Good Rebel Soil: The Champ Ferguson Story

by Troy D. Smith

To some he was a brutal thug, a heartless murderer -a monster. To others he was a protector, a beloved martyr to the Confederate cause -a hero. To a few he was a family man, a good old boy caught up in passions beyond his control -a man. He was all these things, and more. He was an American tragedy. He was Champ Ferguson.

360 pages, Paperback

First published September 26, 2002

About the author

Troy D. Smith was born in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee in 1968. He has waxed floors, moved furniture, been a lay preacher, and taught high school and college. He writes in a variety of genres, achieving his earliest successes with westerns -his first published short story appeared in 1995 in Louis L'Amour Western Magazine, and he won the Spur Award in 2001 for the novel Bound for the Promise-Land (being a finalist on two other occasions.) He is currently teaching American history at Tennessee Tech, and serving as president of Western Fictioneers -the first national writing organization devoted exclusively to fiction about the Old West.

Reviews

[Jeffrey Philips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. This story tells the horribleness of the Civil War and how if changed Champ Ferguson into a ruthless killer. And also, tells of his steadfast love for his wife and daughter. It will tug at your heart.

[Deanna Lack · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent yarn was made all the more fun by the fact that I live in Sparta, Tennessee, and know many of the locations in the book.

Told from the perspective (and in the engaging voice) of Champ himself, the book follows the protagonist as he goes from politically unconcerned to being coerced to fight for the Confederates, to passionate about the cause.

Described in Kentucky historical markers as a "terrorist" and by people in his hometown as a hero, he certainly cuts a colorful figure across the backdrop of the Civil War.

I intend to drop by White County's little history museum to spot references to Champ after having read this, and if you're ever in town, you should too. Come by and sit a spell.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read books of this genre but I loved Good Rebel Soil. It was a very exciting fiction story that Smith beautifully captures and describes. The story goes from almost humorous to heart-wrenching. Champ Ferguson was a guerilla warrior in the Civil War, but he was also a family man. The book tells of his life throughout the war and the revenge he took on the Union soldiers that mistreated his wife and daughter. Troy Smith tells a story so real that you will want to learn more about the infamous Champ Ferguson. A must read!