Reviews
"The argument that the Civil War was caused by economic interests goes back at least as far as the work of Charles and Mary Beard a century ago. Egnal deftly revives the debate, claiming that the rise of the Great Lakes economy strengthened the bonds between the states of the North. For the South, soil depletion made expansion necessary and secession a ''rational act.'' Egnal writes carefully and without dogmatism." -- Elsa Dixler, New York Times "Egnal''s scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War." -- Herbert White, History in Review "Marc Egnal offers both a correction and a challenge to historians of the Civil war in this important new interpretation . . . Egnal skillfully recounts how people made choices, how they changed, how they understood themselves and their world." -- A. James Fuller, Civil War Book Review " Clash of Extremes is a well documented and skillfully developed advancement of the idea that rapidly changing and competing economic realities comprised the primary driving forces behind the movement toward secession and ultimately Civil War . . . Egnal''s dispassionate scholarship is a welcome breath of fresh air in an economic discussion all too often characterized by its absence. His accessible study is an award worthy effort that is highly recommended." -- Civil War Books and Authors (cwba.blogspot.com) "The author does not neglect the sins of the South, real and alleged, but his most original contribution is his description of a truly critical new development of the late antebellum period, which he calls ''the Lake Economy.'' " -- Clyde Wilson, Chronicles "Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events." -- David Luhrssen, Express Milwaukee "Best overall Civil War history 2009." -- Civil War Memory (cwmemory.com) "A contentious examination of how mid-century economic shifts powered secession." -- American History "Sure to provoke discussion." -- Kirkus Reviews "An illuminating contribution to our understanding of the Civil War''s causes." -- Publishers Weekly "A serious work that may well reignite a historical debate." -- Jay Freeman, Booklist "Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship, Clash of Extremes promises to be the most talke about book in years on the origins of the Civil War." -- Daniel W. Crofts, The College of New Jersey "In lively and accessible prose, Egnal has succeeded in bringing back economics as a core factor in the coming of the Civil War. Readers are in for a delightful surprise as they explore his engaging analysis of how diverging economies produced conditions that led to secession." -- William L. Barney, author of The Making of a Confederate "Marc Egnal''s vigorous and original argument will inject new energy into the perpetually fascinating conversation about the meaning of the American Civil War." -- Edward L. Ayers, author of In the Presence of Mine Enemies, winner of the Bancroft Prize "A most welcome addition to the literature on Civil War causation. It is sure to spark healthy debate about the war''s origins." -- Michael F. Holt, author of The Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of the Civil War, A most welcome addition to the literature on Civil War causation. It is sure to spark healthy debate about the war's origins., Marc Egnal offers both a correction and a challenge to historians of the Civil war in this important new interpretation . . . Egnal skillfully recounts how people made choices, how they changed, how they understood themselves and their world., Clash of Extremes is a well documented and skillfully developed advancement of the idea that rapidly changing and competing economic realities comprised the primary driving forces behind the movement toward secession and ultimately Civil War . . . Egnal's dispassionate scholarship is a welcome breath of fresh air in an economic discussion all too often characterized by its absence. His accessible study is an award worthy effort that is highly recommended., In lively and accessible prose, Egnal has succeeded in bringing back economics as a core factor in the coming of the Civil War. Readers are in for a delightful surprise as they explore his engaging analysis of how diverging economies produced conditions that led to secession., Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship, Clash of Extremes promises to be the most talke about book in years on the origins of the Civil War., The author does not neglect the sins of the South, real and alleged, but his most original contribution is his description of a truly critical new development of the late antebellum period, which he calls 'the Lake Economy.', Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events., The argument that the Civil War was caused by economic interests goes back at least as far as the work of Charles and Mary Beard a century ago. Egnal deftly revives the debate, claiming that the rise of the Great Lakes economy strengthened the bonds between the states of the North. For the South, soil depletion made expansion necessary and secession a 'rational act.' Egnal writes carefully and without dogmatism., Egnal's scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War., "The argument that the Civil War was caused by economic interests goes back at least as far as the work of Charles and Mary Beard a century ago. Egnal deftly revives the debate, claiming that the rise