WSU prof Craig Miner publishes book on Bleeding Kansas

Wichita State University professor Craig Miner has added to the list of his publications with the recent release of his new book, “Seeding Civil War: Kansas in the National News, 1854-1858.”

The 304-page book was published in September by University Press of Kansas. Miner, who is the Willard Garvey Distinguished Professor of Business History at WSU, is well known for his books depicting Kansas history.

His works include “West of Wichita: Settling the High Plains of Kansas”; “Kansas: The History of the Sunflower State, 1854-2000”; and “Next Year Country: Dust to Dust in Western Kansas.”

Miner’s latest book looks in depth at the national media coverage about Bleeding Kansas during the four years following the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act.

During that time there was great interest in the volatile Kansas Territory as its inhabitants fought over whether it would enter the union as a free or slave state.

In the book, Miner argues that the actions in Kansas contributed more to the onset of the Civil War than previously thought.

“Seeding Civil War” is available for $34.95 at Watermark Books and major chains such as Border’s and Barnes & Noble. It can also be ordered through online sites such as amazon.com or kansaspress.ku.edu/.