing, discussions turned again to our "best" or "great" presidents. Andrew Jackson's name is frequently included among our Top Ten by most historians, yet very few of us could say why he deserves to be so highly regarded. In books like this, we can see why. He is not what I would consider to be a likable man and definitely comes across as somewhat tyrannical (not just in this book), but one has to admit after reading this book that he handled the Nullification Crisis and its aftermath very deftly with a clear vision and objective: that allegiance to the Union comes first and preservation of the Union is paramount. He laid the groundwork for Lincoln's management of the Civil War, some 25-30 years later.
The book is well-annotated and, though more than 35 years old is still relevant in its ideas and also in the sources it directs us to for further reading.
Fantastic.......2002-08-20
With the possible exception of David M. Potter's classic "The Impending Crisis," William Freehling's "Prelude to Civil War: The Nullification Controversy in South Carolina, 1816-1836" is perhaps the best book written on antebellum America in the past 50 years. Originally published in 1965 and a recipient of the prestigious Bancroft Prize, Freehling's work is a beautifully written and persuasively argued case that the conventional wisdom about the nullification crisis of 1832 is grossly oversimplified and, in the end, fundamentally incorrect.
Two points are central to Freehling's thesis: 1) growing anxiety over slavery and the nascent abolitionist movement - especially acute in the low country - was as important a factor in driving the aggressive states rights posture taken during the nullification crisis as was reaction to the tariff; and 2) South Carolinians themselves were as much to blame for their economic woes during the 1820s and 1830s as the "Tariff of Abominations."
Freehling notes that you can often tell a lot about a society by disproportionate reactions to perceived threats. In this case, the South Carolinian response to the first faint rumblings of abolitionist agitation was far in excess to the actual threat posed in the 1820s and early 30s, according to the author. However, the extremely dense slave population in the South Carolina low country (in some areas slaves out numbered whites 5 to 1), the experience of the Denmark Vesey conspiracy in 1822, the mysterious arsonist fires in Charleston, the constant presence of Yankee peddlers and free black British seamen mixing with the slave population, and the slow but ultimately successful abolition campaign of William Wilberforce in England all conspired to create an environment of fear and doom among the South Carolina gentry.
The traditional interpretation of the tariff's adverse impact in South Carolina was that the local planters were forced to trade their raw goods (in this case cotton) on the international open market but buy their end goods in a protected domestic market. Freehling concedes that there is some basis of truth to this claim, but only for a certain segment of the population. Some of the most ardent nullifiers were low country rice planters whose economic condition was relatively unaffected by the tariff and whose prices remained stable. The issue that welded the low country elite to an issue whose consequences were really absorbed by the up country was (in addition to inter marriage, school days at South Carolina College, etc.) the latter's growing fear of the abolitionists. Moreover, Freehling argues, gross absentee mismanagement of plantations, combined with a poor state financial infrastructure and a penchant to dramatically overspend for luxury items (the much needed specie often flowing outside of the state) were nearly as important in explaining the economic depression that gripped the region for over a decade as the tariff.
Freehling makes his case eloquently and convincingly. For those with a serious interest in early 19th century American history - especially those interested in economic development, states rights doctrine, or the impact of abolitionism - this book cannot be more highly recommended.
History at its best..........2000-05-07
If you become interested in the American Civil War you will find yourself going back further and further into our history seeking the roots of this conflict. If you don't choose to return to the Constitutional debates and compromises Freehling's book is one of the best places to begin your attempts to understand just what happened.
This book is an engrossing history of the revolt of South Carolina against the tariffs and trade rules imposed by the general government in Washington D.C. It has a fabulous cast of characters beginning with John C. Calhoun and running down through the South Carolina planters and politicians who ultimately did so much to break up the Union. Andrew Jackson, as president, puts an end to what almost became an armed revolt and could have caused gunfire to errupt in Charleston Bay decades before the showdown came at Fort Sumter.
I loved this book, as I did Mr. Freehling's "Road to Disunion", and only regret that the second volume of that work never did appear as promised.
Customer Reviews:
When America really became a Nation.......2007-07-22
The editors of Time-Life Books have done a super job in putting together a comprehensive look at the period between 1870-1900.This period starts 5 years after the Civil War and covers the next 30 years up to the beginning of the 20th Century. During this period,it was necessary to expand throughout the country and prepare for the great industrial development that was to follow.It was a hard time.Greatly ravished by the Civil War,facing extreme hardships from the weather,Indians,Land Barons,Outlaws,many uncontrolable diseases,floods and fires; the people faced it all and developed their country.Though many years behind Europe,with nothing but spirit, hard work and sacrifice,they turned America into the world's most powerful country.
The book is loaded with excellent photographs,and one should not forget that photography was still in its infantcy during the Civil War. Even by 1900,the country was still waiting for the automobile and while Railroads were up and running,electricity and the telephone was still new.The book details the development of the Frontier and the West,the East having already been established. The book also covers the whole country in areas of Cycling,Occupations,Education,The Press,The Victorian Lifestyle,Nostrums,City Building,and finally Amusements and Pastimes.
