Tennessee Books

Tracy Barrett's Cold in Summer follows the story of Ariadne as she and her family move from Florida to Tennessee, uprooting all Ariadne has known and thrusting her into an unfamiliar, country environment. Expecting to hate it in Tennessee, Ariadne is intrigued when she meets a strange girl named May who seems to slip in and out of her life with ease and is never seen by anyone else. Or is she? Just who is this May, and why do people clam up whenever Ariadne asks about her?

Barrett's story is well done, with just the right touches of creepiness and mystery to keep the pages turning. Ariadne is a typical pre-teen looking to fit in, and her interest in both May and the area builds as the story progresses. Barrett does a good job of pulling the reader in and keeping you intrigued as she carefully reveals May's tragic tale; only at times did I feel some of the scenes inserted seemed unnecessary in advancing the storyline. Being from Tennessee, I was pleased to see Barrett's enclosure of local tales as well as a few myth-busting insertions. This book is fun and just right for pre-teens looking for creepiness that is not overwhelming.

In this book Tracy Barret has excellent writing that took me into a whole other world where I could see the characters and feel the surroundings. I deffinetly would recommend this book. At first one would think "Oh I already know this. Why read the rest?" I promise it gets good. It tells you May is a ghost but the suspense is thrilling and really rewarding at the end.
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Ariadne just moved from Florida into a small rural town in Tennessee where everybody knows everybody. Ariadne misses what she calls "home". May who has lived there all her life is "lost" and counts on Ariadne to get her "home". Many people have tried to help her but can Ariadne be the one to do it? I promise you will understand EVERYTHING once you read the book!

The book Cold in Summer is about a girl named Ariadne. She moves from Florida,the best place on earth,to Tennesse. The town is so rural and everybody knows everyone. One day when Ariadne feels sad a strange dull-looking girl named May Butler comes to her! May tries to help her,Ariadne wonders if she's the only one that see's her! A few people have but it was nearly 100 of years ago. Ariadne's social studies project helps her find the truth about her strange and mysterious friend. She wil do anything to find out the truth,even a life and death situation/conflict!

"Cold in Summer" is a short and fast-moving fiction book set in the small and rural town of Dobbin, Tennessee. It is told from the point-of-view of twelve-year-old Ariadne has just moved with her family from her childhood home in Florida. She's missing where she grew up, her best friend Sara, and the familiarity of her old home.
One day after swimming in the lake Ariadne encounters an odd, quiet girl who dresses in old-fashioned clothing called May Butler. There is something extraordinary about May, she seems to appear when Ariadne is lonesome and then swiftly disappear. Ariadne feels a more of a connection with May than any of the other girls she has met in Dobbin. Ariadne is curious about this out of the ordinary girl and soon finds out that May is trapped, in a place where it is "cold in summer and warm in winter", and is not able to get home. Ariadne can relate to this emotion of being stuck somewhere you don't desire to be and knows that she has to help May. While doing research for a school assignment, and with some assistance from other's stories, she begins to uncover the truth behind an unsolved mystery of the past.
The book was cleverly written because it combines the stresses and problems of moving to somewhere new and trying to fit in and also has a dark mystery involving the past. The story was unconvincing in parts because Ariadne was slow to understand things and you know what is to come early in the story. A lot of the character's and details were described in little detail and it was difficult to imagine the story really happening. However, I liked this book because a lot of people, including me, can relate to the way Ariadne feels when her family suddenly decides to move.
I chose this book to read for my assignment in L.A. mostly because the front cover stood out, there is a girl who is partly transparent looking out from behind the trees, and I wondered who it was and what the title meant, so I checked it out.
This would be an enjoyable book for someone who likes ghost and mystery stories and wants an easy read.

Tracy Barrett has created a wonderful, enthralling read for young adults and adults! I always try to pre-read fiction before giving it to my daughter, and found this book incredibly intriguing. Once I started it, I couldn't stop! I read into the night, woke early to read before breakfast, had it in the car in case I got stuck in traffic, and hid it on my desk under my work to finish it. Truly a "can't put it down" book.

