Bust Hell Wide Open

The Life of Nathan Bedford Forrest

By: Samuel W. Mitcham Jr.

Narrated by: Dan John Miller

An intimate biography of Nathan Bedford Forrest, arguably the most interesting figure to emerge from the Civil War - widely admired as a military genius.

At 14 he became the head of his impoverished family, responsible for feeding 11 on the rough American frontier. By 39 he had established himself as a successful plantation owner worth over $1 million. And at 40 years old, Nathan Bedford Forrest enlisted in a Tennessee cavalry regiment - and became a controversial Civil War legend.

The legacy of General Nathan Bedford Forrest is deeply divisive. Best known for being accused of war crimes at the Battle of Fort Pillow and for his role as first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan - an organization he later denounced - Forrest has often been studied as a military figure, but never before studied as a fascinating individual who wrestled with the complex issues of his violent times. Bust Hell Wide Open is a comprehensive portrait of Nathan Bedford Forrest as a man: his achievements, failings, reflections, and regrets.

©2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc. (P)2016 Samuel W. Mitcham Jr.

Great book

I never had much more than a minimal knowledge of Nathan Bedford Forrest but now after listening to this I have another person whom I can look up to with great admiration. We must not fall into the trap of judging historical characters by today’s standards, he did not live a spotless life early on, but there were still great attributes exhibited that can be admired and emulated.

Excellent History. Great Narration

A great book about a Great Man! Forrest isn’t a profit but certainly things he said ring true today. Hopefully this book will open the minds of more people.

Fine story of a real though flawed man

Mitcham describes a brilliant, strong man. He disabuses false notions of KKK and Forrest, while explaining the actual facts. I appreciate the excellent description of the Civil War and post war period very much.

Enlightenment for the reader

This book delivers a eye opening and a much needed clear view of a man that so many falsehoods have been written and spoken by those who had no idea of the history of the man and the civil war. I have always admired the man as a hero of the South but had no idea of the many particulars of his deeds and feats that he performed In The service of his country and convictions of his person . I will read this book Again after this has sank in my grey matter and I’m confident that I will enjoy it as much if not more the second reading as the first . I urge anyone even slightly curious about the civil war and the man to read this book . You will come away with a great respect and admiration for Nathan Bedford Forrest and clearer picture of the post war South .

Shedding light on a historically maligned character

Samuel Mitcham has done a brilliant job of bringing Nathan Bedford Forrest back to life in all his color. Forest emerges as a brilliant battlefield commander, chivalrous and also maybe a little too full of himself. This book reveals through careful documentation that Forrest really repented of his Slave trading ways and his gambling. And helps clarify the rise and fall (and much later resurrection of) the Klan.

Brilliant narration with Forrest quotes in the perfect southern drawl that makes you think the narrator personally knew the man and the legend.