All Other Nights

Summary (from the publisher): "How is tonight different from all other nights? For Jacob Rappaport, a Jewish soldier in the Union army during the Civil War, it is a question his commanders have already answered for him - on Passover, 1862, he is ordered to murder his own uncle in New Orleans, who is plotting to assassinate President Lincoln. After this harrowing mission, Jacob is recruited to pursue another enemy agent, the daughter of a Virginia family friend. But this time, his assignment isn't to murder the spy, but to marry her." Based on real personalities such as Judah Benjamin, the Confederacy's Jewish secretary of state and spymaster, and on historical facts and events ranging from an African American spy network to the dramatic self-destruction of the city of Richmond, All Other Nights is a story of men and women driven to the limits of loyalty and betrayal. It is also a parable of the rift in America that lingers a century and a half later: between those who value family and tradition first, and those dedicated, at any cost, to social and racial justice for all.

Review: This novel follows Jacob Rappaport, a young Jewish solder who is recruited to be a spy for the Union army during the Civil War. After murdering his own uncle at Union command, Jacob is ordered to marry Jeannie Levy, a suspected Confederate spy. 

Although the plot of this novel was intriguing and it was well researched, the execution fell flat. I found the narration style stilted and unnatural, and it ultimately kept me from ever enjoying the story. There was a glaring lack of character development, as well. It's difficult to feel involved in a story when you can't establish a connection to any of the characters. 

I did enjoy the Jewish slant to this novel. I have never considered Jews' treatment or role in the United States' history during the Civil War. However, other than his  treatment due to his Jewish heritage, it was difficult to feel compassion for Jacob. I don't know that I have ever encountered a more cowardly protagonist. Jacob consistently allows others dictate what his life will be like rather than standing up for what he wants or knows to be right. This starts at the very beginning of the novel when his father arranges for him to marry the half witted daughter of a business associate and rather than saying no to his father, Jacob runs away to join the army. The worst thing Jacob does because he's told is turn in his pregnant wife as a Confederate spy, even after she spares his life, and begs him not too. I found Jacob weak and rather irritating. To top it all off, this novel had an unsatisfactory, and rather abrupt, conclusion. 

Stars: 2