Civil War Books and Authors looks at Holding the Political Center in Illinois: Conservatism and Union on the Brink of the Civil War by Ian T. Iverson.

“Iverson’s study seeks to reshape our understanding of the meaning of conservatism and its core appeal during the late-antebellum years. More from the description: “Most politicians and voters in this period claimed to be conservative and stood opposed to radical secessionists and abolitionists. By positioning ‘conservatism’ as a disposition rather than an ideology, Ian. T. Iverson explores how mainstream politicians in the Democratic, Republican, and Know-Nothing Parties employed a shared interpretation of American liberty, history, and institutions to court voters throughout the sectional crisis.“—Civil War Books and Authors

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