"A little known but fascinating slice of American history. . . . Well written, well read, and well researched. The true South is revealed."
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The Boston Globe "Lively. . . . Jenkins and Stauffer bring historical contexts to life and offer provocative interpretations."
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The New York Times Book Review "Moving and powerful. . . . An important story that personalizes what remains abstract and counterintuitive in much of our received history of the Civil War, even as we approach its 150th anniversary."
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The Washington Post "Informed. . . . Impressive. . . . The saga is related in fascinating detail."
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "Just when you thought you had heard it all about the Civil War, along comes this astonishing tale of rebellion within the heart of rebel territory. This is a riveting and memorable read about resistance, courage, love and, most of all, the long trail of justice and injustice in the American South. I couldn't put it down."
--Tom Brokaw
"Jenkins and Stauffer have brought fresh attention to a little-known and interesting sidebar of Civil War history."
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Wall Street Journal "Fascinating. . . . The book fittingly combines crisp narrative with exhaustive historical context. . . . Jenkins and Stauffer succeed in telling the complex history of the Civil War, and its disastrous Reconstruction aftermath, through the steely eyes of this crusty old man."
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Minneapolis Star-Tribune "A richly detailed, riveting and revealing account of this long-forgotten rebellion within a rebellion."
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Tulsa World "History at its finest and most captivating. The documentation is meticulous, yet this gem of a book reads like a novel, with a revelation at every turn. Jenkins and Stauffer have proved once again that the real history of this country is far more complex and fascinating than the prevailing mythology."
--David Maraniss, author of
They Marched Into Sunlight and
When Pride Still Mattered "Exceedingly readable and informative."
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Denver Post "Jenkins and Stauffer dug deep into state and military records to spin this fascinating yarn, and their bibliography is augmented by extensive (and intriguing) notes. . . .
The State of Jones is a treasure. It's a window into an obscure corner of Mississippi's history and an account that further challenges myths of a South unified behind a 'glorious' cause."
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The Virginian-Pilot "Jenkins and Stauffer tell the fascinating tale of an unforgettable figure. . . . They follow the Knight family's extraordinary lives over the course of six decades and in the process open a window onto a forgotten corner of the American landscape."
--Philip B. Kunhardt III, co-author of
Looking for Lincoln "Here is the Civil War as it really was. You can't fully know America's epic until you've read this powerful book."
--David Von Drehle, author of
Triangle: The Fire That Changed America "Highly recommended to Civil War aficionados. . . . The story is quite intriguing and will keep the reader looking forward to the next page."
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The Oklahoman "Jones and Stauffer tell this story with verve and insight, providing a richly detailed, dramatic narrative that is a valuable contribution to the historical literature."
--James Simon, author of
Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney "An entertaining, informative book about a courageous group of Southerners clearly ahead of their time. It offers a refreshing look at the issues surrounding the Civil War, and some delightful surprises for even the most knowledgeable history buff."
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BookPage "Gripping. . . . Lively. . . . [Knight's] story is sad but fascinating, a little known chapter in the history of the Deep South. Jenkins and Stauffer tell it well."
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The Advocate (Baton Rouge)
"A marvelous story of loyalty and treason, race and blood, war and peace.
The State of Jones is as compelling as it is unlikely, a tale of insurrection that illuminates the larger insurrection of our Civil War."
--Rick Atkinson, author of
An Army at Dawn "In
The State of Jones, Jenkins and Stauffer locate the real Civil War--and the story of our greatest national trial--in all of its specificity and moral complexity. . . . Their intuition about why history of this kind matters is unfailing."
--Steve Coll, author of
Ghost Wars