The Cotton Belt

Writing the book “The Cotton Belt,” was a seven year intermittent project for the author, which includes six books within: “The Tobacco Kings,” “The Cotton Belt,” “Colored and White,” “The Vanquished Plantations,” “Voices out of Saigon,” and an updating book called “The Old Folks” (1650 to 2012) all interlinking, creating an amazing saga; which gravitates towards the South. Each book contains its own chapters, or episodes, having its own theme or technique.

The main families involved are one time plantation owners, although we have Captain Peron, owner of a brig; Mississippi Blue, the gambler; and Sergeant Hood, the scoundrel; all colorful characters. The families being: the Abernathys, Hightowers, Wallaces, Ritts (bankers) and the Smileys, living between Fayetteville, North Carolina, Ozark, Alabama, and New Orleans, with unforgettable characters, such as: Old Josh, Langdon, Burgundy, the Wallace brothers, Ashley, and Witty; from ‘Voices out of Saigon,’ and out of Cambodia, we have: Zuxin, Ming and Sergeant Carter (a Minnesotan).

This is the author’s 4th Volume, of his Natural Writings.

At the back of the book, the author has added four poems: Many Windows, Mother of the Night Sky, Three Shot Espresso, and Common Sides. Being awarded by declaration—five times Poet Laureate.