Mike, I have an avid interest in the Read expedition, and several other aspects of the CSS FLORIDA's cruise, especially since obtaining a xerox copy of an obscure journal by one of her crew, Albert L. Drayton (his journal is mentioned as being taken, when he was captured by the Union authorities, at Maine, in the ORN), and this book seems of some interest.
However, I note several inconsistencies, and if these are reflective of the book, then I think I will continue obtaining copies of original documentation, and other items relating to these matters, instead of relying on second or third hand accounts.
Two such errors I note are in the first name of Alexander, which was actually Joseph W., and not John, as well as the indiction that his escape, together with Thurston, was successful. As a matter of fact, both of them were re-captured some days later, and returned, via Portland jail, to Fort Warren. Joseph Alexander's own account of his escape attempt was published in the New England Magazine, volume 13, issue 2, of October, 1892. As well, there was an investigative report of the escape written by John A. Bolles, and published in Harpers New Monthly Magazine, volume 28, issue 167, of April, 1864, some few months after the escape. Both Bolles and Alexander mention that there were also two others, Nicholas Pryde and Thomas Sherman, who escaped from the facility on that day. Pryde, who had originally served on the CSS Virginia, and later on the CSS Florida, is later mentioned, in another obscure account, as having been successful in his escape. Sherman, who was a Union sailor who had been imprisoned for uttering treasonous sentiments, is not heard of, again, after the escape.
As I have found, in recent times, it is best not to rely solely on current accounts, some written by authors who claim to be experts on the subjects they are supposed to research. My experiences refer especially to accounts of Clarence Randolph Yonge, William Param Brooks and Charles Godwin (all of the CSS Alabama), all written by an English gentleman who constantly claims to thoroughly know his subject, yet all these accounts are replete with errors. Because of these numerous errors, I think it is most advisable to go further, when reading such accounts, and obtain copies of original documentation, which can prove or disprove statements in these second and third hand accounts.
The ORN also includes some additional data on Brain, which is of some interest, and this should be consulted further, when reading the Mason Philip Smith book.