Discover untold stories of resilience, hope, and the fight for justice during America’s Reconstruction Era.
Defiance: A Reckoning with the Dream delves into the Reconstruction-era of the Southern United States, and follows the life of the novel's protagonist, James Simms—a preacher, a teacher, a newspaper publisher, and a defiant advocate for justice. Through its vivid characters and deeply researched history, Defiance illuminates the courage and sacrifices of those who dared to challenge a system built to suppress them.
Set against the violent backdrop of the Camilla Massacre of 1868, the Thomas Simms case of 1851 and other seminal moments, the unyielding struggle for voting rights in this novel draws parallels from the past to the present, reminding us that the fight for equality remains unfinished.
In Defiance: A Reckoning with the Dream, key historical figures like Tunis Gulic Campbell, James Simms, and Henry McNeal Turner shine as pillars of courage in America’s first civil rights movement during the Reconstruction era. T.G. Campbell’s bold political organizing and James Simms’ mastery of the press and pulpit laid the groundwork for justice, while Henry McNeal Turner’s fiery sermons and political leadership galvanized a generation to demand equality.
Leaders like Thomas Simms, Monday Floyd, Edwin Belcher, and Romulus Moore frequently risked their lives to fight systemic oppression, while Minda Campbell, a matriarch whose quiet strength held her family and community together, exemplified resilience. This legacy was built on the foundations laid by a prior generation, including Reverend Andrew Cox Marshall, whose leadership and vision in the early 19th century inspired the fight for freedom and dignity. Together, these figures created a multigenerational legacy of defiance that resonates in the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Douglas Stuart McDaniel is a seasoned urbanist, historian, and storyteller who brings history to life through powerful narratives. His work challenges readers to confront the truths of the past and imagine more equitable futures.
He has previously authored five local history books, including works on Asheville, North Carolina, and Knoxville, Tennessee, as well as the historical literary anthology, A Woman Named Defiance: Selected Works by Mary Faith Floyd with her Novel, Eagle Bend (2018).
These books reflect McDaniel’s dedication to preserving regional heritage and amplifying often overlooked voices who have shaped American history. In this, his first fiction novel, Defiance: A Reckoning with the Dream, McDaniel turns his attention to the Reconstruction era, blending meticulous research with compelling dramatic narrative to bring to life the struggles and triumphs of James Simms, his family, and their community.
McDaniel’s deep understanding of history and its relevance to contemporary issues gives his work a resonance that transcends time, drawing clear parallels between the past and today’s ongoing fight for justice and equality. Through his writing, McDaniel demonstrates an extraordinary ability to connect the personal with the political, uncovering the layers of history that shape our collective present. His work serves as both a testament to the enduring power of historical storytelling and a call to reexamine the narratives that define us.
Beyond his fiction writing, McDaniel is known for his thought leadership in urban innovation, sustainability, and the future of cities. His forthcoming nonfiction book, Citizen One: Our Cities, Ourselves, and Our Uncertain yet Extraordinary Future (Fast Company Press, 2025), further delves into these themes, offering a visionary blueprint for a more resilient, collaborative, and human-centered global future.
DEFIANCE
A Reckoning
with the Dream
A New Novel by
Douglas S. McDaniel
