A revered historian – the ‘cheerful assassin’ — inspires a surprise tribute by protégés
Some of John Marszalek’s friends are pretty good at keeping a secret. The distinguished scholar’s wife, Jeanne, was even in on it.
For three years or more, unbeknownst to the Mississippi State Giles Distinguished Professor Emeritus, a network of his former doctoral students worked on a tribute to the mentor who had so stirred their passion for studying the Civil War era and its influence on shaping America.