The Official Website of Author James Reger

NOW AVAILABLE ~ Baptism At Bull Run

In the tradition of Killer Angels and Gods and Generals, Reger offers a riveting glimpse of men in battle—their hopes and dreams, frustrations and fears as they meet and die in this inaugural clash
of arms. ~ Read More

About the Author ~
James P. Reger hails from a West Virginia family rich in Civil War history and lore. His great-great-grandfather joined Jeb Stuart's cavalry during the Peninsula campaign and did not sheath his saber until Appomattox. His grandfather's first cousin marched barefoot and fought hard with the Stonewall Brigade. A third ancestor died in a Northern prison camp. Even civilians in Reger's family tree endured hardships at the hands of raiders, guerillas, the home guard, and angry neighbors who had once been friends before the bitter divisions over the war afflicted their communities.

With all this human drama still a palpable presence around him growing up, it is little wonder that Reger became so enthralled with the era. His grandparents would captivate him with tales of children hiding livestock from both armies as they passed by; of being manhandled by drunken stragglers; of a young hired girl who broke everyone's heart
by running off to marry a soldier from the "wrong" side. Reger also heard tales of Stonewall Jackson's sister racing on horseback with his grandfather's mother and
sharing letters that she received from her famous brother in the field and how she took solace at his family farm when he died so tragic a death.

As soon as he was old enough, he began reading exhaustively about the war with the enthusiastic encouragement of his teachers. One, the granddaughter of the Gray Ghost, Col. John S. Mosby, shared books, maps, and even some of Mosby's artifacts, always wrapped in a spirited tale. Reger's perspective broadened considerably when another equally enthusiastic teacher, the granddaughter of a slave, introduced him to the deeply personal anguish of that miserable existence.

At about that time, his love affair with writing developed and he started writing his own stories, poetry, and essays on the war. His parents joined in by planning summer vacations around battlefield tours. He first visited Gettysburg at age eight and has since been there 26 times. By the time he had graduated from high school, Reger had read practically every book and article on the Civil War available through the three libraries
in his town.

Reger majored in U.S. history at West Virginia University with an emphasis on 19th century America. He minored in English with an emphasis on creative writing and was an active contributor of articles, poetry, and short fiction to various university publications. He also earned a credential for teaching social studies at the secondary level and now teaches U.S. history at the high school level in southern California. He writes every day and has published several books for the middle reader and young adult markets as well as many articles, essays, poems, and songs.

Reger's books include The Battle of Antietam, Life in the South During the Civil War, Generals of the Confederacy, The Indian Fighters, and Rebuilding Bosnia.

Read a Q & A interview with Author, James P. Reger