Here's my conversation with Gary Gallagher, a leading historian of the American Civil War. We discuss the causes of the war, the economics and politics of slavery, military strategy, Lincoln, Grant, Lee, the Lost Cause, the Confederate Flag, and the history of extreme political division in our country from before the Civil War to today. It's here on X in full and is up everywhere else (see comment). Timestamps: 0:00 - Episode highlight 1:29 - Introduction 1:52 - What caused the Civil War? 11:49 - Slavery 39:23 - Lincoln 54:19 - Grant vs Lee 1:03:13 - Could the Civil War have been avoided? 1:12:39 - The bloodiest war in US history 1:29:47 - How the Confederate Army could've won 1:50:22 - Key battles of the Civil War 2:13:23 - Best and Worst Presidents 2:27:23 - Robert E. Lee 2:46:56 - The most important battle of the Civil War 2:57:07 - The final showdown of the Civil War - Grant vs Lee 3:19:26 - Lost Cause and Confederate Monuments 3:36:54 - Extreme political division in US