Author Stan Applegate thinks history is more than just obscure names and dates.

Applegate, who is writing a series of books about Natchez, presented this idea to students at Cathedral School on Monday.

&uot;The whole idea is to show them that historical research can be fun detective work,&uot; Applegate said. &uot;You can get kids to do almost anything.&uot;

Applegate has already completed two books about Natchez, entitled The Devil’s Highway and its sequel Natchez Under-the-Hill.

At Cathedral, Applegate read portions of his first book to a roomful of upper elementary and middle school students.

Applegate’s’ third book about Natchez entitled Hannah’s Diary will come out in the spring.

His fourth book will focus on the War of 1812, he said.

Applegate is an Atlanta resident with a background in education who decided to write his first books about Natchez after visiting the area.

&uot;My wife and I&160;traveled down the Natchez Trace,&uot; Applegate said. &uot;We visited Natchez and fell in love with the place.&uot;