According to author Skip Tucker, Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson would have loved Chilton County peaches.

“Jackson ate a lot of lemons, and peaches were his favorite fruit,” Tucker said. “I have no doubt he would have loved the peaches in Chilton County.”

Tucker spoke and signed copies of his book, “Pale Blue Light,” Tuesday at the Chilton-Clanton Library and shared with residents why he decided to write a book about Jackson along with some of Jackson’s idiosyncrasies.

“Jackson thought his left leg and left arm were shorter than his right so he always thought he was out of balance even though he wasn’t,” Tucker said. “He had a lot of quirks about him but he was a hero for the ages.”

Tucker started his lecture on Tuesday by asking everyone if they knew the reasoning behind the title of his book.

Tucker said Jackson’s pale blue eyes would glisten before battle and decided it would make a fitting title for his historical fiction novel, “Pale Blue Light.”

“This book is not your daddy’s history book,” Tucker said. “The story often brings surroundings to reality.”

Tucker said after reading so much material about Jackson as he wrote the book, he felt as if he knew him personally.

“Jackson was a genius and he was one of the most determined individuals that is still talked about today,” Tucker said. “I feel as if I knew him.”

Tucker said his book is a spy thriller and his intent for the book was to bring a living, breathing Jackson to readers.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the wounding (May 2, 1863) and death (May 10, 1863) of Jackson and Tucker’s national paperback release.

“I have been very blessed to have so many nice people say great things about my book,” Tucker said. “After it did so well with the hardback release, it was released nationally in paperback and I couldn’t be more thrilled.”