Sons of pride

"Spanning over sixty years, from 1805 to 1866, 'Sons of pride' recreates the early history of New Madrid County, Missouri, when the powerful Phillips clan holds absolute sway over man, prairie and swamp. Encountering the likes of hunter Tom Laforge, river pirate Tolly Mason, penitent Isham Lewis, nephew of Thomas Jefferson, cardsharper Dr. Anacreon Moore, and a host of other colorful characters, the sons of pride are finally undone by overreaching and the War of 1861, until reborn by the sudden appearance of wandering Jim Ruby, a lighter spirit. Through the lineaments of local history, the author fashions a vivid record of antebellum Missouri, a humorous tale that deftly blends truth with fiction."--Page 4 of cover.