of the Great Lakes economy strengthened the bonds between the states of the North. For the South, soil depletion made expansion necessary and secession a 'rational act.' Egnal writes carefully and without dogmatism." Elsa Dixler, New York Times "Egnal's scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War." Herbert White, History in Review "Marc Egnal offers both a correction and a challenge to historians of the Civil war in this important new interpretation . . . Egnal skillfully recounts how people made choices, how they changed, how they understood themselves and their world." A. James Fuller, Civil War Book Review " Clash of Extremes is a well documented and skillfully developed advancement of the idea that rapidly changing and competing economic realities comprised the primary driving forces behind the movement toward secession and ultimately Civil War . . . Egnal''s dispassionate scholarship is a welcome breath of fresh air in an economic discussion all too often characterized by its absence. His accessible study is an award worthy effort that is highly recommended." Civil War Books and Authors (cwba.blogspot.com) "The author does not neglect the sins of the South, real and alleged, but his most original contribution is his description of a truly critical new development of the late antebellum period, which he calls 'the Lake Economy.' " Clyde Wilson, Chronicles "Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events." David Luhrssen, Express Milwaukee "Best overall Civil War history 2009." Civil War Memory (cwmemory.com) "A contentious examination of how mid-century economic shifts powered secession." American History "Sure to provoke discussion." Kirkus Reviews "An illuminating contribution to our understanding of the Civil War's causes." Publishers Weekly "A serious work that may well reignite a historical debate." Jay Freeman, Booklist "Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship, Clash of Extremes promises to be the most talke about book in years on the origins of the Civil War." Daniel W. Crofts, The College of New Jersey "In lively and accessible prose, Egnal has succeeded in bringing back economics as a core factor in the coming of the Civil War. Readers are in for a delightful surprise as they explore his engaging analysis of how diverging economies produced conditions that led to secession." William L. Barney, author of The Making of a Confederate "Marc Egnal's vigorous and original argument will inject new energy into the perpetually fascinating conversation about the meaning of the American Civil War." Edward L. Ayers, author of In the Presence of Mine Enemies , winner of the Bancroft Prize "A most welcome addition to the literature on Civil War causation. It is sure to spark healthy debate about the war's origins." Michael F. Holt, author of The Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of the Civil War, "The argument that the Civil War was caused by economic interests goes back at least as far as the work of Charles and Mary Beard a century ago. Egnal deftly revives the debate, claiming that the rise of the Great Lakes economy strengthened the bonds between the states of the North. For the South, soil depletion made expansion necessary and secession a 'rational act.' Egnal writes carefully and without dogmatism." -Elsa Dixler,New YorkTimes "Egnal's scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War." -Herbert White,History in Review "Marc Egnal offers both a correction and a challenge to historians of the Civil war in this important new interpretation . . . Egnal skillfully recounts how people made choices, how they changed, how they understood themselves and their world." -A. James Fuller,Civil War Book Review "Clash of Extremesis a well documented and skillfully developed advancement of the idea that rapidly changing and competing economic realities comprised the primary driving forces behind the movement toward secession and ultimately Civil War . . . Egnal's dispassionate scholarship is a welcome breath of fresh air in an economic discussion all too often characterized by its absence. His accessible study is an award worthy effort that is highly recommended." -Civil War Books and Authors (cwba.blogspot.com) "The author does not neglect the sins of the South, real and alleged, but his most original contribution is his description of a truly critical new development of the late antebellum period, which he calls 'the Lake Economy.' " -Clyde Wilson,Chronicles "Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events." -David Luhrssen,Express Milwaukee "Best overall Civil War history 2009." -Civil War Memory (cwmemory.com) "A contentious examination of how mid-century economic shifts powered secession." -American History "Sure to provoke discussion." -Kirkus Reviews "An illuminating contribution to our understanding of the Civil War's causes." -Publishers Weekly "A serious work that may well reignite a historical debate." -Jay Freeman,Booklist "Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship,Clash of Extremespromises to be the most talke about book in years on the origins of the Civil War." -Daniel W. Crofts, The College, "Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship,Clash of Extremespromises to be the most talked-about book in years on the origins of the Civil War." -Daniel W. Crofts, The College of New Jersey "Egnal's scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War." -Herbert White,History in Review "A contentious examination of how mid-century economic shifts powered secession." -American History "Sure to provoke discussion." -Kirkus Reviews "An illuminating contribution to our understanding of the Civil War's causes." -Publishers Weekly "A serious work that may well reignite a historical debate." -Jay Freeman,Booklist "Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events." -David Luhrssen,Express Milwaukee "In lively and accessible prose, Egnal has succeeded in bringing back economics as a core factor in the coming of the Civil War. Readers are in for a delightful surprise as they explore his engaging analysis of how diverging economies produced conditions that led to secession." -William L. Barney, author ofThe Making of a Confederate "Marc Egnal's vigorous and original argument will inject new energy into the perpetually fascinating conversation about the meaning of the American Civil War." -Edward L. Ayers, author ofIn the Presence of Mine Enemies, winner of the Bancroft Prize "A most welcome addition to the literature on Civil War causation. It is sure to spark healthy debate about the war's origins." -Michael F. Holt, author ofThe Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of the Civil War, "The argument that the Civil War was caused by economic interests goes back at least as far as the work of Charles and Mary Beard a century ago. Egnal deftly revives the debate, claiming that the rise of the Great Lakes economy strengthened the bonds between the states of the North. For the South, soil depletion made expansion necessary and secession a 'rational act.' Egnal writes carefully and without dogmatism." -Elsa Dixler, New York Times "Egnal's scholarship and detailed analysis of the data makes it hard to argue with the notion that the war, at least initially, was driven in large measure by economic factors . . . Essential reading for anyone with a serious interest in the American Civil War." -Herbert White, History in Review "Marc Egnal offers both a correction and a challenge to historians of the Civil war in this important new interpretation . . . Egnal skillfully recounts how people made choices, how they changed, how they understood themselves and their world." -A. James Fuller, Civil War Book Review " Clash of Extremes is a well documented and skillfully developed advancement of the idea that rapidly changing and competing economic realities comprised the primary driving forces behind the movement toward secession and ultimately Civil War . . . Egnal''s dispassionate scholarship is a welcome breath of fresh air in an economic discussion all too often characterized by its absence. His accessible study is an award worthy effort that is highly recommended." -Civil War Books and Authors (cwba.blogspot.com) "The author does not neglect the sins of the South, real and alleged, but his most original contribution is his description of a truly critical new development of the late antebellum period, which he calls 'the Lake Economy.' " -Clyde Wilson, Chronicles "Marc Egnal challenges the popular view that the war was primarily about slavery. Egnal looks instead to economic factors, pointing out that most Northerners were racists who favored only the gradual extinction of slavery and that the early Republican Party, despite whatever idealism it upheld, was also interested in increasing the strength of Northern industry and commerce. Slavery, of course, was important in all this, but not until the war was well under way did the abolition of slavery gain traction either as public policy or rallying cry. Refreshingly, Egnal emphasizes the influence of individuals as well as social forces in the course of human events." -David Luhrssen, Express Milwaukee "Best overall Civil War history 2009." -Civil War Memory (cwmemory.com) "A contentious examination of how mid-century economic shifts powered secession." - American History "Sure to provoke discussion." - Kirkus Reviews "An illuminating contribution to our understanding of the Civil War's causes." - Publishers Weekly "A serious work that may well reignite a historical debate." -Jay Freeman, Booklist "Challenging a great deal of modern scholarship, Clash of Extremes promises to be the most talke about book in years on the origins of the Civil War." -Daniel W. Crofts, The College of New Jersey "In lively and accessible prose, Egnal has succeeded in bringing back economics as a core factor in the coming of the Civil War. Readers are in for a delightful surprise as they explore his engaging analysis of how diverging economies produced conditions that led to secession." -William L. Barney, author of The Making of a Confederate "Marc Egnal's vigorous and original argument will inject new energy into the perpetually fascinating conversation about the meaning of the American Civil War." -Edward L. Ayers, author of In the Presence of Mine Enemies , winner of the Bancroft Prize "A most welcome addition to the literature on Civil War causation. It is sure to spark healthy debate about the war's origins." -Michael F. Holt, author of The Fate of Their Country: Politicians, Slavery Extension, and the Coming of the Civil War, Marc Egnal's vigorous and original argument will inject new energy into the perpetually fascinating conversation about the meaning of the American Civil War.
