Our Man in Charleston: Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South

Written by Christopher Dickey

Narrated by Antony Ferguson

As tension over slavery and western expansion threatened to break the US into civil war, the Southern states found themselves squeezed between two nearly irreconcilable realities: the survival of the Confederate economy would require the importation of more slaves-a practice banned in America since 1807-but the existence of the Confederacy itself could not be secured without official recognition from Great Britain, who would never countenance reopening the Atlantic slave trade. How, then, could the first be achieved without dooming the possibility of the second?

The unlikely man at the rolling center of the intrigue was Robert Bunch, an American-born Englishman who had maneuvered his way to the position of British consul in Charleston, South Carolina, and grew to loathe slavery and the righteousness of its practitioners. Bunch used his unique perch and boundless ambition to become a key player, sending reams of dispatches to the home government and eventually becoming the Crown's best secret source on the Confederacy. But doing so required living a double life. To his Charleston neighbors, Bunch was increasingly a pillar of Southern society. But to the British government, he was a student abolitionist, eviscerating Southern dissembling on plans regarding the Slave trade.

Our Man In Charleston is a masterfully told story of an unknown crusader. Award-winning author Christopher Dickey locates Consul Bunch as the key figure among Englishmen in America. Determined to ensure the triumph of morality in the inevitable march to civil war, he helped me determine the fate of a nation.

Featuring a cast of remarkable characters, Our Man In Charleston also captures a decisive moment in Anglo-American history: the pitched battle between those who wished to reopen the floodgates of bondage and misery, and those who wished to dam the tide forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Highbridge Company
• Release date: Jul 21, 2015
• ISBN: 9781622317707

Christopher Dickey

Christopher Dickey, Newsweek's award-winning Paris bureau chief and Middle East editor, reports regularly from Baghdad, Cairo, and Jerusalem, and writes the weekly "Shadowland" column -- an inside look at the world of spies and soldiers, guerrillas and suicide bombers -- for Newsweek Online. He is the author of Summer of Deliverance, Expats, With the Contras, and the novel Innocent Blood. He lives in Paris.

Reviews for Our Man in Charleston

[ralphz-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This starts out in the middle of the turmoil just before the Civil War. Robert Bunch, British Counsel in Charleston, is on the front lines, watching the U.S. slide into war. As a diplomat, he had to hold back his own feelings about slavery (hated it) in the midst of an entire system that lived by it.The "secret agent" part of this book may be overdone. As a diplomat, he watched, listened and reported back. It's what diplomats do. Very little subterfuge, other than pretending he wasn't against slavery, just so he could get closer to those who were.We see event after event in the buildup from his point of view. And you know what? I kept waiting for something big to happen.No stealthy escapes from authorities, no sneaking slaves over to the North, no sabotage of Confederate plans or materiel. Maybe I wouldn't have been waiting for them if the title was a little more reserved.It's a good book but not the best I've read either about the war or spies.I received this book for review.Read more of my reviews at Ralphsbooks.

[richard7920 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This excellent book presents a look at the challenges faced by Great Britain as she attempted to police the slave trade in the immediate period before and during the American Civil War. The story is presented through the diary of the central figure, Robert Bunch, Her Britannic Majesty's consul in Charleston, South Carolina.

[cweller_19 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. It provided a good look at the politics at the beginning of the Civil War.

[lisa.schureman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a wonderful Librarything giveaway. I didn't realize that South Carolina had attempted to secede in the 1830s and Andrew Jackson called Senator Calhoun's bluff and put a stop to it. Enter Robert Bunch in 1853, the British Consul in Charleston, South Carolina, who has been instructed by the Crown to do something about the Negro Seamen's Act, whereby a free black seaman arriving on a foreign vessel is taken from said vessel and thrown into jail for fear that his freedom might infect the "docile" slaves. Bunch witnessed the rising fever of secession from 1853 onwards and said, They will awake from their delusion to find the Party broken up and the whole power of the Country thrown into the hands of the 'Republicans.' When this shall happen, the days of Slavery are numbered. It may still exist in that comparatively narrow strip of territory in which a pestilential climate renders black labor necessary, but the prestige and power of Slaveholders will be gone, never to return." In 1861 he noted, "that Lincoln did not propose abolition, and the South nonetheless did want secession." At the same time that the South was agitating for secession it was also attempting to pick a fight with Britain over slavery while expecting them to continue to purchase cotton when the South seceded. A very interesting book about a little-known very perceptive individual who reported the evolving situation in the South from his base in Charleston.

