2015 Update now available with NEW preface: 'The Hinges of History'The Missouri-Kansas state line is the most consequential border in American history:
- Here was where the Civil War began -- don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
- Here was where legends were made before (John Brown), during (William Clarke Quantrill), and after the war (Jesse James).
- Here was where African American regiments first saw combat, even as Washington was debating the value of black soldiers.
Here you can visit the school that set off the civil rights movement ... walk the country's last great stretch of prairie ... and tour the house where a girl named Amelia learned she could do anything.
Just some of the reasons why the Missouri-Kansas Border Region has become one of the country's premier destinations for history travel.
Diane and Aaron will show you to the sites that matter and help you make the most of your visit. Trip planning is easy with this guide, which is packed with themed driving tours, kid-friendly sites, and tips from two experienced history travelers.
Take a ride on The Big Divide!
"Recommended ... American history lovers will appreciate this well-illustrated, well-ordered guide." --Booklist (April 1, 2013)
"Long before the cannons roared at Fort Sumter, Americans were at war over slavery along the border dividing Missouri and Kansas. This neglected first act of the Civil War comes to life in The Big Divide. Brilliantly organized, vividly written, this wonderful travel guide lets you discover vital and dramatic history for yourself, in the matchless company of Diane Eickhoff and Aaron Barnhart. Get ready for a fascinating journey." -- David Von Drehle, author of Rise to Greatness: Abraham Lincoln and America's Most Perilous Year
Diane Eickhoff is a historian, author, and speaker specializing in the hidden history of America and the unsung women and men who worked to make this a better country. Diane's first book was "Revolutionary Heart: The Life of Clarina Nichols and the Pioneering Crusade for Women's Rights." It was honored with a Willa Cather Award and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year in biography, and was named a Kansas Notable Book for 2007. She lives with her husband and co-author, Aaron Barnhart, in Kansas City, two blocks from the Missouri state line.Aaron Barnhart was the television and media critic for the Kansas City Star before joining his wife, Diane Eickhoff, in the history business. He has contributed to the New York Times, Village Voice, CNN's Reliable Sources, MSNBC's Hardball, CBS Radio, and NPR.
