Customer Reviews

Gotham at War: New York City, 1860-1865 (The American Crisis Series: Books on the Civil War Era)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The ninth volume in the outstanding SR Books "The American Crisis Series", Gotham At War: New York City, 1860-1865 provides an unusual focus on the history of New York City during the Civil War era. New York's pro-Union spirit was not a unified reaction to the war: some opposed the war effort and sided with the South, and the city's poorly trained military force was offset by a strong financial backing which had a strong influence on Union successes. The analysis of economic and social influences on the outcome of the war makes for fascinating reading.

The tremendous yet perplexing role that New York City played during the Civil War has long been an unnecessarily neglected subject in the City's--and the Nation's--history. Professor Spann's book fills that void.

Because of its powerful financial ties to the South's cotton industry, as well as its immigrants' fierce mistrust of emancipation, the City was undoubtedly the 'northernmost southern city'. On the other side of the coin, New York City stood to make fortunes on the war industry, and the Republican controlled State government was going to do its best to support the Union's effort. Because of these facts, the City was doomed to tear itself apart over and again throughout the conflict: the Draft Riots of 1863 being the most famous incarnation. Professor Spann's book not only covers these crucial elements, but features many others: the power of a manipulative press, the efficient rabble-rousing on both sides of the issue, the paranoia, the race/class/ethnic tensions, etc.

So, why four stars instead of five? Purely subjective reasons. First, the book makes several references to other works in order to just shoot them down. (The air of superiority crops up too often.) Also Professor Spann makes the point, several times, that the press--and the diaries of George Templeton Strong--were strongly biased and unreliable. Yet, the author often cites these works to shore up some of his arguments. I'm sure Professor Spann has a reason to trust certain articles or entries, I only wished I had. Still, this is a great read and a fascinating history that deserves attention

For those looking for urban history and political discontent this book has it all. This covers the time in the civil war focusing mostly on the 1863 draft riots in New York City. It is a convoluted story that Professor Spann tries to sort out doing an excellent job. This was one of the first books I read on the civil war and it gives a very different perspective than you can get anywhere else. It is an enjoyable read and is a great addition to the urban history of New York City.