"The Impending Crisis: America Before the Civil War, 1848-1861" by David M. Potter is a comprehensive historical study of the United States in the mid-19th century, focusing on the events leading up to the Civil War. This trade paperback book, first published by HarperCollins in 1977, offers a detailed narrative of the looming crisis and its impact on the nation. With 672 pages, this nonfiction novel is aimed at an adult audience and presents a thorough examination of the social, political, and economic factors that shaped America during this turbulent period in history.