Our Man in Charleston: Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South | 
pickIn the run up to the Civil War, Robert Bunch was named the British Consul to Charleston, South Carolina. Unassuming & agreeable on the surface, Bunch actually spent his tenure actively working against the interests of the "fire-eaters," the pro-secession elements who treated slavery as their birthright & sought a potential resumption of the African slave trade & British recognition of the Confederacy. An intriguing glimpse of antebellum diplomacy.
so-soThe subtitle annoys me enough that I can‘t help but knock this book down a notch; there was nothing secret about Robert Bunch‘s mission. Sure, Southerners were largely unaware of his efforts to communicate the horrors of slavery and the slave trade to London. But he was no spy or secret agent. Overall, Bunch‘s correspondence with London makes for an interesting and important read.
My daughter is in her 3 hour dance class so I get to hangout at the local used book store
#TBRtemptation post 10! Between the Confederacy and British recognition stood one man who hated slavery. He was Robert Bunch, the young British consul in South Carolina. He reported back to the Crown all the slave trade-related dealings the Confederacy said it wasn't doing, while convincing Southerners that he was sympathetic to them. Diplomats, senators, journalists, spies, presidents, kings, acted on his decisions. #blameLitsy #blameMrBook 😎
pickThis book stands out from other books about the Civil Wat because its focus is on Britain and the man partly responsible for keeping Great Britain out of the Civil War, Robert Bunch. As the British Consul in South Carolina he was able to provide first hand knowledge to the crowd regarding the slave holders and the atitude of the South both before and during the war. This was very well written, well researched and enjoyable, informative read.
"It concerned itself entirely and exclusively with slavery... the issue of states' rights came down to the very specific right of white people in some states of the former United States to own slaves"
I haven't posted much. I'm reading this when I can focus and enjoy the wonderful writing and the interesting story. But my mind and heart are heavy. I'm not sure what the future holds and I'm bothered. Litsy has been a safe haven and for that I'm grateful. I'm here but my mind is racing and I'm just trying to make it through the days.
The next book on my list is... *sigh* books help bring me peace. After last night I need some peace. I'm not ok. I don't know when I will be ok. But I have my book. So I'll read my book.
