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Review title: A Work of Fiction, Laden with Errors
Product review: I purchased and read this book on the recommendation of a friend with an excellent knowledge of the Civil War. Read was a fascinating character truly worthy of a first-class biography. Unfortunately, this book is not it. The research is superficial and relies on hearsay, fairy tale, and wishful thinking. The author relies heavily on recollections and legends told by Read's descendants, he lacks a working knowledge of the naval aspects of the war, and his text is filled with numerous mistakes of fact. These errors are often the result of lazy research since most can be verified through the Official Records or the surviving Confederate naval records. Where the primary sources are nonexistent the author has no trouble making things up to fill in the blanks. It is a travesty and worthwhile only as an example of fiction masquerading as fact. Read has still not received the study he deserves.
