"The Civil War's master historical detective" reveals how Lincoln blundered into war. Stephen Sears has called William Marvel "the Civil War's master historical detective," and in this groundbreaking book Marvel investigates the mystery of how the war began, reconsidering the big question: Was it inevitable? He vividly recreates President Lincoln's first year in office, from his inauguration through the rising crisis of secession and the first several months of the war. Drawing on original sources and examining previously overlooked factors, Marvel leads the reader inexorably to the conclusion that Lincoln not only missed opportunities to avoid war but actually fanned the flames--and often acted unconstitutionally in prosecuting the war once it had begun. The story unfolds with Marvel's keen eye for the telling detail, on the battlefield as well as in the White House. This is revisionist history at its best, as Marvel recreates the true story of our nation's greatest crisis--not sparing anyone, even Abraham Lincoln. Historian Marvel takes up a controversy that could tip a Civil War roundtable into turmoil: assigning responsibility for starting the war. His thesis is that Lincoln bears much of the blame. Why? For refusing to acquiesce, during the secession crisis of 1860-61, to compromises such as extending the Missouri Compromise line, that is, slavery itself, to the Pacific coast, and ordering Fort Sumter to be held. Within this criticism of Lincoln's principles and judgment, Marvel describes and arraigns certain of Lincoln's actions as illegal--notably, preventing the border slave states of Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri from joining the Confederacy. At this point, Lincoln recedes from Marvel's narrative and generals advance to the fore as the author chronicles the war's debut battles of Bull Run, Wilson's Creek, and Ball's Bluff. As self-proclaimed revisionism, Marvel's version of the Civil War's outbreak will spark vigorous debate. Gilbert Taylor Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved William Marvel is the author of Mr. Lincoln Goes to War, Lees Last Retreat, Andersonville, and several other acclaimed books on the Civil War. He has won a Lincoln Prize, the Douglas Southall Freeman Award, and the Bell Award. Used Book in Good Condition