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Stonewall Jackson: The Black Man's Friend

Contact: Tracy Ford, publicist, Cumberland House Publishing, 615-832-1171x14, tford@cumberlandhouse.com

 

NASHVILLE, Feb. 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- A fascinating subject anytime, an interview with this author is particularly suited for Black History Month--call to schedule your interview today.

 

What this book is about: This book is the result of four years of in-depth research and focuses on Jackson's relationship with 19th century African-Americans, including his family slaves and his famous "colored Sabbath-school." The book was completed in November of 2005, exactly 150 years from the time Jackson started his successful Sunday school.

 

The book examines:

 

  • Jackson's youthful pangs regarding slavery

  • The Christian faith of the family's slaves that influenced him for Christ

  • The influence of the Gospel on Southern African-Americans

  • His prayer meetings with slaves and free blacks in Lexington, Virginia

  • The genesis of Jackson's black Sunday school class

  • The lasting fruit of those efforts

  • What blacks in Jackson's day thought of his efforts on their behalf, despite the evils of slavery

 

  • What blacks today think of those same efforts

 

Additional talking points:

 

  • Williams' African-American teacher who taught him Virginia history first introduced the author to Stonewall Jackson in recently desegregated Waynesboro, VA schools in the 4th grade (1968).

  • Jackson and his wife broke the law by teaching slaves to read.

  • He owned slaves, yet he once told a boyhood friend that he believed slaves 'should be free and have a chance' and that they  '…should be taught to read so that they could read the Bible.'

  • The slaves owned by his Uncle Cummins Jackson most likely first stimulated Jackson's interest in Christianity.

 

Most recent publicity:

 

  • Director Ken Carpenter and co-producer Mark Stubblefield are filming a documentary titled, "Stonewall Jackson: His Fight Before the War" for Franklin Films and due for release in summer 2007. Richard G. Williams was interviewed for the film as it is based on his book.  You may view the documentary trailer at either of the following sites: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpxoCehvu7o or www.franklinsprings.com/stjtrailer/

 

  • Marvin Olasky includes Williams' book in World magazine's "Wintry treadmill: New books challenge views of the past, assumptions about the future" Feb. 3rd issue.

 

Main themes of the book:

 

  • The influence of friendships on eternity

 

  • The poetic justice of the story – God turning evil to good

 

  • The overall irony of this man, his story, and his legacy

 

You may learn more about the book at Cumberland's web site.

 

Richard G. Williams lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.


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