In the twenty-first century, with countless television channels, internet sites and other forms of technology helping ensure that the latest news and information are always within our grasp, the importance of newspapers has been rather undermined. In a society where instant results are increasingly demanded, newspapers seem to have been superseded, increasingly out of touch with the desires of their readers.

Such a situation is in stark contrast to that of the American Civil War, as Andrew Coopersmith convincingly shows in his excellent new work. With a populace hungry for news of the rapidly changing conflict, newspapers took on a vital importance. At the start of the Civil War there were over 3,700 newspapers in publication within America, with the dailies having a combined circulation of 1.4 million. As Coopersmith argues, this ensures that if we want to view events as the people of that time did, we have to look at the newspapers that they read.

To support his argument Coopersmith has drawn together a large variety of newspapers from both ends of the political spectrum, spanning north to south. From the frenzied editorials of southern papers during the secession crisis to long-running ebates over the emancipation of slaves, all the major issues of the war are brought vividly to life. Featuring extracts from over 80 newspapers from 18 states, the author’s extensive research is immediately apparent.

That the book succeeds so well is testament to Coopersmith’s well chosen newspaper extracts and the effective historical analysis through which he provides context for the issues. Particularly effective is the author’s discussion of emancipation, highlighting how discussion on the issue evolved and was often shaped by the political, geographical or ethnic position of newspapers and their editorsIn contrast to the crowded columns of Civil War newspapers, the production of this book impresses, well laid out text interspersed with effective reproductions of period illustrations. A fascinating glimpse into contemporary reports of the Civil War, Fighting Words is highly recommended for every scholar of the Civil War. Readers will be left in no doubt as to the power of the press, a significant combatant on both the home and military front.