Book Review: The Trent Affair by Charles River Editors

The Trent Affair: The Diplomatic Incident that Nearly Brought Great Britain into the American Civil War

Historians have given the Trent Affair short shrift. This book promises new revelations about the diplomatic incident, primarily through quotations from primary sources such as letters, newspaper articles, and official documents. While it is always useful to read primary source material, the sources presented do not offer a different perspective than historians have presented. Granted, historians gloss over the nuts and bolts of the Affair, but it’s because the issue was resolved before it could impact the course of the conflict. Still, understanding these details is important for context.

What if the Trent Affair hadn’t been agreeably settled? If Great Britain had entered the war on the Confederacy’s side, it was likely that the South would have won. That would have made the Trent Affair a huge deal. Jefferson Davis’s top diplomatic priority was to drag a European power into combat. Abraham Lincoln’s top diplomatic priority was to deny the Confederate States of America recognition by European powers. This book did not provide additional insights into how Lincoln outsmarted Davis. As you study the Affair, there are hints of backroom bartering but no evidence. When desired, Lincoln was fairly astute at maneuvering without leaving fingerprints.

Furthermore, the book as a whole is an odd little volume, with poor transitions and scant narrative around the quoted material. The photographs of the major participants are well known.

Ultimately, despite its promising subject, the book failed to deepen our understanding of this diplomatic fiasco. This is unfortunate, as the author suggests that, if addressed differently, the Trent Affair might have become central to the conflict.

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