DAYS OF DEFIANCE Sumter, Secession, and the Coming of the Civil War

This well-written account of the Secession Crisis of 1860-61 and the subsequent firing on Fort Sumter, which began the Civil War, presents many interesting and relatively unknown aspects of the people involved and the sections of the country in which they lived. Some Southerners may find that the author overemphasizes slavery as the cause of the crisis. Nevertheless, this is a fascinating account and one that John Edwardson does a fine job narrating. His baritone voice is steady throughout this long work, and his deliberate delivery is clear and understandable. Quotes are performed using the same voice, which is quite suitable for this work. M.T.F. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 02]