The Real Jefferson Davis

"The Real Jefferson Davis" by Landon Knight is a biography that explores the life of Jefferson Davis, the Confederate president, from his birth and education to his political and military roles. The book aims to offer a balanced view of Davis, who was often seen as either a villain in the North or a hero in the South. It looks at how his upbringing and experiences shaped him, leading to his actions during the Civil War, and examines his motives within the context of secession and loyalty to the Constitution. The author begins by showing the different ways people viewed Davis after the war, setting the stage for a more complex understanding of his life and legacy.