In one chapter Ayers explores north-south conflict in other countries. Evidently most countries across the globe have experienced north-south or east-west conflicts, sometimes both. Ayers applies some interesting twists to arguments that have been around since Appomattox. If you decide to pick it up, please let me know what you think.
We part ways on the issue of no one having a right to break up the country. Washington, Jefferson, Adams et al certainly believed in the right of rebellion to establish an independent country. There's a Biblical example of secession in the Old Testament, after which The Almighty intervened to end a potential civil war. Even Abraham Lincoln acknowleged the right of secession, but only if Congress formally approved actions submitted by the individual states. Wouldn't you have loved to have heard those debates?