Michael R. Bradley received a PhD in United States History from Vanderbilt University in 1970. He taught at Motlow College in Tennessee from 1970 to 2006, when he retired. He continues to be active in writing and lecturing. Dr. Bradley is the author of twenty-two books dealing with U.S. history, including It Happened in the Civil War, Civil War Myths and Legends, It Happened in the Great Smokies, and Death in the Great Smoky Mountains, all published by Globe Pequot Press. He is currently at work on Great Smokies Myths and Legends to be published by Globe Pequot.