A native of St. Louis, Robert Jackson is the great-grand A native of St. Louis, Robert Jackson is the great-grandson of a carpenter who helped build the palaces in Forest Pason of a carpenter who helped build the palaces in Forest Park for the 1904 World's Fair. He has trained for two marathork for the 1904 World's Fair. He has trained for two marathons on the park's restored grounds. Although he has sincens on the park's restored grounds. Although he has since lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, he remain lived in Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York City, he remains a loyal St. Louisan, especially during baseball season whes a loyal St. Louisan, especially during baseball season when the Cardinals are playing. Robert Jackson studied Americann the Cardinals are playing. Robert Jackson studied American literature and culture at New York University, where he rec literature and culture at New York University, where he received his Ph.D. This is his first book. eived his Ph.D.