New book: Congress wasn't always civil in the past, either

Bemoaning the current divisiveness of politics has become almost as cliche as talking about the weather.

But take it from a historian — our era didn’t invent partisanship. Joanne Freeman’s new book underscores that point.

The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War examines the fighting — both verbal and physical — that took place in the decades leading up to the Civil War.

Listen to Freeman speak about it below, or read the interview transcript on NPR’s website.