Though this isn't the nail-biter some of the reviews make this one out to be, I learned a lot. What I like most about Larson's non-fiction, aside from its readability, is its fair presentation of many perspectives. It was nice seeing all the participants as full people. There aren't just good guys and bad guys; some people are very conflicted, and like with Benedict Arnold, many of their questionable choice come from a very human place.

It was interesting seeing all the little misunderstandings that led to the Civil War, and the big personalities. I didn't know much about Buchanan, and as a Pennsylvanian, I apologize.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I shared profusely as usual.

The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War by Erik Larson is a historic nonfiction about what happened in the five months between Abraham Lincolns' election and the start of the Civil War. Civil War history is generally not something I'm interested in but Erik Larson makes history very readable. I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Erik Larson or are interested in the history of the Civil War.

As someone who sticks with mainly fiction and horror at that Erik Larson’s books always fascinate me and this one was no different. His amazing attention to details and staggering research makes reading about the civil war and its real life horrors something you devour. I will never not read a book by this author. Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this arc. 5⭐️

Erik Larson never misses for me - his books are so intricately detailed and researched. This one for me was about a subject I don't know too much about - the early days of the Civil War. I found it so poignant how many parallels there are between this subject matter and today, and Larson's coverage of this was quite timely. The primary sources - diaries, letters, etc. and the amount of detail included as a result was not boring, but rather gave color and shape to a time that for many can feel black and white and unrelatable. I plan to give this to my father for Christmas!

Interesting section of history for Larson to choose, as always. But I find American history just a little less interesting than some of the stuff he's done previously. His narrative voice is still second to none.

I make it a point to read Larson's books and am rarely left disappointed. This is no exception (although his comparison of the startup of the Civil War to Jan.6, 2021, is an overstatement to say the least). I appreciated his research, as always, to the intricacies of this time leading up to the first shot fired at Fort Sumter. We learn more of Lincoln's beginnings in his race and election, as well as specific accounts (Mary Chesnut's diary, for one) of life in Charleston at the time. I found those personal details most interesting as I read about prominent and lesser-known figures as they anticipated (whether excitedly or with dread) the start of this conflict.
Larson's narrative nonfiction style is what keeps me, as a typically fiction reader, coming back. As always I look forward to his next offering.

Erik Larson writes do vividly and so captivatingly. I couldn’t look away and was totally swept up. Really enjoyed this read

Another winner for Erik Larson. He has a talent for sharing stories from history in a way that is both enjoyable to read and easy to understand.

Of course I learned in school that the Civil War began when the South fired on Fort Sumter. But that was it. It just happened out of the blue. I was never told, and I had never stopped to think about what lead up to it.

Wow, to the hubris. Edmund Ruffin - Given the "honor" of firing the first shot on Fort Sumter after many of years of stirring people up against the north and pushing his peers toward secession. The more I learned about this man, the more I was astounded by his gall in all facets of his life. Incredible! Mary Chestnut, what a malicious, self-center, shallow, little... On the northern side, Seward was certainly less mean-spirited, but not less conniving and certainly taken with himself.

Wow, to the heartache. If Lincoln had known the drama, the vise of tension, the ploys hiding ploys that he was walking into the first day in office, would he have run for office?

Wow, to the heroism. - Major Robert Anderson. His ordeal was incredible, staggering. How did he stand for as long as he did?

Erik Larson has made an incredible contribution to our accessible history with his meticulously researched volume. He brings key players to life and helps us understand the atmosphere of the period and how this tragedy for our nation unfolded. Let's not let hubris carry us into more devastation.

I gave Devil In The White City 4 stars, so I was excited to receive an arc of The Demon Of Unrest, however, this one wasn't for me. I found it dry, however the author obviously did a lot of research. I have a minor in history - so on paper this should have been up my alley. There were too many names and dates to remember. It felt like a really long lecture. Hoping his next book will be more exciting. Some patrons have told me they liked the historical parts the best and like learning about the Civil War, so that's who I would recommend this.

I have almost obsessively tried to read and finish this book, but I am DNFing at 15% after I really just cannot finish it. I love Erik Larson books and was very excited to read this, but this book reads differently--maybe because of its subject matter-- than his other books.

Erik Larson’s “The Demon of Unrest” brings to life the time just before the start of the Civil War. This is not only a great historical book, but a book that is also timely in today’s times as we might be closer than we have ever been to possible civil war than we were since 1860. Larson’s books are so great in that they contain so many details, but are readable and accessible to the casual reader. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the Civil War, American History, or perhaps current history as there are many similarities.

5+++ stars!

As always Erik Larson has written a comprehensive and extremely well-researched story of the tensions and unrest that led us into the Civil War. This is one of those books that just pulls you right in. Larson has this amazing talent for making history feel like a grand adventure novel. Instead of just dumping a bunch of dates and events on you, he dives deep into the minds of the people who lived through these moments. It’s like you’re right there with them, experiencing everything firsthand.

Once again Larson does it again. The research was phenomenal. Fort Sumter, Lincoln and the civil war what a trifecta.

This book was classic Larson. So well researched and lots of little known tidbits about the start of the Civil War and Lincoln. I will read anything Larson writes and this one did not disappoint.

Erik Larson, as always, has written non-fiction that reads like fiction.
This historical rendition of Lincoln's election and the beginnings of the Civil War are so well written. His descriptions of what transpired between the numerous divergent personalities that set the stage for the horror of a divided nation are so impressive.
Larson is a distinctive storyteller. Straight and factual history becomes an absorbing tale. His accounting of President Lincoln and his travails made him emerge alive from the pages. It was a bit disconcerting to see present day history reflected in his writing.
First-rate writing as always!

As always Larson has produced a well researched, readable work of nonfiction. A go to author! I will recommend thus book to all my patrons who love history.

I will start by saying this author is a heck of a researcher. 5 stars for that; but..... dude! 500+ pages of Fort Sumter? First they tried to starve them out, then shoot them out, and finally they just set fire to the whole thing and....done. Also Lincoln at the edge of the Civil War....wanted to hear more about freeing slaves but had to keep reading about the fort. Just not for me.

Superlative! Erik Larson takes something we all know - the Civil War started with the firing upon Fort Sumter by Confederate forces - and makes us think about WHY that was, about the many events and decisions large and small leading up to that. Moreover, Erik Larson demonstrates why history isn't about facts and dates but about PEOPLE, sometimes heroic, sometimes villainous, but always HUMAN, in all our complexity and contradictions. Lastly, while there was perhaps a certain inevitability to the Civil War, including the outbreak of hostilities at Fort Sumter, the reality is that there are MANY roads that could have been taken, and Larson is great at making us think about all the ways history could have gone instead of how it did. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I rarely rate books with a five star, but, Erik Larson has written another marvelous book! He is such a storyteller even if it’s nonfiction! His research is amazing and I always learn something new! This book about the loss of Fort Sumter and the beginning of the Civil War is a captivating read! The personal accounts of the key players supplement the story! I am proud to add this Erik Larson’s new book to my collection!