A sweeping tale of love, courage, and conscience set in the glittering—and deeply divided—world of the Antebellum South. PRYOR KNOWLEDGE transports readers to the lower Mississippi River in the early 1800s, where ambition, romance, and morality collide amid the high-stakes world of horse racing and the brutal reality of slavery. Ben Pryor’s passion for training horses oozes from his very marrow. Determined to stay untouched by the volatile politics of a nation drifting toward collapse, Ben keeps his head down and his focus sharp. But in a country churning with change, circumstances force him to confront a question he can no longer avoid: should he follow the law, or do what is right? When unexpected love blooms, Ben’s carefully laid plans are threatened. Can he pursue his dream of becoming one of the nation’s top trainers without sacrificing his conscience—or his heart? A richly researched novel based on real and fictional characters, PRYOR KNOWLEDGE will appeal to readers of character-driven historical fiction that confronts America’s past with honesty and heart. Perfect for fans of Horse by Geraldine Brooks and The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead. “A must-read for horseracing fans. Gibson provides a beautifully researched story of the times and historical figures surrounding champion Lexington’s career. I found her novel to be superbly written and a real page-turner!” —Sasscer Hill, winner of the Dr. Tony Ryan Award for Best Book in Racing Literature “M. B. Gibson sheds new light on the fast-paced world of horseracing in the antebellum South. But this is no mere horse tale. Based on actual events, it’s also a gripping story about love, honor, slavery, and evil in a country on the edge of civil war.” —Paul Davis, Pulitzer Prize–nominated journalist and author 2025 Laramie Book Award Finalist 2025 Finalist, Kindle Book Award — Literary Fiction