Showing results by author "CL Gammon" in All Categories

Murder, Mayhem, and Moonshine relates 75 true crime stories from Macon County, Tennessee between 1879 and 1939. These stories run the gamut of crime. Some are tragic, some bizarre, some grotesque, and some are a little humorous. Although all of the alleged crimes mentioned here took place decades ago, many of them detail the types of crimes that remain common today across the United States and the world. Besides murder, there are stories about child abduction, rape, bullying, domestic violence, racial problems, drunk driving, confidence games, and others.

This book is about the resort at Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee from 1900 to 1945. Also, there are articles about its many famous visitors including a Speaker of the US House, and a jazz legend. It also explores the search for mythical gold and silver mines there and an archeologist’s efforts to prove that Neanderthal man inhabited nearby caves. There are many other items mentioned as well.

By any objective measure, the Articles of Confederation failed. In this book, historian CL Gammon analyzes the Articles of Confederation paragraph by paragraph and illustrates the inadequacies of America's first constitution.

This book follows the Sedley Alley case from the night he murdered Suzanne Collins until his execution by lethal injection at Nashville, Tennessee’s Riverbend Prison more than twenty years later. This book presents highlights of Alley’s mammoth court file of more than 50 volumes. It also references many media reports and almost 400 court opinions. The books takes a realistic look at the many defenses Alley adopted – from insanity to innocence – in the twenty-plus years he battled to avoid execution. It also deals bluntly with Tennessee’s current judicial system. However, this book...

The rape and murder of eight-year-old Cary Ann Medlin on September 1, 1979 shook Tennessee to the core. The particular cruelty and viciousness associated with the murder shocked and disgusted the citizens of the Volunteer State. The citizens of the state demanded justice. To the vast majority of Tennesseans, justice meant executing the murderer – and the quicker the better. Ultimate Penalty: Executing Robert Glen Coe is the true story of the events from the murder of Cary Ann Medlin on September 1, 1979 until the execution of Robert Glen Coe more than twenty years after he confessed to ...

This book takes a brief look at Macon County, Tennessee during World War II and some of the men and women that took part in it, either in direct combat or in support roles. It lists more than 900 soldiers, seamen, and Marines. It identifies some of those wounded or captured and includes brief articles on the soldiers that died in uniform. Those that served were as diverse a group as Macon County could offer. Some were Black, others were White; some were men, others were women; some were teenagers, others were past forty; some were well-to-do, others were dirt poor; some were college ...

According to the American Academy of Poets, “An epic is a long, often book-length, narrative in verse form that retells the heroic journey of a single person, or group of persons. Elements that typically distinguish epics include superhuman deeds, fabulous adventures, highly stylized language, and a blending of lyrical and dramatic traditions.”The Road from Bohemia to Westphalia does not meet all the criteria of an epic based upon the definition listed above. It is a long, book-length poem and it does tell the story of a journey. However, the reader will strain to find much heroism in ...

The First Continental Congress was in business from September 5 to October 26, 1774. In those fifty-two days, a group of fifty-six men laid the groundwork for American independence. This is their story.

Included in this little volume are a few of my life rules.Let me tell you that I am having fun with these life rules. Yet, some of them are actual words that I live by – sort of. All of these rules listed here do illustrate – in a very twisted way – how I look at things.Make no mistake; I am (mostly) playing the rules for laughs. If you are looking for something deep, or earthshaking, you will likely be disappointed.By the way, as silly as some of these rules are, some of them come from my daily life. I will let you guess as to which.I hope you enjoy this little volume and that it ...

Some people are bigger than life – they just are. Sidney Johnston Catts, Florida’s 22nd Governor was one of those people. In 1917, Catt became the first Governor of Florida since 1877 (during the period of Reconstruction) to represent a party other than the Democratic Party. As of this date, Catts remains the only person ever elected to a statewide office on the Prohibition ticket. However, Catts was more than just a “third-party” leader.Florida, as was the rest of America, was in turmoil for decades after the end of the Civil War. Racism, anti-foreignism, and anti-Catholicism were ...

This book is not about witch stories. It is a recounting of a few witch trials. Judges presided over some of these trials in courts of law; church officials conducted others. Some of those accused of witchery faced brutality and torture and some remained outcasts after their trials. On the other hand, many of the southern witches won their cases and some of them received damages from their abusers. In those cases where the accused stood before church leaders and their respective congregations, the penalty for witchcraft was excommunication. One can argue that a church proceeding is not a ...

This book discusses briefly the pandemic in Macon County, Tennessee. It also relates biographical information on all the 97 known victims of Spanish Influenza within Macon County’s borders between 1918 and 1920. Of course, the author also relates some details about the United States during the same period. This book is more than a recounting of death and despair. It offers the positive message that despite the difficulty caused by the pandemic, Macon County’s citizens went on, and the living, while never forgetting their loved ones, honored the victims by returning to normalcy as best ...

George “Big House” Baker is working a gruesome murder. At first, he is stymied because even though he knows who committed the murder, and hundreds of people saw it happen, no one will agree to testify. Then, a witness falls into his lap. However, the witness, fourteen year-old Lisa Moore, might not be able to hold up against the best criminal defense attorney in the state. The brilliant and ruthless attorney, Crafty Jack Newman, promised to get his client acquitted. However, Prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Marie Key attempts to match Newman, move for move. The BIG FIRE is a ...

In Simon the Accuser: A Christian Novel, CL Gammon tells the story of Simon Magus, his conflict with, and his accusations against Apostles Peter and Paul before Emperor Nero in Rome. Gammon wrote this short novel from a Christian point of view and should appeal to the faithful everywhere.

Satire is “the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.” American’s Zombie Counteraction Command is a Zombie book, but it is not a “traditional” Zombie book. There are too many of them now. It is a purely satirical work, but it does not employ the over-the-top, slapstick satire that is so common today. On the contrary, the satire found in this book is often subtle and sometimes obscure. In addition, the satire is sometimes humorous, but it is ...

America’s Fourteen Unknown Presidents explores the lives and careers of the fourteen men who served as President before the adoption of the United States Constitution. These largely unknown men served collectively from September 5, 1774 to April 30, 1789. They were sometimes referred to as “President of the Confederacy,” “President of Congress”, or “President of the United States in Congress Assembled.” We can better call them the “Unknown Presidents.” History has largely forgotten the acts preformed by these men while they were President. However, their accomplishments ...

I am a sucker for a good story and I was born into a family of great storytellers. Though I am a professional author, I am by no means the best storyteller in my family. I am not even close to the best. I also married into a family of storytellers. This makes me doubly blessed. In addition, Macon County, Tennessee is a place blessed with great stories to tell and great people willing to tell them. I lean on some of these people and their stories to provide me with entertainment and inspiration.The stories in this book, all of them bizarre in their own way, come to me from family members and...

In this brief book, bestselling author CL Gammon ranks the 50 worst College Football teams of all time in order from #50 to #1. Inside this book, the reader will find a snapshot look at each team, its Head Coach(s) and its best players. In addition, the author has provided each of these team’s schedules and has identified each team’s best and worst games.

America’s First Rules of War covers the 69 rules instituted by the Continental Congress to govern the Continental Army. Historian CL Gammon adds explanatory notes after each rule. In addition, Gammon provides background information and relates how George Washington was instrumental in drafting the rules before he became Commander in Chief.

This book details the use of “Mad Stones” in the attempt to prevent and cure rabies. It covers the years from about 1870 to 1925. It concentrates on Middle Tennessee, but it mentions cases from more than 20 other states as well.