navigated the conflict's implications both domestically and internationally. The opening of the work establishes the author's aim to analyze British perspectives on the American Civil War, drawing from extensive research conducted on newspapers, journals, and correspondences from 1860 to 1865. Adams reflects on notable figures like Charles Francis Adams, the American Minister to Great Britain, and underscores contrasting evaluations of British neutrality during the war. Additionally, he hints at the evolving understanding of British policy regarding slavery and how historical relationships with America influenced contemporary British thought. The text sets the stage for a detailed exploration of both official policies and public sentiments that characterized British views of the American conflict. (This is an automatically generated summary.)