First published in 1866, this book offers a trenchant critique of the conduct of the Civil War and its aftermath, from the perspective of a committed abolitionist. Mahan takes to task the political and military leaders of the North and South alike, and argues that the struggle was ultimately won by the moral force of the Union cause. Although controversial in its day, his argument still resonates with contemporary debates about the meaning and legacy of the Civil War. A must-read for anyone interested in the politics and culture of this pivotal period in American history.

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