The American Civil War

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Erik Larson on the 5-months that changed American history

Tom Hall

"The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of The Civil War" explores the time period between President Abraham Lincoln's election and the surrender of Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

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Erik Larson on the dawn of the Civil War in "The Demon of Unrest"

Tom Hall

Historian Erik Larson speaks with Tom Hall about his latest book, "The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of The Civil War" which explores the time period between President Lincoln's election and the surrender of Fort Sumter in South Carolina.

Sergeant Tom Strawn of Company B, 3rd U.S. Colored Troops Heavy Artillery Regiment, with revolver in front of painted backdrop showing balustrade and landscape credit: LOC/Flickr/Creative Commons

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"Color Guard"

Ric Cottom

The heroism of a "regiment of slaves."

Unidentified soldier in Confederate uniform with large Bowie knife and revolver Credit: LOC/Flickr/Creative Commons

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"High Treason"

Ric Cottom

Coming home from the war.

David Gray (l), Mark Twain, and George Alfred Townsend (r) /Flickr/Creative Commons/LOC

WYPR Features

"Lost Sons"

Ric Cottom

In 1862, the harsh realities of the Civil War become more clear.

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Looking for lessons in the leaders and battles of the American Civil War

Sam Bermas-Dawes

We’ll go On the Record with two authors with recently published books on the U.S. Civil War. NPR’s Steve Inskeep writes of the political acumen of President Abraham Lincoln. Historian Scott Hartwig’s in-depth research brings sharp focus to the bloody Antietam battlefield.