The clashes between President Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney over slavery, secession, and the president's constitutional war powers went to the heart of Lincoln's presidency. Legal historian Simon brings to life the passionate struggle during the worst crisis in the nation's history, the Civil War. The issues that underlaid that crisis--race, states' rights, and the president's wartime authority--resonate today in the nation's political debate.--From publisher description.

Unabridged. Compact disc.