Jack Hinson's One-Man War

By: Tom C. McKenney

Narrated by: David Colacci

Length: 14 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

A quiet, wealthy plantation owner, Jack Hinson watched the start of the Civil War with disinterest. Opposed to secession and a friend to Union and Confederate commanders alike, he did not want a war. After Union soldiers seized and murdered his sons, placing their decapitated heads on the gateposts of his estate, Hinson could remain indifferent no longer. He commissioned a special rifle for long-range accuracy, he took to the woods, and he set out for revenge.

This remarkable biography presents the story of Jack Hinson, a lone Confederate sniper who, at the age of 57, waged a personal war on Grant's army and navy. The result of 15 years of scholarship, this meticulously researched work is the only account of Hinson's life ever recorded and involves an unbelievable cast of characters, including the Earp brothers, Jesse James, and Nathan Bedford Forrest.

©2009 Tom C. McKenney (P)2016 Tantor

Historically accurate Nonfiction as captivating as Author's prose

As a special forces veteran, kudos to the author for his captivating writing style, history research, and insight into combat and sniper TTP - all intricate to this little known piece of the Civil War. Also: outstanding narration.

An obscure chapter of the Civil War

admirably researched and wonderfully revealed by the author. The scholarship is most refreshing...if only because it does not bow and genuflect at the altar of political correctness. The author is clearly a Confederate sympathizer, but more important than his partisanship is his story of a father "on the other side" who does what most of us would be inclined to do, but probably would not. The author necessarily takes large liberties with the thoughts and reflections of the sniper - which are impossible to know - but he brings to light an often overlooked story of the conflict...that of the war ravaged southern citizen. Altogether, an excellent book on a breed of man tough, tragic and, finally, Noble.

Injustice Brings Revenge

This is a great story about a man horribly wronged. I would have given it a higher rating but there were several times where the writing was very tedious and repetitive. This was especially so when the author would try to read the main character's thoughts.

This true story was incredible.

This book gave a vivid description of what it was like to exist during such a monumental time period. The unique description of Jack helped me wrap my head around the many personal reasons why and how sides were chosen during the Civil War. The situation was extensively more serious and complex than my high-school history class had ever explained. There were real legitimate reasons to be a confederate that had nothing to do with slavery or politics. Very fascinating story. I highly recommend this book.

Great story, but hard to get into at first

This is a great story about a very fascinating individual and period of our history. It was a bit difficult for me to get interested in at the beginning, because there were so many inner twined details clouding the story and making it less-than-interesting to follow, at least initially. However, in other ways, the details given really painted a full picture as you get into Jack’s adventures in later chapters.

By the end of the book, I was left feeling very melancholy - yearning to see and experience the history so vividly painted by this book, but also left feeling sad in hearing the life endings to Jack Hinson and his whole family lineage. A very real, almost tangible, and nearly sorrowful ending, as a piece of history is vividly explained while simultaneously knowing that so many of these people, and much of the time frame in history they represent, has slipped into forgotten obscurity.

Great book, tragic tale.

It really does a good job of illustrating the realities of America’s darkest cruelest war.

great story, unique perspective

wish it was longer, and would love to know where the detailed info comes from. great book.

A very good book

As a sniper in Viet Nam, really enjoyed this book. The history of the Civil War, the area in that theatre of the War was fabulous.

Half setting up, half story

Hinson storyline was great. Half of the book was historical back story though. It was good but two different feels almost.

THIS BOOK WAS GREAT.

IF YOU ARE TAKING A LONG RIDE, THIS BOOK WILL KEEP YOU GOING! I LOVED IT.