This Leavened Land: A Novel of the Civil War in East Tennessee

What if the truth about who you are, and what you believe, is revealed only when the world begins to burn?

In the spring of 1861, seventeen-year-old James Meecham is a simple farm boy born with a somewhat shortened left leg, a love of horses, and a heart full of questions about justice, loyalty, and manhood. Raised on a modest Tennessee farm, James sees the storm of war coming long before the cannons fire. But as family, neighbors, and childhood friends take sides, James must navigate a world torn apart-not just by North and South, but by the moral cost of slavery and the quiet heroism of those who dare to challenge it.

Through his eyes, we meet men like Absalom Johnson, a free Black livery owner with unshakable integrity, Jedidiah Johnson, a courageous and strong-willed free Black cooper, and a shackled Black field hand named Lucas, whose whispered plan for freedom tests the boundaries of conscience. At the center of it all is Charlotte, the judge’s daughter, whose poetry and pride stir something deeper in James than he’s ever felt before.

Rich in voice and vivid with detail, this coming-of-age tale captures the tensions of a nation on the brink-and the resilience of one boy learning what it means to face one’s fears and losses with courage and faith.

Perfect for fans of Cold Mountain and The Known World. Step into James Meecham’s world and discover a story of grit, grace, and the courage to do what’s right.

Buy your copy today and begin the journey.

Thomas Mauser was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He holds an undergraduate (BA) degree in Political Science from the University of Toronto and a graduate (Master of Social Science) degree in Political Science and History from Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. He spent nearly forty years working in the computer industry in a variety of technical and management roles before embarking on a second career as an English language teacher and tutor. Now retired, Thomas and his wife enjoy spending time outdoors. He continues to pursue his lifelong passion for history, with a particular interest in reading about the American Civil War and visiting Civil War battlefields.