In 1853, Robert Bunch was posted to Charleston to serve as British consul, clean up the mess left by his predecessor, and lobby for British interests. As the US careened toward Civil War, and talk of secession superseded all else in South Carolina, Bunch increasingly found himself thrust in the middle of events, and increasingly as a double agent - chumming it up with the best people, while working furiously behind the scenes to deny the new Confederacy the recognition and legitimacy in Europe it so longed for - and needed.
Christopher Dickey's writing and research are on-the-mark, his portrayal of Bunch flattering without being fawning, and the history engaging. That said, much like Savage Continent, I found I just cannot concentrate on other people's apocalypses at the moment. A country on the brink, neighbor-against-neighbor, is just too reminiscent of the current times. I think I'll turn away from my usual history reading for a bit. :)
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