In which we take a look back to see why slavery was such a thorny issue and how it played a major role in shaping & defining the early American political landscape.

We have two book recommendations for this episode. The first is What Hath God Wrought: The Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by Daniel Walker Howe.  This hefty tome won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in History, but it’s probably more for the serious-minded student of history, so…

For those of you not wishing to jump right into the deep end of the pool, we’re also recommending another Pulitzer Prize-winning history book.  It’s Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era by James McPherson.  This book provides a comprehensive narrative of the period, but is a bit more accessible to the general reader.

Listen to Episode 2: SlaveryAndPolitics