Customer Reviews

Good Rebel Soil: The Champ Ferguson Story

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Like another novel by Troy Smith, Bound for the Promise-Land, this story features a complex and intriguing central character. One of the things that interested me about the novel was the fact that the main character, Champ Ferguson, was a real person. He fought in the Civil War, but not as a regular soldier -- he was closer to a guerilla warrior. It turns out he was one of only two confederate fighters not to receive amnesty after the war. It was also an intriguing story to me because I live in the small rural Tennessee town where Champ had his headquarters (though not the town he was originally from). The book grapples very effectively with the issues that his guerilla status brings up. The reader is asking the question throughout the book, "Is Champ a soldier or just a common criminal set loose by circumstance?" I would recommend this story not just because of the interesting questions it brings up, nor simply for the rich historical detail (there is a lot of it), but also because it is a very lively and exciting story.

GOOD REBEL SOIL-THE CHAMP FERGUSON STORY is an exciting Civil War story of not the many major battles that took place in this great conflict, but is a natative and insightful look at guerilla warfare. Troy weaves a tale of both revenge by Champ for the disgrace suffered by his wife and daughter and his fight to protect his home land. GOOD REBEL SOIL is a book that will keep you turning pages as you learn more aboutone of the lesser know figures of the Civil War.