Books with author Mark Cheatham

Many Americans view Andrew Jackson as a frontiersman who fought duels, killed Indians, and stole another man's wife. Historians have traditionally presented Jackson as a man who struggled to overcome the obstacles of his backwoods upbringing and helped create a more democratic United States. In his compelling new biography of Jackson, Mark R. Cheathem argues for a reassessment of these long-held views, suggesting that in fact "Old Hickory" lived as an elite southern gentleman. Jackson grew up along the border between North Carolina and South Carolina, a district tied to Charleston, where the city's gentry engaged in the transatlantic marketplace. Jackson then moved to North Carolina, where he joined various political and kinship networks that provided him with entrée into society. In fact, Cheathem contends, Jackson had already started to assume the characteristics of a southern gentleman by the time he arrived in Middle Tennessee in 1788.After moving to Nashville, Jackson further ensconced himself in an exclusive social order by marrying the daughter of one of the city's cofounders, engaging in land speculation, and leading the state militia. Cheathem notes that through these ventures Jackson grew to own multiple plantations and cultivated them with the labor of almost two hundred slaves. His status also enabled him to build a military career focused on eradicating the nation's enemies, including Indians residing on land desired by white southerners. Jackson's military success eventually propelled him onto the national political stage in the 1820s, where he won two terms as president. Jackson's years as chief executive demonstrated the complexity of the expectations of elite white southern men, as he earned the approval of many white southerners by continuing to pursue Manifest Destiny and opposing the spread of abolitionism, yet earned their ire because of his efforts to fight nullification and the Second Bank of the United States.By emphasizing Jackson's southern identity -- characterized by violence, honor, kinship, slavery, and Manifest Destiny -- Cheathem's narrative offers a bold new perspective on one of the nineteenth century's most renowned and controversial presidents.

Earth is a small part of an enormous (possibly infinite) universe, so theres a good chance we are not the only intelligent life forms within it. Some people believe there are not only aliens in outer space, but that they visit Earth from time to time. Readers will find out some of the facts and fiction behind alien abductions and follow the tale of one of the first documented cases where a couple claimed to have seen a UFO and been taken aboard the spacecraft by aliens. We may never know the explanation for what they claimed to have experienced, but their story will spark the imaginations and curiosity of young readers.

Its thrilling to listen to spooky tales by the light of the fire, and no tales are spookier than those about people who turn into werewolves when the moon is full. This exciting volume looks at some of the legends surrounding werewolves and then follows a true tale of a mysterious beast that ravaged the countryside in south-central France in the mid-1700s, killing at least 60 people. The book includes interesting facts about werewolf lore as well as a page that gives readers a taste of more werewolf stories and will keep readers howling for more.

Nothing sends a tingle up the spine in quite the same way as a good zombie story. We have all heard the familiar stories of slow-moving undead that want to eat our brains, but what if there really were zombies? This book gives a nod to the familiar tales of walking dead and then dives into a creepy and very true tale of a man who was made into a zombie by a voodoo witch doctor and somehow returned to tell the tale. Young readers, even reluctant ones, are sure to be enticed by this fascinating look into the lives of the dead.

In the summer of 1910, Trudy Cameron witnesses the aftershock of an event that will disturb her for the rest of her life. It is more than the consequences of the crime that concern her. Cruelty dominates the evolving social system of the South, the only home she knows. Manuela Blayne is the story of one suffering for another. Never will she comprehend all the hurt suffered by her friend Manuela, but Trudy wants to understand. She witnesses, firsthand, what forgiveness can be. She observes hardships she has never imagined. Trudy is always honest with herself about her emotions. She speaks about her story from the eyes of a child who has not been poisoned by social constructs of racial inequality. But in a world that denies mercy to her friend, will Trudy’s faith shrink or blossom? In this poignant and gripping novella, a new day dawns for Trudy Cameron. She develops a heightened sensitivity to others around her who endure the hurts brought on by circumstances she tries to influence. Trudy starts to realize she cannot change everything; she cannot fix all the bad in her world. At the same time, she develops a streak of mischief. Sometimes she is shocked by her own behavior. As she grows up fast, she finds emotions within herself she didn't expect. Manuela Blayne is the fourth book in the Covington Chronicles. It is a complete story that stands alone. To understand some of the characters fully, however, it would be beneficial to read The Dream Bucket first. Come spend some time with the Bentons and Camerons. Delight in the parenting skills of Samuel Benton, as he tries to distract Trudy from her anguish over Manuela Blayne. Have a dish of ice cream in the Covington and float on a watermelon in the swimming hole at Hot Coffee. Witness the mischief Trudy dares not confess to her parents.

Ghosts and other things that go bump in the night can cause some big scares, but also some great stories. In this chilling volume, readers will find out some of the legends and lore surrounding these spirits that aren’t quite ready to rest peacefully. Aspiring ghost hunters will also enjoy a graphic retelling of the famous Bell witch haunting, as they learn to piece together fact and fiction.

It’s thrilling to listen to spooky tales by the light of the fire, and no tales are spookier than those about people who turn into werewolves when the moon is full. This exciting volume looks at some of the legends surrounding werewolves and then follows a true tale of a mysterious beast that ravaged the countryside in south-central France in the mid-17s, killing at least 6 people. The book includes interesting facts about werewolf lore as well as a page that gives readers a taste of more werewolf stories and will keep readers howling for more.

Manuela Blayne, a novella, is the fourth book in the Covington Chronicles. It is a complete story that stands alone. To understand some of the characters fully, however, it would be beneficial to read The Dream Bucket first. Manuela Blayne is the story of one suffering for another.A new day dawns for Trudy Cameron. She develops a heightened sensitivity to others around her who endure the hurts brought on by circumstances she tries to influence. Trudy starts to realize she cannot change everything, she cannot fix all the bad in her world. At the same time she develops a streak of mischief. Sometimes she is shocked by her own behavior. As she grows up fast, she finds emotions within herself she didn't expect. In the summer of 1910, Trudy Cameron witnesses the aftershock of an event that will disturb her the rest of her life.It is more than the consequences of the crime that concern her. Cruelty dominates the evolving social system of the South, the only home she knows.Never will she comprehend all the hurt suffered by her friend Manuela Blayne, but Trudy wants to understand. She witnesses firsthand what forgiveness can be. She observes hardships she has never imagined. In a world that denies mercy to her friend, will Trudy’s faith shrink or blossom? She is always honest with herself about her emotions. Trudy tells her story in first person. Come spend some time with the Bentons and Camerons. Delight in the parenting skills of Samuel Benton, as he tries to distract Trudy from her anguish over Manuela Blayne. Have a dish of ice cream in the Covington and float on a watermelon in the swim hole at Hot Coffee. Witness the mischief Trudy dares not confess to her parents.