History is the winner, boss or owner's story, a vision of reality - the truth - from where they stand. Anyone who aspires to learn about the past, whether from an ancestor's journey or a nation's development, needs to be respectively attentive to a variety of sources.
The most available information is the winner's story. The honesty ethic requires the researcher or storyteller to seek to find and to listen to the loser, tenant, or hired hand's story. These folk often don't have the resources or positions to record their version of events. Nevertheless, they have truths to tell. Their perspective is not as accessible as the winner's history but if the researcher tries, the loser's history can be found. This acquisition depends on openness to unconventional sources - songs, myths, legends, oral traditions, subversive ideas, anti-social activities and attitudes, lawlessness and counter culture literature. At a personal level an application of a form of the Golden Rule is helpful - "How would it appear or feel to me if I were . . .?" A phrase from my childhood comes in handy - "Imagine that!" Indeed, imagine that.
This story is not a conventional, traditional or academic history. It is a historical novel. It is as factual as I could manage to discover from the works of serious scholars, as well as to discern from the accounts by the real historical participants in my story.
Heroism, romance, dignity and idealism are part of this story. Contemporary cynicism and our inherent, mostly subconscious, fear, estrangement, sloth and selfishness hold those elements in contempt. Yet there are those "better angels of our nature", Mr. Lincoln bore witness to, that inspire many lives both yesterday and today. Thank goodness. Life is barren, hateful and devoid of community without such.
Conflict, evil, compromise and self-delusion are equally present in this story. If these elements are not harsh enough it might be because they are too often over-emphasized for the sake of a counter-dependent need by some authors. I choose to hope rather than to despair.
The Mockingbird's Ballad is a story that blends my memories and unconscious impressions of my Tennessee ancestors, family and friends. The names, qualities and personalities of these characters are mixed composites of those I love and live connected to and have lived and are related still. Three generations of my blood and spirit are provided voices to describe their times, ideas and feelings.
Is it true? Who's truth?
I believe it is real. That is a quality I value as an imperative. Besides, truth is subjective and inconclusive. I suggest to you that the story is a memoir and history of a time and people Thank you's are extended to many folks who inform my life and sustain my living. They are blessed and bless.