Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table

Revolutionaries and Rebels; the Story of an American Family’s Fight for Freedom

by Jerry Barksdale

The long standing rules of literature define the book as a novel but it’s about history, family, the struggle to separate from Britain, and the fight for Southern independence. The story is told through the cautious eye of an author educated in law and, thriving on the details that separate each generation from the other and define the courage of an American family.

Jerry Barksdale, a member of our Round Table, weaves a tale through the experience of his forefathers; capturing, and amplifying the causes of the initial rebellion from England and all the antagonist views that separated farmer from slave holder, poor mountain people from land barons, and pulled communities in North Alabama together and apart. The book is also a study of the politics of the nation and the region; and the dramatic action that caused many southerners to pick up the sword and fight for their family and homes. There is hardly a battle or skirmish that is not touched upon in some fashion. It is a history of the United States in 498 pages.

For student of war that enjoy the drama of battle, the author provides details through the eyes and the actions of his characters resulting in perspective on hunger, personal tragedy, silent victory over fear, and perseverance in a Union prison. It is easy to become engrossed in the dialogue of all his characters yet feel the passion of a diary or letter describing a special event or incident.  He makes the space to insure each place and description is illustrated within the greater perspective of war.

If you want to lean back and learn about American history and North Alabama the fun and easy way, this narrative of history as a novel brings life to events like few others.  Jerry Barksdale and other authors will be selling books at our book sale on May 8.

The reviewer: Arley McCormick is the Newsletter Editor for the Tennessee Valley Civil War Round Table, a former soldier, consultant, and operations and training analyst. He contributed articles to the Military Review, published by the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS and is the author of numerous reports on the operations of the United States Army Europe.