The Man Behind the Cane

In 1856, South Carolina Congressman Preston Brooks assaulted Senator Charles Sumner with a cane, igniting a nationwide debate over slavery and violence that contributed to the Civil War. Southern historian Paul Quigley explores how Brooks's personal background and beliefs in honor and violence shaped this pivotal event. The book examines broader issues of masculinity, free speech, and the relationship between words and violence, offering insights into the dangerous roots of political conflict both in history and today.