The story is realistic and set in modern times, but highlights the deductive reasoning of an intelligent 12 year old girl to solve a mystery over 100 years old. There's no witchcraft or wizardry necessary - just a wonderfully written, imaginative story that draws you in and won't let go until you've finished the book.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

The primary focus of GRYMS is on the human side of the American Civil War, made especially poignant around Christmastime. Much of the book presented events surrounding the battle of Murfreesboro -- a three-day fight in Tennessee that started on December 31, 1862. This gives author James MacIvor more than enough room to touch on many of the aspects of Civil War as experienced by ordinary soldiers of both sides. By 1862, the martial ardor of both sides had died down, as the romantic idea of a quick war gave way to the realization that many harsh months of inconclusive fighting lay ahead. MacIvor's route winds through a December military wedding, war weariness, bravery and cowardice in battle, mad generals, the pitiable executions of deserters on the day after Christmas, and brass bands "battling" on the night before battle, culminating in a soulful rendition of "Home Sweet Home." The book was very light on the political rationale for the war, but provided some wonderful vignettes illuminating the human experience of ordinary soldiers, including some of the homespun songs that made life bearable on the front lines.

Grades:
Engaging reading/listening: B
New/interesting info: B
Historical insights: C

Ok, I admit it. I very nearly didn't add this treasure to my personal Civil War library. I was looking for a copy of Kevin Rawling's "We were Marching on Christmas Day," hoping beyond hope of finding it in stores after having read an article in my local paper about him being the Civil War Santa. An article which, I might add, mentioned his book and had me turning my attention to the Christmas season during the war for the first time. When I saw this book in stores for the first time I was at first intrested and then quickly turned off by it. It just seemed like it was a novel to me. I was looking for non-fiction, not a fictional story set at Christmastime during the war. But for whatever reason I decided to pick it up even though I really didn't want a novel on Christmas during the war.

Well let's just say I was far from disappointed about being wrong about the book. It is a fascinating look into Christmas and how the war affected it for soldier and civilian alike. Even more fascinating, for me, was to learn that one of the sources McIvor used was the very book I'd been looking for in the first place.

James McIvor brings together both research and individuals' letters to paint a picture of what life was like for soldier and civilian, North and South, alike. One can learn much about life at this time and how the war affected it. But even more than that, McIvor brings out how the feelings towards the war had changed from the early days when people on both sides expected all it would take was one big battle to get the other side to capitualate to the growing realization that the war was going to be a long one. And this was even more noticeable at Christmas, a time when most of the soldiers were so used to being at home with friends and loved ones. And at home the holiday season just reminded those who the soldiers left behind that their sons, grandsons, fathers, husbands, brothers, etc. were away fighting the war. Or worse, they were never coming home again.

"God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers," along with "We were Marching on Christmas Day," is an absolute must for any Civil War enthusiasts library as it gives us a look into a too often overlooked element of the war. Holidays. We spend too much time paying attention only to the generals, politicians, dates and the events that occured on those dates that we overlook the the fact that the war was fought by living, breathing individuals. But when a book takes the time to remind us of those individuals and the lives they led during the war, then that book is absolutely worth reading. That is exactly what this book does. It reminds us of those individuals and also gives us an understanding of how they must have felt during the holiday season.

Now if only someone would provide a book that looks at some of the other holidays of the year and how they were affected by the war.

This book revolves around the people who participated in the 1862 Civil War battle "The Battle of Stones River", fought near Murfreeboro, Tennessee just after Christmas. It is not at all an account of the battle itself.

The author uses mostly excerpts from letters and autobiographies from participants to illustrate how Christmas 1862 felt to the people involved in this particular battle. There are Christmas poems from papers of the day, popular song lyrics, letters to and from home, and biographical information about various people involved.

There are no complete accounts of the battle but only descriptions of part of the battle that allow the reader to develop a context in which to place these events; so if you are looking for a military account on the Battle of Stones River, this is not the book to read.

The story of the Generals and Privates that are covered here are poignant. There are several accounts of participants who foresaw their death. There are a number of accounts of merciful treatment from enemy combatants. I found these accounts the most intriguing. The story of the 2 opposing armies singing together "Home, Sweet Home" on the eve of battle is probably the climax of the book.

The author also includes material on the nature of Christmas in 1862 and gives an excellent history of the evolution of this holiday and explanations of why it is the way it is. This was excellent material and fascinating.

Overall, a very enjoyable account of the juxtaposition of religious observances and the horror of war. Definitely worth a read.

An interesting little book about the Christmas of 1862 and the Battle of Stones River fought near Murfreeboro, Tennessee a few days later. The book traces the recent increase in popularity of Christmas in America, the steady decline in morale among soldiers on both sides during 1862, and how this led to a particularly poignant moment of comraderie on the eve of the battle. Very much enjoyed reading this book. A great stocking stuffer for the Civil War buff.

