1861: THE CIVIL WAR AWAKENING

Adam Goodheart focuses on the start of the war and the events leading up to it. The book opens in Charleston, with fort reinforcement in the harbor. But overall it concentrates more on portraying the people and the times than on the war itself. Period trends discussed include the use of telegraph communication and the growing interest in baseball. Jonathan Davis's narration sets the scene with hints of foreboding, creating a feeling of tension about the impending war. He draws listeners into stories of people like recaptured slave Lucy Bagby and future president James Garfield. The result is a character study not just of the people discussed but of a nation. Goodheart's meticulous research and lively writing will appeal to any history buff. J.A.S. 2012 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2011]