[lamb521 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Title: Our Man in Charleston (Britain’s Secret Agent in the Civil War South)Author: Charles DickeyPages: 400Year: 2015Publisher: CrownMy rating is 4 out of 5 stars.The Civil War is just one historical event that continues to fascinate me as a reader. The author does a magnificent job of detailing the ins and outs of what occurred in our nation at a time when chaos reigned. I am continuously learning so much about what was going on at a time when many people even knew where their next meal was coming from.The author packs so much information into his book that it really causes the reader to become engrossed with the intrigue that happened off the battlefield. As I read I was humbled as I learned of events that never entered my thinking before. Of course, today many people are even on a higher alert for those who are observing them or interested in what their activities may be. What the author shares never before entered my mind as a possibility at a time we look back on as perhaps being centered on the battlefield. Some of the nefarious transactions weren’t easy to read such as the way some viewed lives as of little to no value, no caring what happened to them even when separating loved ones. There are some real historical figures readers will learn about who were brave and worked diligently behind the scenes to improve life for all. The nonfictional book is one that lovers of history will want on their shelves to share with others for generations. Here is a great book that will make a great gift for the lover of history, the Civil War or secret agents!Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[unkletom_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’m not sure that this book will rate as highly with fiction readers as it does with me and other lovers of anything related to the American Civil War. For one thing, it’s title is disingenuous as the subject of the book, Robert Bunch, lived and worked quite openly as Her Majesty’s royal consul in Charleston, South Carolina for the decade leading up to that state’s secession from the union. He didn’t wear a tuxedo or play baccarat while drinking vodka martinis (shaken, not stirred), and he did not, or at least the book doesn’t tell of, frequently bed beautiful enemy agents. If he did anything in secret it was to assiduously hide from his hosts how passionately he detested slavery and anyone who actively defended that ‘peculiar institution’ that lay at the heart of the South’s agrarian economy. If he was to accomplish anything in his position he had to keep a smile on his face and convince everyone with any influence that he was, if not in agreement with their views, at least not opposed to them.What he did do was perform his job diligently, keeping his government apprised of all that was happening in Charleston, the hotbed of the secessionist movement, and defending the rights of British subjects, including black ones, who had fallen afoul of South Carolina laws. One such law, the first Negro Seaman Act (1822), ordered county sheriffs to arrest and detain all black seamen, regardless of nationality, until their ships were ready to leave harbor. The ships’ captains would then be charged the cost of incarceration. In the event that a ship’s captain could not or would not pay the required amount, he could be fined and imprisoned while the black sailors aboard his vessel would be “deemed and taken as absolute slaves, and sold.” Once the war broke out his job became vastly more complicated. How does one interact with a state that believes it is independent of the country that you have diplomatic relations with when that government denies that the schism has taken place yet at the same time is blockading the port of what it claims to be one of its own cities? Bunch’s greatest coup was a plan of hers that essentially tricked both sides of the conflict into agreeing to the provisions of a multinational treaty that neither side had signed. I particularly enjoyed this book because it provided a solid understanding of Great Britain’s role in the American Civil War and its negotiations with both sides. It also provided a semi-neutral ringside view of life in Charleston during the days leading up to the war. Dickey’s book also included a special treat in a story that I had not previously heard. My family is currently watching the PBS series ‘Victoria’ and have become fascinated with the character of Prince Albert. It turns out that one of the royal consort’s final official acts was to save the Union. When the American ship San Jacinto stopped the British steamer Trent at sea and seized two Confederate diplomates. This so enraged the English government that they prepared an ultimatum so harsh and inflexible that, had it been sent, the result would almost certainly have been war between the United States and England, thereby all but guaranteeing a successful conclusion to the South’s secession. Fortunately, the crown had the authority to review any such diplomatic correspondence and Albert, with his strong appreciation of human rights, realized that the result of such a letter would almost certainly be ‘the continuation of slavery for generations to come’ and ordered that the language be softened, allowing President Lincoln to claim that the San Vincente’s captain acted independently. This Lincoln did and war was averted. When Albert reviewed the letter, he was suffering from the first symptoms of the cholera that would claim his life a few days later. Bottom line: I really enjoyed this book. It provided a lot of valuable background information that increased my understanding of the times and the people who lived them. Quotations are cited from an advanced reading copy and may not be the same as appears in the final published edition. The review was based on an advanced reading copy obtained at no cost from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review. While this does take any ‘not worth what I paid for it’ statements out of my review, it otherwise has no impact on the content of my review.FYI: On a 5-point scale I assign stars based on my assessment of what the book needs in the way of improvements:*5 Stars – Nothing at all. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.*4 Stars – It could stand for a few tweaks here and there but it’s pretty good as it is.*3 Stars – A solid C grade. Some serious rewriting would be needed in order for this book to be considered great or memorable.*2 Stars – This book needs a lot of work. A good start would be to change the plot, the character development, the writing style and the ending. *1 Star - The only thing that would improve this book is a good bonfire.

