Armies of Deliverance

A New History of the Civil War

By: Elizabeth R. Varon

Narrated by: Paul Woodson

Loyal Americans marched off to war in 1861 not to conquer the South but to liberate it. So argues Elizabeth R. Varon in Armies of Deliverance, a sweeping narrative of the Civil War and a bold new interpretation of Union and Confederate war aims.

Northerners imagined the war as a crusade to deliver the Southern masses from slaveholder domination and to bring democracy, prosperity, and education to the region. As the war escalated, Lincoln and his allies built the case that emancipation would secure military victory and benefit the North and South alike. The theme of deliverance was essential in mobilizing a Unionist coalition of Northerners and anti-Confederate Southerners.

Confederates, fighting to establish an independent slaveholding republic, were determined to preempt, discredit, and silence Yankee appeals to the Southern masses. In their quest for political unity Confederates relentlessly played up two themes: Northern barbarity and Southern victimization. Casting the Union army as ruthless conquerors, Confederates argued that the emancipation of blacks was synonymous with the subjugation of the white South.

©2019 Oxford University Press (P)2019 Tantor

A clear, comprehensive narrative unlike any other

Historians of the Civil War often get sidetracked by martial romanticization. Not Varon. She blends social, political, and military history into one, well researched book that leaves no stone of the war unturned.

First rate history

Superb narrative, bringing to life voices from every side of the debate. Kudos to Elizabeth Varon.

Lots of details, tough to get to a conclusion

Enjoyed it, good perspective and history. Never really reaches conclusions. Could be structured better with concise conclusions.