The State Of Jones by Sally Jenkins

The Small Southern County that Seceded from the Confederacy

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, this historical narrative delves into the life of Newton Knight, a defiant Mississippi farmer who led a rebellion against the Confederacy. Disillusioned by the war's impact on the poor and the exploitation by wealthy plantation owners, Knight and his band of fellow deserters and runaway slaves established the "Free State of Jones," a sanctuary of resistance in the heart of the South. The story explores themes of loyalty, justice, and the complexities of race and class, painting a vivid picture of a lesser-known chapter in American history.