Conflict and Transformation: The United States, 1844-1877 - William R. Brock

Spanning one of the most turbulent periods in American history, Conflict and Transformation follows the United States through territorial expansion, political division, civil war and the difficult years of Reconstruction. William R. Brock examines how a rapidly growing nation was pushed to the brink by disputes over slavery, states' rights and economic change, before emerging profoundly altered by the conflict that defined its future.

Rather than focusing solely on battlefield events, Brock explores the political, social and economic forces that drove this era of extraordinary upheaval. Written with clarity and balance, this volume from The Pelican History of the United States offers an engaging account of how the Civil War reshaped American society, making it an excellent introduction for readers interested in the people, ideas and events that forged the modern United States.