True Kentucky Legends

by Robert A. Powell

True Facts behind the Legends Author artist Robert A. Powell reveals the exciting true story behind 16 Kentucky Legends, which are among the favorites in American folklore. Separating fact from myth is not always easy; however, the truth is positively fascinating in every instance. Most of the names should be quite familiar, and perhaps even some of the stories, but many of the actual facts behind the stories will probably surprise you and the interesting details of the story that made them a legend will offer interesting facts in every situation. The Legends Casey Jones, Legend of the Rails; Hatfields & McCoys, A Bitter Mountain Feud; Cassius Clay, Lion of Whitehall; Daniel Boone, Frontier Hero or American Traitor?; Ephraim McDowell, Father of Abdominal Surgery; Nathan Stubblefield, Kentucky Farmer & Inventor; Col. Eben C. Henson, Alligator Wrestler in Central Kentucky; Alben Barkley, The Man Who Would Be President; Gen. John Hunt Morgan, Thunderbolt of the Confederacy; Adolph Rupp, Baron of the Bluegrass; Harland Sanders, The Image of a Kentucky Colonel; Jenny Wiley, Tenacious Frontier Courage; Man O’ War, Legend of a Thoroughbred Champion; Abraham Lincoln, Kentucky’s Favorite Son?; Jefferson Davis, Father of the Confederacy; Stephen Foster & My Old Kentucky Home. This outstanding volume is profusely illustrated with old photos and pen-ink drawings by the author.

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

The distinctive art and writing of Robert A. Powell has long been acclaimed as a dynamic force in capturing and depicting vibrant images of Kentucky's remarkable history and heritage. His track record includes 35 published books, plus hundreds of art prints, sketchbook calendars, and articles about Kentucky subjects. A native Kentuckian Robert A. Powell grew up in the Appalachian foothills of Powell County and the Bluegrass country in Fayette County. RAP is an author, historian, teacher, photographer, speaker and artist.
Among his many honors and citations, Robert A. Powell was selected as one of the original Kentucky Heritage Artists in 1972, and was named Author of the Year by the Kentucky School Librarians in 1985. Proclaimed by the Lexington Herald-Leader as "quite likely the most influential popular chronicler of Kentucky in recent years" Powell's newest book Historic Kentucky Bluegrass, is "like a pocket portfolio" depicting a series of some 100 landmarks in the 17 Bluegrass counties of central Kentucky that have impacted our American heritage. It contains illustrations by Powell in his unique pen-ink style that shows why his work is so popular.