I recently received a copy of the book The H.L. Hunley: The Secret Hope of the Confederacy by Tom Chaffin. It took me a while to get to read it, but I finally finished and thought I would write a review. Since this is my first official (outside of doctoral work) book review, I ask that you bear with me.
First some logistics:
The hardcover book is 352 pages and was published by Hill and Wang in September 2008.
Synopsis:
The book begins with a the story of Horace Hunley and his life in New Orleans in the time leading up to the Civil War. The book continues to follow Hunley’s journey in to history that leads him from New Orleans to Mobile, Alabama and eventually to Charleston, South Carolina. Along that journey the book chronicles the various attempts at creating a submarine leading up the H.L. Hunley including the CSS Pioneer and The American Diver. In addition to Horace Hunley’s story, the book introduces us to many other individuals who would all take part in the story of the Hunley including James McClintock, and Baxter Watson. The book also describes in great detail the time the boat spent in Charleston leading up to it’s date with history and the USS Housatonic on February 17, 1864.
Finally, the book provides a interesting look into the recent discovery, recovery and preservation of the H.L. Hunley. How historians, underwater archeologists and crime scene investigators are wading through sand, silt and other ocean materials to look for clues into why and how the Hunley sank.
Here is an great video on the raising of the H.L. Hunley: Raising of the Hunley
My Review:
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It is very clear that the author meticulously researched not only the story of Horace Hunley but also of all the contributors, investors and leaders in the Confederate Army. I especially enjoyed reading about how the preservation team is working like crime scene investigators to determine what happened to the crew on that fateful night. While I was familiar with the story of the H.L. Hunley, I was not familar with it’s predecessor the Pioneer and the American Diver. I was also not aware that a total of 32 men died in the fabled tale of the famous submarine.
One of the things that I didn’t like about the book was that it jumps around at times from story to story and there are parts later in the book which are repeated from earlier in the narrative. But, these in no way take away from the overall quality of the detail in the book.
In addition to the book, the publishers have a companion website that includes some additional insights and information into the book. Included is an interactive Map of the Hunley at http://hunleymap.com/
Finally, there is a nice interview with author Tom Chaffin on YouTube for you to watch.
Be sure to check out my previous entry about the Ghosts of the Hunley lesson.
Finally, as part of my review, I received an additional copy of the book and I’m going to have a prize drawing for it. If you would like to enter, simply leave me a comment on this post with a brief comment on the Hunley’s role in history. Contest ends on Thursday, December 4th at 5pm EST when I will have one of the kids select a number based on the # of comments.
Until next time…
AND THE WINNER IS (by random drawing by my son Josh): Kevin Honeycutt
Posted under Miscellaneous
This post was written by Jim on November 28, 2008
Thanks for the review Jim, it sounds like a terribly interesting book. I remember the footage from the raising of the Hunley when it first came out. The Hunley’s attack on the Housatonic proved that a submerged vessel could successfully attack an unsuspecting surface ship. This of course would play out in the following century in the First and Second World Wars and beyond. Arcane though it’s design was, Hunley was a technological marvel for it’s day. I’m pleased they were able to raise it and preserve it, as well as give the souls aboard a proper burial.
Thanks for such an interesting review – it looks like a great book. My boys are Civil War buffs and we’ve visited many of the battlefields, but haven’t had a chance to get to South Carolina and see the Hunley. Thanks for sharing your review and the accompanying links, which I will share with my sons.
From your review, The H.L. Hunley: The Secret Hope of the Confederacy sounds like a fascinating book. I am sure that in the near future, scientific examination of the remains will uncover whether the Hunley’s demise was caused by a storm, an explosion, or some other cause. Meanwhile, the sinking of the H.L. Hunley is one of the greatest mysteries of the Civil War.
The Hunley has always been a fascination for me and I hope to visit the museum some day.
What is somewhat intriquing to me is the mystery that still surrounds her – we now have a wonderful touchpoint to history, but yet, some mystery still remains.
The American Civil War and World History in general is full of such mysteries!
Thanks for the review!
Jim, Thanks for the great review. This will be a book the kids and I will be reading later this year for our discoveries in American history! Books like this always help make history much more interesting. Looking forward to many more book reviews!
Hi Jim!
Just found your blog thru Manny Gentile’s blog. “Techthecivilwar”, eh?
Well, when I retire [in two years - God willing] that’s my wish as well . . .
I have been to the Hunley twice – the first when she was first brought up. Recently, I met a woman who is very involved in the preservation of the Hunley and enjoyed the dialog very much – - wow! so knowledgeable of it!
Anyway, let’s not forget the USS Alligator, built in my home town of Philadelphia!
Regards,
Bob Miller
Certainly an important part of our Civil War History, the Hunley helped further establish modern warfare as we know it. Today, I think the Hunley is seen less for what it accomplished and seen more in a romantic light; Dixon’s gold coin, the remains of the sailors found at their seats and with the help of Science, actually being able to give each man a face. In the same way that Alexander Gardner’s photographs brought the war home to citizens of the 1860’s, the recovery of the Hunley brought it home again for us today.
Jim – Thanks for the great review. My students have always enjoyed watching some video clips from the History Channel on the Hunley during our Civil War unit. Great story with great human interest. Thanks for the links to additional information as well.
Eric Langhorst
Liberty, Missouri
Great review and the detail you talk about make me eager to read the book. Many Hunley fans are like me and are ravenous for any new shred of evidence or information about the craft or the surrounding story. I think the Hunley embodies a sort of bold optimism in the face of seemingly impossible odds. It is not a mechanical story but a human one. Were these men brave or insane? The circumstances surrounding this vessel are endlessly fascinating!
The CSS Hunley truly is one of the most fascinating stories I’ve come across in my professional career. Until I did the research on my Bushnell book, I had not realized the numerous, and sometimes laughable, attempts at building a submarine throughout history.
Fun fact: Lt. Dixon, last commander of the Hunley, carried a gold coin in his pocket given to him by his sweetheart. When the Hunley was brought to the surface, archaeologists found the coin.
Hi Jim. Thanks for your comments. This is my first time posting on your blog, so hello.
I’m currently studying history at Penn State, but am quite familiar with The Hunley’s history. I first came to know of the sub when I was eleven and saw the made-for-TV movie about it. Just two years later, I visited Charleston for the first time and had the opportunity to climb into the replica used in that movie. It was very cool for a little kid. I was hooked.
I returned to Charleston four years later and got to see the REAL Hunley after it had been raised from its watery grave. I saw Dixon’s coin and his compass firsthand. It very much put things in perspective and made the crew more human than every before.
Although The Hunley was more deadly to the Confederates than Federals, it was still one of the great technological advancements in history which forever changed the ways wars were fought. It is great to see that interest in this marvel is ever increasing.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts all!
Jared
it was the best book ive ever read. esp about the ancestor subs of the Hunley. I love that book and i recomend it for anyone that is doing a book report on submarines like myself.