This novel is told in the first person by the protagonist, Ben Taylor who is looking back on his life that was highlighted by his upbringing in the Smoky Mountains and his work for the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The author was inspired by the story of William Walker who tried the preserve the old growth trees on his land and the Walker Sisters who lived together in the old-fashioned ways in what became the National Park. She was also inspired by the diaries of Emma Bell Miles. "Beautifully written with careful attention to historical detail, this book is one I highly recommend." -Gail Olmstead. "Set primarily during the Great Depression and in what is now known as the Smoky Mountains National Park, The Truth of Who You Are is a sweeping family saga full of love, heartbreak, hard times, and the sustaining power of family." -M.K. Tod. "Author Sheila Myers crafts a coming-of-age saga of both a young man fighting to keep his family intact, and of the entire Great Smoky Mountains region. She also captures the spirit of the Civilian Conservation Corps, its rejuvenating impact on the landscape, and its transformative influence on the young men who served." -Robert Hilliard. "The Truth of Who You Are is an emotional tale of loyalty and family told through the eyes of a country boy with a big heart. Myers uses emotional stakes and lively historical details to take us on an adventure through America's turbulent 20th Century."
Castroville, Texas: Black Rose Writing: 2022. 244 pages. Trade paperback.