First published in 1866, this book offers a trenchant critique of the conduct of the Civil War and its aftermath, from the perspective of a committed abolitionist. Mahan takes to task the political and military leaders of the North and South alike, and argues that the struggle was ultimately won by the moral force of the Union cause. Although controversial in its day, his argument still resonates with contemporary debates about the meaning and legacy of the Civil War. A must-read for anyone interested in the politics and culture of this pivotal period in American history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.