1 / 4The Demon of Unrest: Abraham Lincoln & America's Road to Civil War
America's Road: The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson recounts the five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the American Civil War. This 592-page English-language history follows political crises around Fort Sumter through figures including Lincoln, Robert Anderson, Edmund Ruffin and Mary Boykin Chesnut.
At a glance
- Covers the period from Lincoln’s 1860 election to the Confederate shelling of Fort Sumter.
- Centres on political decision-making and personal accounts amid secession, with Lincoln, Robert Anderson, Edmund Ruffin and Mary Boykin Chesnut among its key figures.
- The listing says Larson draws on diaries, secret communiques, slave ledgers and plantation records.
Reference price: $27.99
Price checked: 13 Nov 2026
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Pros and cons
Pros
- A day-by-day historical approach is reported by customers as a strength.
- The narrative places political events alongside personal stories, including the social world of antebellum South Carolina.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Publisher | HarperCollins GB |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 21 October 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 592 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0008681791 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0008681791 |
| Dimensions | 20 x 2 x 15 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight listed | 396 g |
What to know before buying
Listing details to confirm
The listing describes the book as the five months between Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War, making it a focused account of the crisis rather than a survey of the entire war.
Who is it for?
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
61% 61% - 4 stars
28% 28% - 3 stars
8% 8% - 2 stars
2% 2% - 1 star
1% 1%
Customer feedback is positive about the research, day-by-day historical approach and storytelling, with a specific mention of the account of antebellum South Carolina high society. For readers who want a close narrative of the crisis before Fort Sumter, those reported qualities may suit the book’s focused subject. Aggregate ratings are broadly favourable, though ratings alone do not explain individual experiences.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the research and day-by-day historical approach.
- Customers appreciate the storytelling and historical context, including antebellum South Carolina high society.
Frequently asked questions
What period does The Demon of Unrest cover?
The listing describes the book as covering the five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the start of the Civil War, including the crisis around Fort Sumter.
Who are the central figures in the book?
The listing highlights Lincoln, Fort Sumter commander Robert Anderson, secessionist Edmund Ruffin and Mary Boykin Chesnut.
How long is this edition?
The supplied listing gives a print length of 592 pages.
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