[lindapanzo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've read quite a bit on the Civil War but had never heard of the forgotten man, Robert Bunch, Great Britain's Consul in Charleston, SC during the pre-war and war years. Despite his abhorrence of slavery, Bunch cultivated contacts among the pro-slavery crowd and offered honest, perceptive dispatches to his superiors both in Washington and in London of events, people, and his perceptions, even in the face of rising danger as passions grew as the war approached.One of the cover blurbs said something about this being a "beach read." When I first saw that, I was doubtful, though, in the end, I would agree. It's not quite a page turner but it's close. A fascinating look at pre-war and wartime Charleston. Quite possibly the best ER book I've ever won.Highly recommended!!

[2wondery_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story, based on primary source documents, provides a valuable picture of the local politics involved with the start of the Civil War. Bunch was a consul for the British government, assigned to Charleston, South Carolina. He was able to successfully hide his personal feelings about the slave trade and report from up close and personal to London and Washington DC. He knew the personalities and he was privy to the less public stances of secessionists. He also was a witness to the first battle at Fort Sumter.The writing, pacing and organization of the material are well done.

[slug9000 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am a little torn on how to rate this book. I read several reviews of it beforehand and was excited to read a fast-paced spy thriller, but that is really not what I got at all. However, I thought it was a fasincating look at secessionists, slaveholders, slave trade advocates, and Britain's role in the U.S. Civil War. I also thought its parallels to modern politics were uncanny, if not altogether terrifying, so it is absolutely a worthwhile read. Re: my first point, this book is not about a true British intelligence officer. Robert Bunch was the British consul in Charleston, and held that post more or less officially (his privileges were withdrawn by the union about a year before he left the country) for many years. It is true that he was working tirelessly to inform his superiors of the secessionists' views on slavery and their increasing interest in officially reopening the Middle Passage while simultaneously trying not to reveal his opinions on the matter. In the beginning, withholding his opinions was primarily for diplomatic reasons; that is, it was easier for him to do his job if he was perceived as friendly to the cause. As secession loomed, however, withholding his opinion did become a matter of personal safety, and he started to write his letters to Britain in code. It was definitely fascinating to read, but I did not necessarily find that storyline to be the gripping spy drama I was expecting from the reviews. Bunch did his job so well, in fact, that when he finally left for Britain, the Charlestonians firmly believed he was on their side, and the real threats to his job (but not necessarily his safety) ended up being from northerners convinced of his secessionist sympathies. What I found to be most interesting about this book were the details of the secessionists' obsession with slavery and the reopening of the Middle Passage. I knew some of this going into the book, but Bunch's perspective is unique, and he was one of the few British consuls in the Confederate states who was regularly sounding the alarm on this topic. Furthermore, I found that some of the rhetoric used by pro-slavery secessionists has some striking parallels to that of some modern politicians. The justifications for slavery and the fears of a slave uprising are not totally unlike modern justifications for mass incarceration or fears of foreigners or racial minorities. For this reason alone, the book is a five-star read. Again, if you are looking for a real spy thriller, this is probably not your book. There are better nonfiction books that will really have you on the edge of your seat, if that is what you want. If you are looking for a thought-provoking book that offers a new perspective on the south from an outsider pretending to be an insider, then this is exactly what you need.

