Half Slave and Half Free: The Roots of Civil War (1992)

Levine's book Half Slave and Half Free is a look at the country as it began to unravel and eventually pulled apart. United no longer, the southern states form the Confederacy after their seccession from the Union, and the Civil War began. What caused the war of brother against brother? Even today, people still argue and debate what the real issues were. Levine's thesis is that the Civil War began because of slavery. There was no other reason for southern seccession but to fight to defend the institution of slavery. Their economy depended on slavery to survive and prosper. Levine discusses how far apart and how different, the south and north really had become. The north had grown economically, and with the increased immigration from Europe they had a large paid labor force available. Industry moved the economy in the north and nearly everyone enjoyed the liberty and freedom of owning land. The south still relied on bonded labor, with only a small percentage of the population having the greatest wealth and large land holdings. Most southerners had smaller farms with just a few slaves. Levine's book is well organized and he clearly defines the northern and southern positions and how they could not remain united as one nation with such opposing views over slavery. Was the Civil War necessary to end slavery? This is one question Levine will answer. Half Slave and Half Free was well researched and he showed methodical support for his thesis. An interesting American history book for anyone interested in delving deeper into the causes of the Civil War. ( )