David S. Reynolds - Mightier Than the Sword: Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Battle for America

2012 marks the 160th anniversary of the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, often called the most influential novel ever written by an American. In 1852, the novel’s vivid depiction of slavery polarized its American readership, ultimately widening the rift that led to the Civil War. Later, it was adapted into plays, films and consumer goods, cementing its lasting impact on American entertainment, advertising and race relations.