[rickla-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Our Man in Charleston is a useful and pertinent addition to recent books dealing with the Civil War and its underlying causes. I recently had read The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, and prior to that, A World on Fire: Britain’s Crucial Role in the American Civil War. This book basically focuses on the intersection of the two stories, and “focuses” is the key word, as it zeroes in on that time period when the tensions between North and South were rising to the boiling point which erupted at Fort Sumter. The British consul, Robert Bunch, who is the main protagonist of the story, is representing his country’s interests in the South, and his actions as revealed in his correspondence and official documents make up the bulk of the story, as it unfolds chronologically. However, this is not a dry history of events. It is enriched and brought alive by the author’s adept descriptions of all the key players, their personalities, histories, inclinations, and biases. It is almost like watching an absorbing historical dramatic movie, but is all the more impactful since you know it all actually happened. And the fact that Britain was a key player in the balance of power between the North and the South makes the action exceedingly important. Bunch was trying to advance the British interests while remaining diplomatic and even avoiding the very real danger of being found out as anti-slavery during a very volatile period in the city, which was the flashpoint of the war. We may know the outcome of what eventually happened, but it does not take away from the suspense found in this story. A final note on format – the author includes two very beneficial items: One, he includes photos of all the principal characters in the story, enabling you to see the people he is talking about. Two, he provides a clear map of the Charleston area, so that when he describes the key actions in the city, you can understand what is going on, such as the key positions of the Northern and Southern forces competing for the control of the area.

[hadden_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Interesting account of the American Civil War, sectional differences, and the slavery issue from a British point of view from the years 1853-1863. Robert Bunch, the British consul in Charleston, South Carolina, was involved in documenting his interpretation of the secession movement in the south leading up to the war for the British government in England. The first part, and larger part, deals with the events and subjects leading up to the secession of South Carolina. During this period, Robert Bunch had to deal with issues such as protecting black British seamen, either military or civilian, who were sometimes arrested in Charleston and imprisoned or eventually sold into slavery. Also, during this period leading up to the war, occasional slave trading from Africa, although outlawed, continued, The British were often stymied in their patrols off the coast of Africa by not being allowed to stop and board American ships for inspection, and if found to be slavers, impoundment and confiscation. This same issue led to the conflict with Britain during the War of 1812, and the situation was reversed later when an American warship stopped and boarded a British ship and removed two Confederate diplomats on their way to France and England during "The Trent Affair".Surprisingly, Christopher Dickey does not spend more time discussing this event, which came to a point where the US and Britain were coming close to war over several issues. Also, the fact that Britain embargoed transshipment of nitrates to the US which would have cut off their supply of gunpowder was not mentioned, although this was probably more than anything else responsible for the US to back down. However, this is not the sort of thing discussed in diplomatic correspondence or American consular archives, so the impact to American military logistics is not obvious.The account is also interspersed with the writings of the Times reporter, William H. Russell, who was unwillingly sent to the US to cover the war and report on his southern travels. Some other shady characters appear momentarily, then disappear again, without much discussion.The strongest parts of the book deal with the discussion of slavery in the decade before the war commenced, and the politics leading up to the division of the Democratic Party and their Charleston nominating convention in 1860. The revival of American participation in the African slave trade was well expressed, and the impact on recognition of the Confederacy by Britain and France well explored.The weakest parts of the book deal with the events and issues after the war was declared and Fort Sumter was fired upon.A good overview of American-British diplomatic relations in the 1850s-1860s, and the relations between the Confederacy and American-British relations are well explored, often from unpublished letters and accounts.Recommended for larger Civil War collections or international affairs subject areas.

