Talking “The Cornbread Mafia” over Breakfast
This morning I met an author whose work I really admire. My breakfast mate was Jim Higdon, author of The Cornbread Mafia: A Homegrown Syndicate’s Code of Silence and the Biggest Marijuana Bust in American History, which is officially released tomorrow. I’d never met Jim, though I had a role in insuring that his book had a chance to get published. When I read the draft manuscript I wasn’t in a position to publish it myself, but I really enjoyed this gonzo true-crime narrative, and so recommended it to longtime Carroll & Graf colleague and friend, Keith Wallman, now an editor at Lyons Press. It was precisely the sort of book he and I combined to edit and prepare for publication many times, with books like David Pietrusza’s Rothstein: The Life, Times, and and Murder of the Criminal Mastermind Who Fixed the 1919 World Series; Barbara Raymond’s The Baby Thief: The Untold Story of Georgia Tann, the Baby Seller Who Corrupted Adoption; Alan Bisbort’s “When You Read This, They Will Have Killed Me”: The Life, Redemption, and Execution of Caryl Chessman, Whose Execution Shook America; and Chuck Kinder’s Last Mountain Dancer: Hard-Earned Lessons in Love, Loss, and Outlaw Honky-Tonk Life, to name only four of many dozen books we published together.
I was pleased when Keith did sign up Jim’s book, and awaited word of publication plans. Turns out, I was to be involved with the book again because Keith asked if I would be willing to receive a galley, and spread some good words about the book. A month ago, I posted my full blurb ** on this site, which reads in part,
Higdon has written a speeding bullet of a book that turns [pot] grower Johnny Boone into one of the most fascinating characters I’ve encountered in years. If Hunter S. Thompson were still with us I believe he’d be praising The Cornbread Mafia and telling his pals to read it.
Despite hearing from the author from time to time over the months since the book was put on a path to publication, Jim and I had never met, so today’s meeting took care of that. He’s a Kentuckian, where his book is set, but the book is not merely a product of his local knowledge. He’s a graduate of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism where he took Samuel Freedman’s demanding course on writing narrative nonfiction books. Cornbread Mafia is deeply reported with dozens of sources, featuring a protagonist who’s a fugitive from federal justice. Jim’s a big guy with a good sense of humor and a keen focus on his work. We talked about the book’s publicity campaign and story ideas that Jim may explore for newspapers and magazines in coming months, and I snapped a photo of him before he headed up to Columbia to see former colleagues. It was fun meeting Jim, a writer I’m proud to have encouraged in his work.
** Worth noting that after I posted my blurb on March 16, I got this comment from reader Kurt Mattingly: “This book is, without a doubt, the most rivetting account of central Kentucky history anyone has ever written. Being a native Marion Countian and growing up just a few miles from Raywick (between St. Mary and Lebanon), almost completely oblivious to the “counter-culture” that was inherent basically all around me, I cannot put this book down.”
I ordered my copy of “The Cornbread Mafia” as soon as possible and read it slowly so I could savor every word. I cannot wait for the next book and have already sent him an “idea” and I am sure that many other people have also. Thank you Mr. Turner.
Dear Geri,
Thanks for coming to my blog, and so glad you’ve been enjoying Jim Higdon’s book. I invite you to come back to my site often. Best, Philip
Small towns are amazing. I grew up in Loretto, graduated Marion County High School in 1974. I’ve just received the Cornbread Mafia on my Kindle Fire. I’ve only read the preface, but it’s crazy all of the people we are going to know as we read this book. Some of my very close relatives were involved with the moonshining during prohibition. I think I went to school with the author’s wife. Everybody knew Hyleme George. WE were the underage teenagers who were at Club 68 every Friday and Saturday from the time we were freshmen in high school til we graduated…..if you could see over the bar, then you were in business. Dr. Eli was the doctor who brought most of us Marion countians into this world. We all know of the Bicketts and the Shewmakers. Then there is Johnny himself…I actually was at his home one time (and I was totally clueless to anything and everything). I remember in the 80s when there were constant marijuana busts, I was living in Louisville and would see the news and would hope that it was not one of my brothers, unlucky enough to be running through the fields trying to outrun the law. I never really thought any of them were involved, however, they WERE from Loretto so that automatically made them suspect…sorry brothers!!!! Then Don Nalley, who was the Vietnam Vet who was shot and killed on his front porch near the Trappist Monastery, was my first cousin (my Dad’s sister’s child). As Jimmie says, that case remains unsolved. All that just from the preface. Can’t imagine what all I will read about next, but it is definitely going to be interesting!!
18 minutes ago · Like
Write a comment…
Dear Diane, thanks very much for visting my site and for your comments with so much insight into The Cornbread Mafia. I’m very glad to know you’re enjoying the book. With your permission, I would like to share it with the author Jim Higdon. Please come back and visit my blog as often as you like. Thanks very much, Philip
Yes you may share with Jimmie. I knew him slightly years ago, but I believe he was a few years older. Did he marry Jane Miles, and are they still married? Jane was one year ahead of me but small towns are small towns. As info, he would probably know my parents, Ruby and Bee Thomas, who ran the Dollar and Variety Store in Loretto during the 70s, 80s, and I think part of the 90s. We lived in the old Lyon house in the heart of Loretto, beside the Key Market.
And of course we are all Catholic!!! Or raised Catholic anyway.
Dear Diane, thank you, I’ll relay your messages to Jim. Thanks again, Philip