The Demon of Unrest: A Saga of Hubris, Heartbreak, and Heroism at the Dawn of the Civil War – Erik Larson
Erik Larson’s “The Demon of Unrest” focuses on the volatile period leading up to the American Civil War, particularly the first shots fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Through a mix of historical documents, diaries and official records, he explores the key players and simmering tensions that thrust a divided country into violent conflict.
As usual, Larson’s storytelling brings history to life in vivid detail, a rare skill in nonfiction, but here, the ambitious scope feels unwieldy — even for a pro. The concurrent narratives and numerous characters create a sprawling account, yet “Demon” lacks the cohesion and emotional depth that defined his best works.
The main characters, such as Major Robert Anderson, Edmund Ruffin, Mary Boykin Chesnut, Abraham Lincoln and William Henry Seward, ground the narrative, but Larson doesn’t give readers clear markers on who’s central versus who’s included for anecdotal richness, making it challenging to stay engaged with so many players.
While it is unsettling to see the echoes of today’s issues, this book feels like a reminder that America has faced — and survived — cultural and political upheaval before. The tension around the 1860 election even bears shades of January 6, 2021, and Larson nods to these similarities, underlining the cyclical nature of societal fractures.
Structurally, “Demon” hits its stride when it narrows its focus on the events leading to the First Battle of Fort Sumter, but this clarity doesn’t come until more than 300-pages in. The final third is the most engaging, capturing the high stakes of Lincoln’s early days in office and the tragic irony of how little either side anticipated the horrors of war.
Honestly, this just wasn’t Larson at his finest; the pacing issues and lack of cohesion weigh things down, and while it’s historically significant, the payoff doesn’t quite justify the length.
While Larson sought to explore how a divided nation edged toward fratricide, the broad scope here sacrifices emotional resonance, making this read more of a historical tome than a narrative-driven suspenseful slice of history, which is what I’ve come to expect from one of my favorite authors.
The audiobook didn’t help things either. Usually a likable actor with a voice well-suited for drama, Will Patton’s performance felt hamfisted and, at times, downright awkward. His attempts at pronouncing French and Italian names were laughable, and his forced flair to certain words and phrases was presumably intended to be endearing or evocative but instead felt amateurish and even unintelligent. His style didn’t match the seriousness of the material.
For fans of the author, there’s still much to appreciate, but this isn’t the ideal entry point for newbies. Instead seek out his best works: “The Devil in the White City,” “Isaac’s Storm” and “Dead Wake.”
Rating (story): 3/5 stars
Rating (narration): 2/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: November 1 – November 9, 2024
Multi-tasking: Honestly, I don’t recommend listening to this book. It’s a mess of names and dates, and the narration isn’t great. If you’re truly interested in the topic, a physical copy will serve you better.