[schmerguls · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

5407. Our Man in Charleston Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South, by Christopher Dickey (read 18 Sep 2016) This is a superbly researched account of the British consul in Charleston, SC, in the time just before the Civil War and extending into the time of the Civil War by the author of the memorable Summer of Deliverance which I read 25 Apr 1999, Said consul, Robert Bunch, was appalled by the attitude of the people of Charleston toward slavery and the Union, but kept his feelings to himself and he sought to advance Britain's opposition to the slave trade and slavery. With considerable risk to himself and his family, he reported to his superiors accurately so as to be sure that Britain did not side with the Confederacy in the war. This may not sound like the most exciting thing about the war but it is handled very well and I found mysslf consistently interested in the well-told account. The source notes are informative and convince one that a superlative job of research has been done. (I obtained my copy of the book through Early Reviewers.

[sarah_gruwell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Winning this book giveaway came at a fantastic time. My interest in how the American Civil War was viewed by or impacted the international community started to really grow just a few months before winning this puppy on LibraryThing. And what a find! Despite a hiccup in the beginning portion, this book proved to be both informative and engaging. An English diplomat caught between two sides of a brewing civil war is a new story, for sure. Seeing the deteriorating stability of a nation through his unique eyes gives the Civil War a new angle. The author explores in devastating detail a society in freefall as the drums of war rumble louder and louder. Bunch had to do a balancing act unlike many others to serve his country and cause, all the while protecting his very life and family.The sheer amount of information in here was fascinating. I had no idea that the Union and Britain came SO close to blows and war. Such a knife edge… Thanks to calm heads, that potential conflict was averted, despite the efforts of hotheads and war hawks.I gotta give props for how the author chose to present his material. It’s not just a conglomeration of facts and figures thrown into paragraphs and then released. Primary source quotes are interwoven with the author’s writing instead of being inserted in block quotes. Also, the time and care given to description and scene-setting also gives this book a fictional feel to it, in that it’s easier to read for your casual history fan. For this person who fits that descriptor, everything worked perfectly in this regard.At times, the balance of the narrative seemed a bit off. A ton of time was spent on the years leading up to the war; once the war hit, the book was actually starting to wind down already. I can see why this balance was struck as a lot of what happened in Bunch’s tale was during that time frame. Yet, there were times in the first half that I got a bit bored.Despite this, this is a rock solid work on the subject, especially as there isn’t much on the international take on the Civil War out there. Bunch’s tale alone makes the book read worthy. I loved getting to know him and his situation. Yet, there’s so much more here. If you’re curious about this subject at all, definitely give this book a look!Note: Book received for free from publisher via giveaway on LibraryThing in exchange for an hones review.

[johnfgaines_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Our Man in Charleston: Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South has been in print for a while and numerous reviews have been written. I will add only a few observations.1. The story of Robert Bunch's undercover efforts on behalf of the British crown in the Confederate South is largely unknown so this is a book that needed to be written.2. Author Christopher Dickey has done a decent, but not outstanding, job in writing Bunch's story. There are sections of the book where the back-cover blurb "A spicy beach read, chock-full of memorable characters and intrigue" might even be justified. But, frankly, intermingled with the good parts are long examples of writing so pedantic that it is a struggle to stay interested and plod through to the next chapter. 3. To his credit Robert Bunch was a man who despised the institution of slavery. He was also a highly ambitious foreign service officer who wanted to achieve greater things in his career. The long-time consul in Charleston possessed the craftiness and deceptiveness needed to keep his South Carolina contacts and supposed friends in the dark about his convictions and activities. Since this account of Bunch's career comes largely from several large correspondence collections archived in England, Dickey has to trust that the way Bunch reported his activities to his superiors at the British Embassy in Washington and in London are accurate. Readers need to keep in mind that these letters were written by an ambitious bureaucrat who was known to be skilled at misrepresenting the truth. The author acknowledges that, on numerous occasions, the foreign office did not put much stock in Bunch's recommendations. All that combines to create a significant credibility problem. How much confidence can readers have that the significant role claimed for Bunch in this book is justified? Ultimately, we are left to trust the author's judgment.This book is recommended for anyone interested in Civil War history and especially for those interested in gaining better insight into Confederate efforts to gain diplomatic recognition from Great Britain.

