The Impending Crisis

America Before the Civil War: 1848-1861

By: David M. Potter, Don E. Fehrenbacher

Narrated by: Eric Martin

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. The Impending Crisis remains one of the most celebrated works of American historical writing.

©1976 Estate of David M. Potter (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"David M. Potter's magisterial The Impending Crisis is the single best account to date of the coming of the Civil War." ( Civil War History)

The Best Pre-Civil War Political History Yet

The single best POLITICAL history of the run-up to the Civil War I have yet read. If you're coming to this expecting a general history this isn't for you; but the political aspect of it all makes it a worthwhile read...

the best book on this period, still

written many years ago, but it is stil by far the best on the subject

Excellent but kept wanting footnotes and sources

A very thorough look at the period but there were many times when the writer doesn't indicate where the information came from and I would have appreciated clarification on that. Perhaps things are footnotes in the hard copies. I prefer to know when reading history whether it is fact based or just an assumption or conjecture by the author. I did enjoy it and will continue reading about the history of the Civil War and hopefully my questions about certain points will be answered.

Excellent Book

I found this narrative history of antebellum America well written, well narrated, and we'll researched. There may be one or two places where I disagreed with the author's interpretation of the themes, events, causes, and consequences but I found his treatment of the history of the period solid. And the prose and narration were perfectly suited to each other.

Absolutely best written book on civil war causes!

For American history devotees, this is a must read. A worthy Pulitzer winner. Should be required reading in all US history classes. Fascinating how many themes and American politicians were included in this narrative. Very ably narrated.