Mike R. reviewed The Devil's Own Work: The Civil War Draft Riots and the Fight to Reconstruct America on + 14 more book reviews
Well researched account of the July 1863 NewYork City riot, considered the worst urban riot in American history. Generated by the Federal Govt's decision to institute a military draft after 2 years of bloody war, fanned by labor and class discontent, primarily among exploited Irish immigrants, and finally ignited by political agitators, the riots caused an estimated 800 deaths and millions in property damage. Tragically, the most deaths occurred among innocent free Negros tryinng to establish themselves as a middle class in New York City.