[nathanhoover-142123 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Christopher Dickey's recounting of the impact of the slave trade on the foreign relations between the US and Great Britain reads like a spy novel. He methodically portrays the twists and turns of foreign policy devised by the British consul in Charleston, Robert Bunch, a singular figure in US-British history. The way that Bunch continuously played the role of a cool and collected supporter of the Southern cause while undermining the chances of receiving recognition by the British government of the Confederacy is a masterclass in diplomacy. A fantastic account of British perspective of the American Civil War.

[dgryan1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was surprised by what a quick, thoroughly engaging read this was. A book about a British diplomat’s intelligence dispatches to his superiors in London during the years leading up to and including the beginning of the Civil War might not be expected to draw one in and keep the pages turning. However, I read it in just two days. The story of British consul Robert Bunch and his maneuverings in South Carolina’s society as he initially sought to overturn an egregious law impacting black British sailors, and then later to influence British policy towards the Confederacy is an important piece of history. He was fiercely opposed to slavery, but was careful to remain friendly with his Southern contacts and use his position to best achieve Britain’s aims of preventing a resumption of the African slave trade, and also to deny a Southern victory that would have perpetuated the “slaveocracy.” He carefully reported on the rising price and value of slaves and the conditions, including western expansion, that pointed toward a resumption of the importation of African slaves. Though Britain’s factories received most of their cotton from America’s fields, Bunch urged his government to look elsewhere for a supply and influenced officials’ decisions about whether to cede to Southern pressure to recognize the Confederacy in exchange for shipments of the South’s cotton to Britain’s textile mills. An alliance with Britain was greatly needed for the South to win and Bunch’s letters to Clarendon, Palmerston, and others in London helped shape the course of history. This book makes clear the role of Britain in America’s Civil War. Something that is often overlooked or only briefly addressed. Worth reading!

[barlow304 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mr. Dickey is a journalist based in Europe who has written an illuminating account of the American career of Robert Bunch, the British consul in Charleston in the years leading up to the Civil War and the first two years of the war. Using archival materials such as the official correspondence with the Foreign Office and Bunch’s private letters to the British ambassador to Washington, Dickey shows how Bunch ingratiated himself with the social elite of Charleston as he gathered information about matters important to the Crown—especially the nature of slavery and attempts to revive the African slave trade.Bunch’s letters clearly show that he anticipated the breakup of the Union and the temporary triumph of the “fire eaters”, the radical secessionists that drove the dissolution of the Democratic Party and of the Union. One of Bunch’s most important contributions was his analysis of the anti-African slave trade clause in the Confederate constitution. He argued that the clause was an unenforceable sham. His argument was important for keeping Britain from siding with the South in 1862.Well written and well researched, this book is an entertaining and enlightening view of the American Civil War from the viewpoint of a crucial British diplomat in Charleston.

[sherman1951 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

By 1833 Great Britain had eliminated slavery in its entire empire. Yet, despite it’s hostility towards the institution it remained largely neutral during the American Civil War but at times inching towards recognition of the Southern Confederacy. One man, maybe more than others, appears to be responsible for its decision not to recognize the South – Robert Bunch, the British consul in Charleston leading up to the first shots at Fort Sumter. “Our Man in Charleston” recounts Bunch’s story and his record of advising the Foreign Office of the South’s continued efforts to maintain the African slave trade long after it had been abolished in the U.S. While Britain needed the cotton to keep its mills operating the failure of the South to ensure it would eliminate the slave trade kept the English out of the war (although it apparently did supply weapons to both sides). Bunch also led a secret mission to Jefferson Davis which had repercussions to his career during the Civil War. Although he managed to secure the friendship and support of the Charleston elite prior to the outbreak, his distaste for slavery led him a path of subterfuge in his day-to-day dealings. The book is subtitled “Britain’s Secret Agent in the Civil War South.” This may be an overreach. He was reporting, sometimes in ciphered code, of the attitudes of the slavers, but hardly what we were term cloak and dagger spying. Still, this is an interesting book – not just about one man – but about the South’s efforts to keep the slave trade alive and the reluctance of some, including the future king, to reward the South for this abomination.

