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
