All Other Nights

Dara Horn's novel, "All Other Nights," is a fascinating tale of the American Jewish communities, north and south, at the time of the civil war. This large book opens with Northern Private Jacob Rappaport whose superior officers request him to journey as a spy to New Orleans to murder his own uncle. Privates don't often refuse a request/command of superior officers. In this case, Private Rappaport also imagines promotion. While the action of "All Other Nights" is centered about the tension in the midst of spy rings on both sides, the underlying "back story" is the relationships of people both north and south and their choice of loyalty whether to family or to country. After he successfully poisons his uncle, young Rappaport, now a sergeant, is next sent as a spy to Virginia where he must court and marry the daughter of an old family friend in order to spy upon that family's spying activities. Sergeant Rappaport does just that, but steps outside the assignment to actually fall in love with his target wife. later, he is discovered and must sneak back to the north to save his life. In his escape, he is nearly killed, but lives with half his face permanently scarred, the loss of an eye, and badly damaged legs. We follow this character not yet 22 years old as he faces a life of disability and disfigurement. This time, the assignment is to rejoin his old New York unit now based in Tennessee and to infiltrate the spy network of yet another old family friend who plans to kidnap President Lincoln. A plot of amazing twists and turns, author Horn has the reader "right there -- in the action" and her research is so thorough and novel so well written we're persuaded every word is factually correct. There are also amazing details seldom revealed, e.g., in December of 1862, General Ulysses S. Grant ordered all non-military Jews out of Tennessee. I consider this book to be a major addition to my library of American Historical Fiction. Of a topic that is rare, the author's characters are complex and real, believable people not cardboard heroes and heroines. We see them shaped and grow with their experiences and we suffer just as they do under the skilled pen of an extraordinary writer. As an addicted historical fiction freak, I am delighted to see the attention given to non-Christian Americans, an infrequent topic in the genre. Furthermore, the authors use of language is precise and elegant, describing the horrors of war and what people do to people. Finally an aspect of historical fiction that is not often discussed is that the portrayal of the past sometimes invites us to look at contemporary events in a different way. Ms. Horn's presentiation of "All Other Nights" may make it easier to understand -- maybe even tolerate -- some current American political events. Just seeing that today's events are not new may take the sting out of troublesome contemporary events. Whatever your personal political point of view, "All Other Nights" is a must for a refresh

I read this because I knew I would have the opportunity to hear the author. It was so much more than I expected. Interesting read, well structured book, characters that I cared about, and learned a lot about the civil war and the Jewish community at the same time. A good read!!

This is one of the most unusual books I have ever read, in a good way. I found the main character, Jacob, who is a Jewish soldier, to be intriguing. It seemed like he didn't have a real sense of self at first, as though he was still discovering his identity. He says several times "the Jacob I knew was gone, and new one was in his place" I found this to be one of the more interesting aspects of the novel. The reader gets to watch as the character evolves into a unique person through the course of the book. Second, I found the woman he was "assigned" to marry to be very interesting, her family even more strange and engrossing. Jacob is told that this woman is a spy, and he needs to marry her to find out important information so she can be captured. Unfortunately, she and her family are some of the most bizarre characters I've encountered yet. It reminded me slightly of Charles Dickens, and his slough of unusual people that pop up in his books. This family has 4 daughters and a rather absent father. The oldest turned down several marriage proposals, one on their wedding day. The second oldest, Jacob's target wife, was rumored to be an actress and has sticky fingers. The third daughter likes puzzles and says everything in palindromes. The youngest is simply a little girl. Overall, this was a truly remarkable book that I found difficult to set down, even for a moment to get a sip of iced tea. Jacob has an extraordinary life, and the reader will be sucked into his life and feel as though they are acting out the story themselves. The writing style was very easy to read, and there were not many detailed, flowing descriptions, like in "Gone With the Wind". I think any Civil War buff or anyone that enjoys a Historical novel will find this very engaging. I'd say this is one of the best novels I have read all year!

The 'Four Questions' text asks "Why is this night different from all other nights?" Jacob Rappaport is assured in "All Other Nights" that "What you allow to happen on one night will happen on all other nights as well." Which is it? Jacob's redemption hangs in the balance. Ms. Horn has written a wonderfully researched, compelling piece of historical fiction. Who thinks about Jews in America during the Civil War, much less Jews as spies or Confederates? If you'd like to go to a place and time about which you've not given a moment's thought, check out this book. Beautifully written, it's an absorbing read and thought-provoking as well. Ms. Horn joins Anita Diamant as a top-notch chronicler of Jewish life as it may well have been.

Horn, Dara. "All Other Nights" A Novel", W.W. Norton, 2009. Moral Struggles Amos Lassen Just in time for the Passover season, we get Dara Horn's "All Other Nights" an epic novel that deals with moral struggles during the American Civil War. Jacob Rappaport is a Jewish officer in the Union army. He has been commanded to murder his uncle who is plotting the assassination of the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. The date for the murder is set for Passover, 1862. Upset, Jacob realizes what he has to do but that is just the beginning. He realizes that he can no longer speak for himself and that he must do what he is ordered to do. His next assignment is to go on another mission but this time there is no murder plot; instead he must marry a spy. Dara Horn gives us a new look at Civil War history. We see it through the eyes of Rappaport and we also get a taste of the moral divide that in many ways is still with us. Is it family that is the most important thing in our lives or are we obligated to the dedication to our country? This is a fascinating character study which is brought to us through the layers of history. I was held captive by the writing style and the character of Jacob Rappaport. Horn gives us a fine novel that, even though it is set in a different time, deals with many of the issues with which we deal today.