[mrmapcase · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a look at the diplomatic side of the south before and during the Civil War, focused mainly in Charleston, SC with a British consul named Robert Bunch. Bunch was primarily concerned with the slave trade and how that would affect the UK and whether if the government should back the Confederacy. It was a rather interesting read into a side of the Civil War that is not readily touched upon.

[bbrad_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This history is of British relations with the Union and the Confederate States before and during the American Civil War. The vehicle for this telling is mostly the letters and other writings of the young British Consul in Charleston, South Carolina (Robert Bunch) and of those around him. Despite the book's subtitle - "Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South" - the story involves very little cloak-and-dagger intrigue. Yes, Bunch was cordial to the slave-holding aristocracy in Charleston in order to learn as much as he could of its politics and secessionist maneuverings, although he and his government were ardently anti slavery.This cordiality was sometimes misinterpreted by the North and even by London. Bunch's diplomatic status was revoked by the United States in late 1861. He stayed in Charleston for 1 1/2 more years before leaving for home and other diplomatic posts.The tension surrounding Bunch's work was the need by British textile manufacturers for Southern cotton, which militated towards British recognition and support of the Confederacy, and the British abhorrence of slavery and the slave trade, which pushed in the other direction. These battling considerations are weighed throughout the book in diplomatic dispatches, letters, government pronouncements, memoirs, journalism and otherwise.While the book is probably a fair reading of these matters, the subject is not particularly exciting. The work does not purport to deal with the Civil War battles or martial strategy, but only the aforementioned diplomatic shuffling. If British diplomacy is your niche, pick up a copy of this book. Otherwise, the drama and heartache of the Civil War can be better found in hundreds of other writings.

[pjneal · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Dickey has written a fascinating story, at once looking at the geopolitical issues and views on slavery in the 1800s, and simultaneously telling the story of a single individual, based in what might be considered a backwater position, who had a profound and unexpected influence on US-UK relations and the future of slavery in the United States.

[nickhowes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

For nearly 10 years, 1853-63, British consul William H. Bunch reported to his superiors on developments in the center of the mounting secession movement and worked tirelessly to not just report but influence the international slave trade between Africa and Cuba and the United States. Bunch quietly succeeded by ingratiating himself with the aristocrats he despised so successfully that when he was finally relieved, rebel newspapers lamented the loss of an ally. Lincoln's Secretary of State William Seward with his politically-fueled threats of war against Britain not only managed to alienate the British who had more interest in Union success than Southern, also viewed Bunch as a Southern sympathizer, never realizing Bunch's true standing. Christopher Dickey's account gives an invaluable insight into life in the heart of the Southern slavocracy, where slaves are the source of wealth, not stocks and bonds. There was also the continuing threat of a clandestine African slave trade as revealed by Bunch's investigations, which Britain would not tolerate. That's aside from the wish to resume the African slave trade and even enslave all freemen at large in the South. An interesting alternative view of Seward, as well, best known as a former rival who came to idolize Lincoln, who managed to alienate Britons across the board. An informative book for those interested in the British view on slavery, their actions, and the Trent affair which came close to the end of Bunch's term and could've led Britain much closer, if not all the way, to recognizing the South. Excellent book.

[bap1012 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed reading about the British interaction in our American Civil War which is a refreshing change from the normal history of that time period. The author has included interesting facts about Robert Bunch and his life in the South. He shared Robert's aspirations and his challenges in a way that made for a compelling read.

