Interesting concept - but I found several of the faux-historical inaccuracies distracting. Suppose Lincoln had decided a war to preserve the Union wasn’t worth the massive bloodshed and economic devastation and let the Southern states secede. Although I do have a bone to pick, I don't believe that Texas would go down as easy as the story leads. How could I go wrong? It wasn't Lincoln's decision alone not to "let them go". Both Confederate and Union scholars welcome.Press J to jump to the feed. (I haven’t watched the above video yet).If the south never seceded at all and they agree to get along with Lincoln, I think it’s fair to say the If the south still secedes but Lincoln simply lets them go and they live in harmony, I think they would “reconcile” and be back in the union pretty damn quickly (within 10 years maybe), the bubble would still be pricked and so slavery’s cultural-institutional dominance would shrivel up anyway, and getting rid of the slaves—maybe by exporting them and sending them all back to Africa—might even be a condition of the south rejoining the union. Suppose the American Civil War had never happened. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcutsCookies help us deliver our Services. The author obviously knew nothing about the South, either before the war, of after. Published Particularly the reference to Sherman's March to the Sea, but there were a couple others too.Harvey Ardman is a journalist and novelist with 50 years of experience, having written 22 books, both fiction and non-fiction, and dozens of documentary films for PBS and other television outlets.
By Laura Miller July 13, 2016 12:51 PM Tweet Share Comment Photo illustration by Slate. slavery was avoided through "compromises" every few decades from the Revolution until the Civil War.
I like stories about the War between the States. ::What if the Mexican American War never happened? in … So, I was eager to read yet another book based on the premise: What if the South had won the Civil War or, in this case, an intriguing variation on that them. I could maybe see Lincoln letting the Csa have a territory or two , but the buildup in Washington and the north in general over ending slavery once and for all was strong.I think full scale war could have been delayed for a few years , but it was gonna happen regardless and it was going to be because of slavery . I am a sucker for alternate history fiction. He has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in journalism from the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. I don't want this thread started by kholland to morph into another slavery back and forth. I love the thought the writer took to build his back-story on the characters. The union had been trying to ease slavery into extinction for years. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.