David M. Potter's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Impending Crisis is the definitive history of antebellum America. Potter's sweeping epic masterfully charts the chaotic forces that climaxed with the outbreak of the Civil War: westward expansion, the divisive issue of slavery, the Dred Scott decision, John Brown's uprising, the ascension of Abraham Lincoln, and the drama of Southern secession. Now available in a new edition, The Impending Crisis remains one of the most celebrated works of American historical writing.
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"It is magnificent." -- --Walter Clemons, Newsweek
"The finest work of a fine historian." -- --C. Vann Woodward
"The finest work of a fine historian." -- --C. Vann Woodward
From the Back Cover
David M. Potter's Pulitzer Prize-winning The Impending Crisis is the definitive history of antebellum America. Potter's sweeping epic masterfully charts the chaotic forces that climaxed with the outbreak of the Civil War: westward expansion, the divisive issue of slavery, the Dred Scott decision, John Brown's uprising, the ascension of Abraham Lincoln, and the drama of Southern succession. Now available in a new edition, The Impending Crisis remains one of the most celebrated works of American historical writing.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
80 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
If you are a Civil War buff or a student of American history, this book is a must have. It is a must read. Potter has written the definitive look at the years leading up to the Civil War, especially the 1850s. The book starts out dealing with the Wilmot Proviso in 1848 and goes right up to the firing on Fort Sumter in 1861. In between, Potter tells us of all the economic, social, and, especially, political causes of the sectional tensions.
The most brilliant thing about Potter's book seems rather simple--he tells the story as the people who lived it saw it. Too often, as Potter himself points out, historians have dealt with the 1850s as simply a precursor to the war or dealt with the issues and somewhat glossed over them because hindsight allowed them to know what was going to happen. Potter tries to leave hindsight out of it and just present the facts as they occurred in the years 1848-1861. What the reader gets is a great view of the people and events of the time as they happened and what their direct causes were.
The many other reviewers will probably do better than I can, but simply put, if you are interested in the antebellum history, the Civil War, American politics, or just looking for a good read, pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.
The most brilliant thing about Potter's book seems rather simple--he tells the story as the people who lived it saw it. Too often, as Potter himself points out, historians have dealt with the 1850s as simply a precursor to the war or dealt with the issues and somewhat glossed over them because hindsight allowed them to know what was going to happen. Potter tries to leave hindsight out of it and just present the facts as they occurred in the years 1848-1861. What the reader gets is a great view of the people and events of the time as they happened and what their direct causes were.
The many other reviewers will probably do better than I can, but simply put, if you are interested in the antebellum history, the Civil War, American politics, or just looking for a good read, pick up this book. You won't be disappointed.
72 of 77 people found the following review helpful
By Huckster
Format:Paperback
This is a simply wonderful book. Every statement is footnoted, with references so copious it is mind-boggling. If he says Jefferson Davis had doubts secession, he will provide a footnote referencing a letter or document to back it up. Considering a topic as controversial and prone to apologia and ideological argument, it is a comfort to have the facts so well documented. I love his approach to history. Basically, he says " Here is one interpretation, and here are the facts to support it", then "Here is another, and here are the facts to support it", and if necessary, he points out his own argument, with facts to support it. The result is that even when he is making his own argument, he clearly leaves it to the reader to decide. I learned so much from this book. I have 30 pages to go, and it's one week overdue at the library, which is why I came to amazon.com: to see about buying it. I simply must own this book. Five enthusiastic stars!
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
David M Potter's book "The Impending Crisis" is magnificent in its vivid portrail of the sectional conflict in the 1850's. If you ever thought the 1850's was merely a prelude to the Civil War, this book will make you think twice. It's vivid descriptions make the 1850's come alive with unique characters and personalities, that make this book a true pleasure to read. The author's dramatic use of words makes for one of the book's greatest impact on the reader. The book is a bit long, but well worth the time and patience it takes to read it. Once you read this book, you'll never look at the 1850's in the same way again.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding history of a troubled epoch
Potter's book ranks with Foner's work on Reconstruction. Three books taken together--The Impending Crisis, The Battle Cry of Freedom, and Reconstruction--provide a thorough... Read more
Published 20 days ago by Wayne Weiss
5.0 out of 5 stars
After almost 40 years, still the best historical work on the period...
This is, indeed, history in the grand style: exhaustively researched, thoroughly footnoted (almost a forgotten art these days), meticulously organised and beautifully written by... Read more
Published 3 months ago by S. J. Buck
5.0 out of 5 stars
Essential reading for understanding the Civil War.
This is both illuminating and highly readable. If you want to understand the origins of the American Civil War, read this book.
Published 4 months ago by Booklover
4.0 out of 5 stars
Down the Slippery Slope Towards Civil War
If you have not yet read about the American Civil War, you need to start with this book because knowing what happened prior to the war, and what led to it is as important as the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by U. Marsolais
5.0 out of 5 stars
an absorbing look at a tragic national story
The story of the runup to the Civil War has been told many times, with many different points of view, and with a focus on many different elements of the evolving bitterness between... Read more
Published 10 months ago by David MacCallum
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Discourse !
"The Impending Crisis: America Before the Civil War: 1848 - 1861" by David M. Potter; completed and edited by Don E. Ferrenbacher. Read more
Published 11 months ago by 5/0
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful
Potter argues in Impending Crisis that both prior to, and during, the time period his book covers, the Union had problems with sectionalism and argued that, "the North-South... Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lawrence Ore
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must Read for any interested in the Civilwar
Easily the best narrative of the times leading up to the civil war. Of all the causes, Potter singles out slavery as the catalyst and the issue most divisive. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mikael Kjellstrom
4.0 out of 5 stars
5 stars on content, 3 on readability, ...still a great book!
The "Impending Crisis" is a terrific book about the political crisis that led to the Civil War beginning with the conclusion of Mexican-American War and ending at Fort Sumter. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Bryn C. Dunham
4.0 out of 5 stars
INCOMING DOOM
David Potter died before this book was published so all the success and praise, including a Pulitzer Prize, could only be received posthumously. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Jeremy A. Perron
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 235
books:
See all 235 books this book cites
- Lincoln, the President:: Last Full Measure (v. 4) by J. G. Randall on 13 pages
- President James Buchanan: A Biography by Philip S. Klein on 10 pages
- Collected Works: 1832-65 Suppt (Contributions in American Studies) by Abraham Lincoln on 10 pages
- Ordeal of the Union Vol.1: Fruits of Manifest Destiny 1847-1852 : A House Dividing 1852-1857 by Allan Nevins on 9 pages
- The Emergence of Lincoln, Vol. 1: Douglas, Buchanan, and Party Chaos, 1857-1859 by Allan Nevins on 9 pages
See all 235 books this book cites
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