The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 1, July, 1862

"The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 1, July, 1862" by Various is a collection of writings from a mid-1800s magazine dealing with the issues of its day. The book shares essays, poems, and articles that show what people thought about the Civil War, slavery, and what the country should do. Different writers give their points of view on important topics and share creative works, revealing a picture of a nation struggling with tough problems. Early entries feature articles, including a dissection of the evolution and political ramifications of slavery, charting the shift in Southern attitudes toward the institution in recent decades. Discussions cover the growing conflict between states that allow slavery and those that don't, hinting at ideas about state power and what happens when states break away. It also includes cultural pieces, with poems and writings about how these social problems affected the country and individuals, capturing the complicated feelings and difficulties of the time.