Exploring Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War

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This chapter delves into the turbulent period between Abraham Lincoln's election and the Battle of Fort Sumter, highlighting themes of hubris, heartbreak, and heroism during the Civil War. There's a focus on depicting past tragedies foreshadowing present dangers and reflecting on the impact of the author's previous book on solace during the pandemic lockdown.

Erik Larson is probably the most successful popular historian working today. His books, which include “The Devil in the White City” and “The Splendid and the Vile,” have sold a staggering 12 million copies. His latest, “The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War,” debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestsellers list this week. It’s a gripping account of the five months between Abraham Lincoln’s election and the outbreak of the Civil War — a 163-year-old chapter in our history that Erik says is alarmingly relevant.

Host: Caleb Bissinger

Guest: Erik Larson

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