Between the Confederacy and recognition by Great Britain stood one unlikely Englishman who hated the slave trade. His actions helped determine the fate of a nation. When Robert Bunch arrived in Charleston to take up the post of British consul in 1853; he was young and full of ambition; but even he couldn’t have imagined the incredible role he would play in the history-making events to unfold. In an age when diplomats often were spies; Bunch’s job included sending intelligence back to the British government in London. Yet as the United States threatened to erupt into Civil War; Bunch found himself plunged into a double life; settling into an amiable routine with his slavery-loving neighbors on the one hand; while working furiously to thwart their plans to achieve a new Confederacy. As secession and war approached; the Southern states found themselves in an impossible position. They knew that recognition from Great Britain would be essential to the survival of the Confederacy; and also that such recognition was likely to be withheld if the South reopened the Atlantic slave trade. But as Bunch meticulously noted from his perch in Charleston; secession’s red-hot epicenter; that trade was growing. And as Southern leaders continued to dissemble publicly about their intentions; Bunch sent dispatch after secret dispatch back to the Foreign Office warning of the truth—that economic survival would force the South to import slaves from Africa in massive numbers. When the gears of war finally began to turn; and Bunch was pressed into service on an actual spy mission to make contact with the Confederate government; he found himself in the middle of a fight between the Union and Britain that threatened; in the boast of Secretary of State William Seward; to “wrap the world in flames.†In this masterfully told story; Christopher Dickey introduces Consul Bunch as a key figure in the pitched battle between those who wished to reopen the floodgates of bondage and misery; and those who wished to dam the tide forever. Featuring a remarkable cast of diplomats; journalists; senators; and spies; Our Man in Charleston captures the intricate; intense relationship between great powers on the brink of war.
#771807 in Books Jay Bahadur 2012-08-21 2012-08-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .64 x 5.20l; .71 #File Name: 0307476561336 pagesThe Pirates of Somalia Inside Their Hidden World
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. Very impressed with everything but the epilogueBy LeeAnn HeringerWhen I first heard about this book while the author was on his book tour; he was described as this kid who'd been unable to find a job as a journalist who had flown to Somalia. So; I had thought this book was an account of how he'd survived after doing this incredibly stupid thing. But in reality he was much smarter than that; he planned his adventure so he had a greater than 50 percent chance of coming home. He hooked up with a local agency that provided him with UN trained bodyguards; secure housing; translators; clan access. So; he wasn't stupid which makes the book much more interesting to read. You get the sense that the local people appreciate that an outsider sat down and let them tell their story; even if their story strains credibility frequently. It is a remarkably fair and balanced account. It is a lively fact-based story.Where it failed for me was the epilogue where he comes to the conclusion that the solution to the problem is a generous influx of cash with few strings attached. The solution to most problems -- the US educational system; third world garbage pickers; the end to our reliance on fossil fuels; unemployment -- could all be fixed by massive influxes of non-judgmental cash. One more set of people with their hand out; saying just trust us; we'll make somebody's life better; we'll get back to you on that; doesn't really convince me at this point.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. More than a book: the sheer audacity of a life-altering project from Jay BahadurBy Andy Orrock"Pirates of Somalia" is a stupefyingly audacious book. Actually; it brings it a far bit short to call Jay Bahadur's work simply a "book." It's more life-altering project. Bored writing marketing reports; he conceives an idea to fly to Somalia and get the straight scoop on this international phenomenon by talking directly to its protagonists. Amazingly; he finds a willingness in the people he writes to and - a mere weeks later - he's winging it into a nearly ungovernable country meeting up with contacts heretofore unseen. Say what you want about the book's execution; but in terms of sheer audacity of action: Hats off; my man. Bravo.I knew I was in the right place when Bahadur's references Aidan Hartley's The Zanzibar Chest early on. I view Hartley's book as a masterpiece of reporting and memoir. It's easily one of the best five books I've read. Bahadur quotes a passage in which Hartley "describes in chilling detail the life-and-death importance of clan lineage during the worst days of the [Somalian civil] war." If you see Hartley as your model; I'm in.Bahadur focuses his reporting on the Puntland State of Somalia; the hotbed of piracy. He seeks to cover what he enumerates as the "four main causes explain[ing] the rise of piracy in Puntland: geopolitics; environmental factors; economic adversity; and breakdown of governance." What makes the book sing: this is no armchair analysis from a comfortable; far-away seat. This is face-to-face; winning-hearts-and-minds; chew-the-khat; ride-the-Toyota Surf-to-the-small-village; meet-the-elders; hire-the-bodyguards-and-translators reporting. Very; very well done.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great book; well written; recommended warmly.By Peter MarkusJay Bahadur succeeded in writing an excellent book on the situation in Puntland. His first hand information is more than interesting. The book reads as a novel; describes the atmosphere and environment. The encounters with big and small pirates are of a personal nature; his financial break down seems realistic and sheds a different light on the actual economics of the entire 'industry'. I am very grateful to Jay for writing this book and sharing is personal opinion. I am not a scientist and have not checked the facts and figures but it all seems plausible. Very instructive and I recommend this book to anyone interested in this part of our world.
