What a triumph.As the United States marks the 150th anniversary of our defining national drama, 1861 presents a gripping and original account of how the Civil War began.ġ861 is an epic of courage and heroism beyond the battlefields. The research is impeccable, the cast of little-known characters we are introduced to is thoroughly fascinating, the book is utterly thought-provoking, and the story is luminescent. 'With boundless verve, Adam Goodheart has sketched an uncommonly rich tableau of America on the cusp of the Civil War. 'An impressive accomplishment, a delightful read, and a valuable contribution that will entertain and challenge popular and professional audiences alike.' conjures a remarkable cast of individual Americansfrom slaves and foot soldiers to the occupant of the Oval Officeusing their stories to evoke a national watershed.' for the authors deft narrative style and vivid description. 'A compelling look at the countrys dawning realization that this would be much more than a quickly resolved conflict over slavery, through the experiences of a fascinating cast of characters given short shrift (if any shrift at all) in previous Civil War books.' 'Goodheart is an elegant writer and this is a highly readable introduction to Americas great civil conflict.' 'Doing what David McCulloughs 1776 did for the American Revolution, Goodhearts book delivers a remarkably original and gripping account of the year the Civil War began.' Enlightening, insightful, and yes, entertaining.' Goodheart brings us into the world of mid-nineteenth-century America, as ambiguous and ambitious and fractured as the times we live in now, and he brings to pulsing life the hearts and minds of its American citizens.' Goodheart gives readers a sense of what it was like to have been there.' Tony Horwitz, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and author of Confederates in the Attic Penetrating, eloquent, and deeply moving, this is a classic introduction to the nations greatest conflict.' ' 1861 is the best book I have ever read on the start of the Civil War. He takes what is known, breaks it down to its elemental parts and rearranges it, giving us a different view entirely of something we thought we understood entirely.' 'Goodheart shows us that even at 150 years distance there are new voices, and new stories, to be heard about the Civil War, and that together they can have real meaning. The books will renew ones excitement about reading history.' 'Goodheart writes with precision, beauty and understanding. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Battle Cry of Freedom

'Adam Goodheart is a Monet with a pen instead of a paintbrush.' Hardly a page of this book lacks an insight of importance or a fact that beguiles the reader.'

1861 creates the uncanny illusion that the reader has stepped into a time machine.'

1861 by adam goodheart