Published for the first time since 1867-1868, this memoir by De Leon (1818-1891) describes his efforts in Europe to woo Britain and France to support the Confederate cause in the American Civil War. According to editor Davis (history, Virginia Tech), the memoir offers little that will change understandings of Confederate diplomacy, but maintains that it has significance because of its level of detail and its immediacy as the earliest known account by any Confederate foreign agent. Also included in the volume are three examples of De Leon's wartime writings, originally published in London and Paris. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)