James K. Swisher's previously held long term profession in the school education system as a junior high and high school principle, high school and college teacher and as an assistant supervisor in college reflect his strong support in knowledge and education. The author's apparent thirst for knowledge and his interest in his hometown state Virginia State began his initial research on a biography on Bridge General Daniel Morgan of Winchester, Virginia.
For the author, what began as a simple curiosity turned into a big project when he discovered that a larger story needed to be examined, to clearly understand his initial subject of interest. With such discovery, Swisher directed his previous, singularly set subject of interest into a study of the southern campaign of the Revolutionary War which takes place largely in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Swisher has won national and regional awards for his work, including the Jefferson Davis Medal from the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Virginia State Library Book of the Year Award in 2000 and was a Virginia Society of the Book Nominee. He has published numerous articles in national publications including America's Civil War, Confederate Veteran, Military Heritage, and Military History. Swisher is also known for his books titled Prince of Edisto: Brig. Gen. Micah Jenkins and Warrior in Gray: Robert E. Rhodes of Lee's Army.
He has received both his master's degree in history and an Ed.d. in administration from University of Virginia. Now retired, Swisher lives in Lynchburg, Virginia, with his wife Penny, where he continues to write, and serve on the Lynchburg Museum Board while devoting his time as a member of the Patrick Henry Chapter and Sons of the American Revolution.