ts to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library’s Lunch at the Library program were treated to a history lesson of sorts by special guest Harvey H. Jackson III, author of the recently published “Inside Alabama: A Personal History of My State.”

Jackson, professor and Chair of History and Foreign Languages, wrote the book as way to “sort out the Civil War, Civil Rights and a lot of other things” he had been pondering over for most of his life.

The book, written in simplistic terms for the average history buff, is more of an essay on Alabama’s history than a simple retelling of facts.

Jackson told the library audience he had been working on the book since June of 1953, just after completing the third-grade.

Jackson said it was during that summer that he learned the story of his great-grandfather, who was a member of the Dickinson Guard during the Civil War.

“That was a turning point in my life when I discovered I was a Southerner,” Jackson said.

After of studying and teaching history for years, and getting different perspectives on past events, Jackson decided to add some input of his own.

“I finally had to write this book to do it,” he said.

After describing his unique family history and the people who inspired his love for Alabama history, Jackson took the time to autograph some of his books and answer questions.

“When people read this book, I hope they have a good time, good memories and think about what Alabama can do to be better,” he said.

Jackson added that Alabama is the “state I love, warts and all.”

Becky Nichols, director of the Selma-Dallas County Library, said Jackson has been a frequent guest at Lunch at the Library with his other books, such as “Rivers of History: Life on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba, and Alabama,” and “Putting ‘Loafing Streams’ to Work: The Building of Lay, Mitchell, Martin, and Jordan Dams.”

“All of his books are here at the library,” Nichols said. “We love having Jackson here. He tells a great story.”