Alvin C. York grew up in the Cumberland Mountains of eastern Tennessee. More specifically, he lived near Pall Mall in the Valley of the Three Forks of the Wolf River. The Three Forks were streams that flowed down from the mountains.

Alvin's parents and their family of children lived in a small cabin in the mountains. His father owned a farm and operated a blacksmith shop. People called him "Judge" York, because he was fair-minded. He settled many disputes among the mountain people who came to him with their problems.

The Yorks were very religious people and went to church every Sunday. The preacher was Pastor Rosier Pile, who also ran the post office in Pall Mall. On Sunday afternoons the mountain people usually met at some home to visit. Often they told stories about Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, John Sevier, and other pioneers.

Alvin worked for his father and went to a country school a few weeks each year. When he was partly grown, his father taught him to shoot with the long rifle, which mountain hunters regularly used. He was happy when he won his first shooting match.

In April, 1917, when Alvin York was thirty years old, he read that the United States had declared war on Germany. He believed that war was wrong but wanted to serve his country. Accordingly, he consulted Pastor Pile, prayed over the matter, and entered the army for training.

A year and a half later Corporal York was in France. He and his squad faced a nest of German machine guns in the Argonne Forest. Soon his superior officer was wounded and he took charge of the few men who were left. Then, manifesting great bravery, he took 132 Germans as prisoners.

After World War I ended, York received many honors and had many lucrative offers, but he decided to return to eastern Tennessee. He devoted his life to the improvement of schools and roads in his section of the state. The York Agricultural Institute was founded through his efforts.

Ethel H. Weddle has carefully researched her background materials for this book and painted a vivid picture of the simple, wholesome lives people formerly lived in the Cumberland Mountains. In addition, she has portrayed the fascinating story of an humble mountain boy who became one of the most famous heroes of World War I.

From the dust jacket