When yuu see how much developed in that short time of 30 years,you are left wondering if as much has ever taken place in such a short time.It also seems that government had little to do with it, except possibly with the Railroads,but to get out of the way and let the people get on with building their nation.
Time-Life have published many fine books over the years and this is another good example of their efforts.
Good Information.......2000-12-15
I felt that this book had much information to share about this certain time period, 1870-1900. I had to do a huge report on this exact time period, and i found this book to be an excellent source of information, and it was very helpful to me.
Customer Reviews:
Fascinating source of historical detail.......2006-02-08
As a Hanover native, I was nine years old when I witnessed the 1963 re-enactment of the Battle of Hanover. School field trips to the Gettysburg Battlefield sealed my lifelong interest in the Civil War.
This book provides numerous, fascinating first-hand accounts of the events between June 27 and July 3, 1863. Dozens of photographs from that era and a battle map are included. It is a treasure trove of anecdotal bits that would be hard to find anywhere else. For that reason alone, I would recommend this book to ANY reader: casual or "fanatic." Much information is also given to the years before and after the Civil War, with particular attention given to the various remembrances in later years.
The epilogue includes some intriguing facts. My favorite: as of the 1962 publication date there were about 36,000 residents of the Hanover area, of which about 97% were native born. No wonder so many family names from the 1860's are still well represented in the area today. With increased college attendance, interstate highways, and the influx of Marylanders seeking tax relief, I wonder what the percentage of native-born residents is today?
There is one serious fault in the book. There is no index, which is especially necessary in this case because the book is not arranged chronologically. Due to the prevalance of individual accounts, the chronology of the book is quite disjointed. This may have been exacerbated by the fact that there is no attributed author, rather a publication committe of nine men (one of whom was my grandfather, C. Homer Meredith.) I get the impression that several different authors compiled their individual efforts with little concern for overlap -- which is a good thing in many ways, but disconcerting if one is expecting a more typical layout. Therefore, a thorough index would be extremely helpful. Hopefully, an index will be included in a new edition for the 150th-year commemoration in 2013.
Average customer rating:
- Great addition to Civil War scholarship!
- Discover Canada's unknown civil war history
- Great addition to Civil War scholarship!
- Great addition to Civil War scholarship!
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Canada and the American Civil War : Prelude To War
Mark Vinet
Manufacturer: Wadem Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Canada
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0968832008 |
Book Description
In April 1861, troops of the new Confederate States of America opened fire on Union-occupied fort Sumter and launched a bloody four-year war that killed at least six hundred and twenty thousand men, including thousands of Canadians who fought in the War.
In accordance with Britain's foreign policy towards the War, Canada was officially neutral. This, however, did not prevent approximately fifty thousand Canadian-born soldiers from serving in both armies. Four Canadians attained the rank of brigadier-general and twenty-nine were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Throughout the War, Canadian public opinion was divided for various reasons, including religion, language, culture, economic class, and moral background. The Civil War was the culmination of the reciprocal, sometimes parallel, but often intertwining influence of both the United States and Canada on each other's historical, territorial, political, economic, and social development. Following the War - two new nations emerged.
PRELUDE TO WAR is the first in a series of books dealing with Canada and the American Civil War by Canadian author and historian Mark Vinet. It offers an in-depth study of the fiery issues that led to the War and dramatically unveils how both countries, as neighbors, dealt with the contentious issues of Sectionalism, Slavery, Slave Rebellions, Abolitionism, and the Underground Railroad.
Includes 26 Maps, Photographs, and Illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
Great addition to Civil War scholarship!.......2005-08-07
Mark Vinet has written a very important, highly readable book which bridges the events leading up to the Civil War with the development of the Canadian nation. Citing hundreds of sources, author Mark Vinet presents an enlightening step-by-step approach to a number of pre-Civil war related topics such as the history of slavery in North America--the only place racially motivated bondage ever thrived. For example, a law put in place by John Graves Simcoe, the Lt. Governor of Ontario in 1793 making slavery illegal in Ontario, prompted the British to outlaw slavery throughout the British Commonwealth a number of years later. There are many other little known but eye-opening stories in this work which reveal the importance of Canada and Canadians to Civil War era study. Vinet also places the underground railway-perhaps Canada's greatest achievement in helping to destroy slavery in the United States-in context as an international effort involving brave people who put their lives on the line for their belief in freedom for all.
Discover Canada's unknown civil war history.......2002-03-27
I was fascinated in discovering Canada's unknown history and connection with the American Civil War. My ancesters are from Canada and it opened my eyes to that country's involvement in our bloody civil war. I was surprised to discover that modern Canada took shape in 1867, 2 years following the end of the civil war.
