In this impressive and comprehensive study Manning shattered the still widespread thesis that slavery was not the ultimate cause of the American Civil War, by demonstrating that the men who fought in it, understood from day one that this conflict to the extension or abolition of slavery was fought. Manning underpinned her argument with a huge corpus of sources, she has chosen, in particular in terms of representativeness - In my view, the only way against slavery to assert to argue as causa causarum the Civil War to the present investigation, the former participants have in their overwhelming assessment that this war was the forcible solution of the decades smoldering basic social conflict slavery entirely located next to it. As long as no one can represent this thesis convincingly is Manning's examination, the wrecking ball, give all theses that attempt slavery only a minor role among the reasons for war. In addition to this performance is even more emphasized in the book that it is possible to trace changes in the Manning of soldiers on both sides settings through the chronological approach. Especially with the Union soldiers provides the most interesting results: Manning suggests that the soldiers were a catalyst for the (1861 very little spread) emancipation idea. Their suffering for and their contact with the enslaved Americans acted as multiplier in the North - a social climate generated, which made emancipation possible - in spite of all racism. This thesis has to be cross-checked by tests on the "home front", but Manning also here the merit of having fueled by sorfältige and systematic source work the scientific discussion. Finally remains to praise on the book, that the legibility has suffered despite Manning's systematic approach in any way. On the contrary: the young men that they can have their say, providing a fascinating insight into the mentality of the 19th century - sometimes incredibly strange, sometimes timeless human.
This book is a valuable addition to the research and a fascinating read for laymen.
The only restriction is to be mentioned that this is not a book for beginners. Neither event history or political background of the war are represented. Anyone looking for a quick and good overview, which is highly recommended that Beck knowledge books of Michael Hoch Gschwender (Munich 2011).
