Alabama author Skip Tucker left yesterday on a 1,500-mile drive to promote the national paperback release of his historical adventure novel, “Pale Blue Light,” at the annual re-enactment of the Civil War's Battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3 through 5. The trip is timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the death of Stonewall Jackson and the historic battle.

Tucker will hold an 11 a.m. news conference on May 4 at the Spotsylvania County Museum at the Chancellorsville Battlefield to announce the book release.

Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, a central figure in Tucker's novel, was wounded at the May 2 battle and died of pneumonia May 10. “Pale Blue Light” is a lesser known nickname for Jackson, whose pale blue eyes would seem to shine with light from adrenaline before a battle.

Tucker says Jackson is a particular hero of his.

“'Pale Blue Light' is not a work of history, but historical fiction, and I intended it to bring people a living, breathing Jackson," the author said. “It's actually a spy thriller, and it questions whether Jackson was wounded by friendly fire or whether there might've been something more sinister in play.”

Positive reviews and strong sales of the first hardcover edition encouraged NewSouth Books in the release of the book in trade paper.

Chancellorsville will be the first major stop on Skip Tucker's national roll-out tour that will include stops in the Shendandoah Valley, where “Stonewall Jackson is a superstar,” Atlanta (at the Georgia History Museum), and New Orleans (at the Confederate Memorial Hall Museum).

“This is really an exciting time for me,” said Tucker. “I intend to rough-camp along the way and follow the trail, sometimes, that Jackson took in his historic campaign through the Shenandoah Valley.”

“I've read just about everything I could find about Stonewall. I feel I know him. He's a hero for all ages and all seasons.”

Read a preview of Pale Blue Light at www.newsouthbooks.com/palebluelight.