Great addition to Civil War scholarship!.......2001-08-19
Mark Vinet has written a very important , highly readable book which bridges the events leading up to the Civil War with the development of the Canadian nation. Citing hundreds of sources, author Mark Vinet presents an enlightening step-by-step approach to a number of pre-Civil war related topics such as the history of slavery in North America--the only place racially motivated bondage ever thrived. For example, a law put in place by John Graves Simcoe, the Lt. Governor of Ontario in 1793 making slavery illegal in Ontario , prompted the British to outlaw slavery throughout the British Commonwealth a number of years later. There are many other little known but eye-opening stories in this work which reveal the importance of Canada and Canadians to Civil War era study. Vinet also places the underground railway-perhaps Canada's greatest achievement in helping to destroy slavery in the United States-in context as an international effort involving brave people who put their lives on the line for their belief in freedom for all. I look forward to his next book--the second of four histories of the Canadian involvement in the United States Civil war
Great addition to Civil War scholarship!.......2001-08-19
Mark Vinet has written a very important , highly readable book which bridges the events leading up to the Civil War with the development of the Canadian nation. Citing hundreds of sources, author Mark Vinet presents an enlightening step-by-step approach to a number of pre-Civil war related topics such as the history of slavery in North America--the only place racially motivated bondage ever thrived. For example, a law put in place by John Graves Simcoe, the Lt. Governor of Ontario in 1793 making slavery illegal in Ontario , prompted the British to outlaw slavery throughout the British Commonwealth a number of years later. There are many other little known but eye-opening stories in this work which reveal the importance of Canada and Canadians to Civil War era study. Vinet also places the underground railway-perhaps Canada's greatest achievement in helping to destroy slavery in the United States-in context as an international effort involving brave people who put their lives on the line for their belief in freedom for all. I look forward to his next book--the second of four histories of the Canadian involvement in the United States Civil war
Average customer rating:
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Encounter at Hanover: Prelude to Gettysburg
George Reeser Prowell
Manufacturer: White Mane Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
General
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
Gettysburg
| Campaigns
| Civil War
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Military
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 0942597079 |
Book Description
With her disarming, intimate, completely accessible voice, and dry sense of humor, Nora Ephron shares with us her ups and downs in I Feel Bad About My Neck, a candid, hilarious look at women who are getting older and dealing with the tribulations of maintenance, menopause, empty nests, and life itself.
The woman who brought us When Harry Met Sally . . . , Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Bewitched, and the author of best sellers Heartburn, Scribble Scribble, and Crazy Salad, discusses everything—from how much she hates her purse to how much time she spends attempting to stop the clock: the hair dye, the treadmill, the lotions and creams that promise to slow the aging process but never do. Oh, and she can’t stand the way her neck looks. But her dermatologist tells her there’s no quick fix for that.
Ephron chronicles her life as an obsessed cook, passionate city dweller, and hapless parent. She recounts her anything-but-glamorous days as a White House intern during the JFK years (“I am probably the only young woman who ever worked in the Kennedy White House that the President did not make a pass at”) and shares how she fell in and out of love with Bill Clinton—from a distance, of course. But mostly she speaks frankly and uproariously about life as a woman of a certain age.
Utterly courageous, wickedly funny, and unexpectedly moving in its truth telling, I Feel Bad About My Neck is a book of wisdom, advice, and laugh-out-loud moments, a scrumptious, irresistible treat.
Customer Reviews:
Great read, slightly depressing ........2007-09-25
This book was funny and easy to read for anyone over 50 , if you're any younger you wont get half the jokes . It did get a little depressing towards the end , but some may just call it realistic ( about getting old and death ) .
Not the fun read I expected.......2007-09-25
Maybe it's just me, but I expected so much more from this book. I thought it would be wittier, more original, and use humor to inspire middle aged women like me. Instead I found it to be a negative read and it just brought me down. Sorry, no recommendation from me on this one.
Waste of Time.......2007-09-25
I really feel cheated out of several hours of time and the cost of the book. Instead of funny and insightful, it was whiny and shallow. I should have read the reviews at Amazon instead of seeing her on Oprah and thinking the bookI Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman would be worth my time and money.
I Feel Bad About My Neck..........2007-09-25
Quick and easy read. Entertaining and insightful of how we feel but haven't put our thoughts into book form. Nora did for us.
I Feel Bad About My Neck.......2007-09-24
Hilarious. I bought copies for my friends who are also "of a certain age." I love Nora Ephron's humor.
Book Description
This digital document is an article from Saturday Evening Post, published by Thomson Gale on May 1, 2007. The length of the article is 2474 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.
Citation Details
Title: Post picks for spring: a heartfelt tribute to an entertainment giant, a fascinating expose of "our national eating disorder," and Nora Ephron's wickedly funny look at the tribulations of getting older.(Book review)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication:
Saturday Evening Post (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 279
Issue: 3
Page: 78(3)
Article Type: Book review
Distributed by Thomson Gale
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