[annbury_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful book. Robert Bunch, the British consul in Charleston South Carolina, was suspected of being a Confederate sympathizer by that prize idiot, William Seward, the US Secretary of State. In fact, Bunch knew that the southerners were a bunch of racist lowlifes and reported on the people behind the south and their desire to reopen the slave trade with Africa, which Britain would never permit. He managed to keep the British from recognizing the Confederacy until it was too late to affect the outcome. This is another book that destroys Southern myths about the causes of the civil war; It was slavery, pure and simple, that did it; the war had nothing to do with states rights or any other nonsense.

[ryan1adams · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Surprisingly entertaining read of a virtually unknown part of the history of the Civil War. It's a bit scary to see how close the UK was to getting involved in wars, and how the secret correspondence from Robert Bunch came about. It is also again interesting to see how much efforts to restart the slave trade played a role.Definitely recommended for anyone even slightly interested in history.

[crazymamie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was just so very well done! I have read quite a bit about the Civil War, but this was a totally different perspective, and I found it fascinating. Well written and easy to sink into - highly recommended for anyone interested in this time period. I won the print version through the Early Reviewers program, but I also purchased the audiobook, and the narrator does an excellent job. This is narrative non-fiction at its best.

[victoriajz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I read this awhile ago, and though the finer points are no longer retained, the overall story and information has stuck with me. I had not known at all about the involvement of Britain in our Civil War and the use of Bunch as a secret agent, straddling the line between his view of slavery and letting his southern friends not perceive his true views. Also, this book contained descriptions of slavery and what it did to people and those affected me the way other descriptions have not. I was impressed with the book, its description of the time leading up to the War and the various interests pushing and pulling on Bunch.

[epweil · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This engaging, fact based story tells of an ambassador from England to Charleston who had better than average insight and foresight into how the Southern culture worked he was always hiding his true feeling bout slavery, unable to confine in anyone and in increasing fear for his safety he finally rises the British flag over his home to keep it safe . Explains how Britain knew more about how our country was heading towards war than we did.

[bks1953 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The local newspaper's book review raved about Christopher Dickey's "Our Man in Charleston: Britain's Secret Agent in the Civil War South." A couple of friends also highly recommended the title. It's easy to understand why. Mr. Dickey discusses the complex relationship between the southern states and Great Britain -- the former which produced the cotton and the latter whose new industries processed it. Mr. Dickey relates this history through the prism of one ambitious young man, a commoner, Robert Bunch, appointed in 1850 as Her Majesty's counsul in Charleston, SC. Mr. Dickey has researched Bunch's surviving correspondence and dispatches, scattered about the UK and the US, weaving a fascinating and readable history. Bunch really must have been quite the erudite diplomat; when he departed Charleston in 1862, one local newspaper lauded him as a "true friend of the South." Yet he loathed the slavocracy culture; indeed, as early as 1857, Bunch correctly predicted to his superiors in Washington and London that the region would be willing to secede and go to war to keep its "peculiar institution" intact. With London sometimes ambivalent over the situation in the US (morality vs. economics and politics), Bunch's decade-plus "on the ground" reports -- from what would become the fist state to (in its own words) "dissolve" the Union -- would play a ultimately critical role in the formulation of British policy.

[fuzzy_patters · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Our Man in Charleston is about Robert Bunch, whom I knew nothing about before reading this book. This lesser known figure of the American Civil War was British Consul to Charleston, South Carolina, and endeared himself to the local through feigned indifference to the southern cause despite being anti-slavery and anti-slave trade in his private correspondence. This would cause problems for him.Dickey's research comes from Bunch's private correspondence as well as from other sources, and the book enables the reader to gain a perspective on the war that was foreign to this American reader. I had not really considered all of the various opinions about the war from the British perspective. Questions about whom they should ally with are well known, but the underlying prejudices and assumptions that led to those opinions were not as well known to me. For example, I was unaware of how the brashness of William Seward affected various personalities in London and led some towards siding with the south. That was interesting for me.Overall, I enjoyed the book. There were one of two things that were off-putting to me, such as referring to New york as the capital of the world, which I don't think was really accurate prior to World War I. New York owes its place as a center of world banking largely due to American neutrality in the first four years of that war, but that is a minor quibble with the book. I learned a lot from this book and enjoyed reading it.