Book Report
“Apostles of Disunion” by. Charles B. Dew
Ever since the birth of our country, Americans have always been divided on the issue of slavery. Initially the debate was over whether or not slavery was moral or a constitutional right, however following the Civil War the debated shifted. Now Americans argue over whether or not the Civil War was fought over slavery or the limiting of rights held by the Southerners. Charles B. Dew, professor of American history at Williams College, further adds to this heated debate with his book “Apostles of Disunion”. Dew introduces his book by discussing how the argument over what the Civil War was fought over truly still haunts the present day, but takes nearly twenty pages before introducing his …show more content…
First, let me look at why Dew likely decided to write and publish this book. “The Apostles of Disunion” was originally published in 2001, when there were becoming more and more heated debates over issues such as the use of the confederate flag and the continued existence statues of confederate figures in the South. These issues were not lightly debated, but instead were hot topics on the national scale. Additionally, both historical scholars and every-day Americans have been locked in a debate over what the real cause of the Civil War was since its end. Dew’s purpose in writing this book was to put an end to this debate and give historical evidence that slavery was the South’s reason for succession and the start of the Civil War. However, Dew’s audience is likely not the general American public, for that is too vague of an audience and it would be nearly impossible for his book to have that wide a reach. It is more likely that Dew wrote this book for historical scholars, teachers of American history, and students, like me, who are all much more likely to read this book. The proof of his audience is evident in how he discusses and describes the events in the South leading to the Civil War. He does not inject his own opinion into his book, but instead takes an impartial stance letting the quotes and the historical evidence speak for itself. All of this points back to an informed and educated audience, caught up in a heated debate over our nation’s
“Apostles of Disunion” by. Charles B. Dew
Ever since the birth of our country, Americans have always been divided on the issue of slavery. Initially the debate was over whether or not slavery was moral or a constitutional right, however following the Civil War the debated shifted. Now Americans argue over whether or not the Civil War was fought over slavery or the limiting of rights held by the Southerners. Charles B. Dew, professor of American history at Williams College, further adds to this heated debate with his book “Apostles of Disunion”. Dew introduces his book by discussing how the argument over what the Civil War was fought over truly still haunts the present day, but takes nearly twenty pages before introducing his …show more content…
First, let me look at why Dew likely decided to write and publish this book. “The Apostles of Disunion” was originally published in 2001, when there were becoming more and more heated debates over issues such as the use of the confederate flag and the continued existence statues of confederate figures in the South. These issues were not lightly debated, but instead were hot topics on the national scale. Additionally, both historical scholars and every-day Americans have been locked in a debate over what the real cause of the Civil War was since its end. Dew’s purpose in writing this book was to put an end to this debate and give historical evidence that slavery was the South’s reason for succession and the start of the Civil War. However, Dew’s audience is likely not the general American public, for that is too vague of an audience and it would be nearly impossible for his book to have that wide a reach. It is more likely that Dew wrote this book for historical scholars, teachers of American history, and students, like me, who are all much more likely to read this book. The proof of his audience is evident in how he discusses and describes the events in the South leading to the Civil War. He does not inject his own opinion into his book, but instead takes an impartial stance letting the quotes and the historical evidence speak for itself. All of this points back to an informed and educated audience, caught up in a heated debate over our nation’s