The book delves into the complex reasons behind the secession of eleven slave states from the Union during 1860-61, exploring the motivations rooted in the institution of slavery and states' rights. It examines the contrasting perspectives of the eighteen free states that opposed secession, highlighting their belief in the Union's permanence and the measures taken, especially after the attack on Fort Sumter, to quell what was viewed as a treasonous uprising against the federal government.
