Karen Gerhardt Fort is a 6th generation Texan, born and raised in Waco. She earned a BA in Spanish from the University of Houston and an MA in Museum Studies from Baylor University. Her first book, Bale O’ Cotton (Texas A&M University Press, 1992), received two awards (American Association of State and Local History and the San Antonio Conservation Society). Other publishing credits include book reviews, short fiction, poetry, and articles. Her research into the Civil War in Texas has led to articles, a fi lm, websites, and podcasts. She has written extensively about Texas history, and this is her 8th book. She is married to historian Thomas A. Fort. Their son and his family live in the Seattle, Washington, area, USA.

Karen Gerhardt Fort is a 6th generation Texan, born and raised in Waco. She earned a BA in Spanish from the University of Houston and an MA in Museum Studies from Baylor University. Her first book, Bale O’ Cotton (Texas A&M University Press, 1992), received two awards (American Association of State and Local History and the San Antonio Conservation Society). Other publishing credits include book reviews, short fiction, poetry, and articles. Her research into the Civil War in Texas has led to articles, a fi lm, websites, and podcasts. She has written extensively about Texas history, and this is her 8th book. She is married to historian Thomas A. Fort. Their son and his family live in the Seattle, Washington, area, USA.

Karen Gerhardt Fort is a 6th generation Texan, born and raised in Waco. She earned a BA in Spanish from the University of Houston and an MA in Museum Studies from Baylor University. Her first book, Bale O’ Cotton (Texas A&M University Press, 1992), received two awards (American Association of State and Local History and the San Antonio Conservation Society). Other publishing credits include book reviews, short fiction, poetry, and articles. Her research into the Civil War in Texas has led to articles, a fi lm, websites, and podcasts. She has written extensively about Texas history, and this is her 8th book. She is married to historian Thomas A. Fort. Their son and his family live in the Seattle, Washington, area, USA.