A thrilling, page-turning piece of writing that describes the forces conspiring to tear apart the United States--with the disintegrating political processes and rising tempers finally erupting at bull run. ".a major work...A thrilling, page-turning piece of writing that describes the forces conspiring to tear apart the United States--with the disintegrating political processes and rising tempers finally erupting at bull run. ".a major work by a major writer, a superb re-creation of the twelve crucial months that opened the civil war."--the New York times.