Blind Tribute was a brilliant, inspired book choked full of interesting characters and events surrounding the U.S. Civil War. Namely, Harry Wentworth, our hero newspaper man who forms the basis of the story through his actions, conversations, articles and letters.

Harry's a man's man, born and raised in the South on old family money, he emigrated to Philadelphia as an adult (to marry and raise his family) but relocates back to the south to cover the war. His welcome in the South is not a warm one as his family and childhood acquaintances cause him no end of difficulty. He's a brilliant orator and a centrist, though no one seems to believe him. He has connections in high places, a sharp wit, smart mouth and plenty of money to splash around when the need arises. A character worthy of a reader's love. I absolutely loved him!

The Civil War plays a prominent role in this novel but quietly, in the background. We don't cover any gory battlefield bits but do participate in a fair few blockade runs and artful negotiation with Yankees occupying Charleston. Slavery is discussed often with Harry striving to maintain a newsman's detachment though his views are clear as he works to free, educate and employ (for more than a fair wage) those closest to him and his family.

Blind Tribute is a rare story that enriches the reader, whilst also entertaining, and gives hope for a better world. Beyond the brilliant writing and story there's a strong ethical vision of what society should be like. I do enjoy walking away from a book with a smile on my face.

I was unable to finish this book. I found the main character implausible and unconvincing, which made it painful to wade through. The author seems to think this character is The Most Interesting Man in the World, which didn't help.

If you're a news buff, or a Civil War buff, you're going to love this book. Taking place right around/through the Civil War, it focuses on the life of a man trying to be an impartial, centrist journalist, at a time when it seems everyone is polarized to one side or another. Both the Southern and Northern sides of his family, and many friends, consider him a traitor.

It's brilliant, dare I say, a masterpiece? Thick with history and details that almost let me smell the ink in the newsrooms. It manages to look slavery and its ills squarely in the eye, without making Wentworth, the protagonist, a white savior. And for all his accomplishments and skills at hand to hand combat, he cannot protect himself against a savage attack that is described in brutal, vivid detail, which may be triggering to some. That said, there is very little mention of physical Civil War battlefields and gore, which may or may not disappoint you.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this work via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I am also acquainted with the author via social media.

I don't know if I so much ENJOYED this book as much as I was riveted by it, and I am still pondering the characters, and how I would have reacted, in their ink-stained clothes. I also loved the author's notes at the back, explaining which events/locations/newspapers were fictional (very few), and which characters and storylines were inspired by actual events. If you like books that make you think, this is one of them.