***** This is a small book that was actually released in 2005. Now, in 2006, it is being reprinted in a small paperback for more people to discover and enjoy. The story takes readers back in history, to the Civil War. Through the eyes of soldiers' letters (Union and Confederate) comes a true tale of a Christmas miracle. It will not take you long to read the story since it is less than two hundred pages, but it is a book that you will find yourself reading more than once. Full of joy, sorrow, compassion, and courage, this is a story you will never forget. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Myles Horton's autobiography is an excellent source of how to reach and teach adult learning groups. The Highlander methods used can be applied to many situations where traditional teaching styles either may not work or an unconventional method is required. While the examples used are for union organizing and civil rights movements, it is the utilization of the learning and "non-teaching" methods that make the text.

Great book. Insightfully and eloquently written. Interesting viewpoints. Great for a new look at politics.

Miles Horton's The Long Haul an Autobiography was a book I could not put down. This book inspired me to take a look at my own life and where I am going and to really evaluate the expectations I have for myself. The book details Miles Horton's struggles to achieve his life long goal to develop a form of education that will result in a change in society. The path he takes to fulfill his dream is not an easy one but seeing his determination to open the Highlander School was an inspiration to me. Throughout the book, Mr. Horton gives insight to his practical way of thinking about problems and people. I have had my eyes opened to what really motivates people to do what they do and why they do it. Although I try to stay away from politics as I have never been interested, this book gave me a desire to learn more about the political system as I read how Mr. Horton, often humorously, viewed and dealt with the political issues that seemed to follow him throughout his life. After reading that Martin Luther King and other strong leaders were influenced by Mr. Horton, it is no surprise that I too have been changed by reading his book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see a change in society and is willing to look inside to begin the transformation.

This book gave me a sense of clarity regarding my own values and beliefs when it comes to creating and sustaining learning relationships with others. It also lit a fire in my heart for the work...the work of developing learning and instruction in ways that are truly empowering of others. It was a jolt of energy in my own life journey. I'm humbled and grateful to have been introduced to the ideas and life of Mr. Horton - as well as the story of the Highlander learning community. Social change will always be a natural outcome of true learning and instruction in a world that confirms its being alive through the ever-changing, interdependent evolution of its cultural soceity. Change is good.

I was first introduced to THE LONG HAUL as a consequence of teaching a community organization course for which I had not been assigned for over 20 years. I felt I was out of my element. In seeking to prep myself for this course, I consulted key people in the US and my local community. I was prodded to read THE LONG HAUL. I must admit I was not enthusiastic. BIG MISTAKE!

After 30 years of reading social science research monographs, research proposals, dissertations, MSW theses, and textbooks, I would say that THE LONG HAUL is one of the most (and perhaps the most) profoundly important piece of literature I have read addressing the social service arena. Although it is an autobiography, it offers critical insight into the failure of social service delivery. Prior to reading THE LONG HAUL, I believed that the major failure of sociology and social work was the inability to construct a meaningful theory of cultural diversity. Social work's failure to shepherd recipients off of TANF is associated with a lack of cultural understanding. Clearly, what we need is a theory for guidance.

In his autobiography, Myles Horton takes us to the threshold of theory construction. Much of what "works" is counterintuitive. For example, if the police are monitoring Horton's actions because the authorities fear he will instigate a communist upraising, Horton will seek out the police. He would thank them for escorting him to his destination and explain to them his plans. The police move into a state of utter confusion. They are put in a position where they must walk with him rather then concealing themselves. Clearly, he knows what he is doing, but is unable to explain his actions that would enable readers to generalize these actions. The capacity of generalize and to use this generalization for an alternative environment is the heart of sociological theory. We learn how society functions by identifying patterns and see if they exist (or work) in other arenas.

Perhaps theory construction is not possible. Perhaps cultural influences are so uniquely situated that a generalization from one arena to another is not possible. What is the common theme found in all of Horton's successes? I think the answer is LISTENING. However, Horton's form of listening is not the type of listening I was taught nor the kind of listening I read in cutting edge research and respected textbooks. It is, in fact, NOT the empathic listening. I do not believe that words exists which capture the essence of this type of Horton's listening, but I believe the concept of "blind" listening comes close. In addition, sociological frameworks such as Interactionalism and Phenomenology employ terms like "bracketing." Bracketing comes close, but does not hit the bull's eye. Social workers must spend more time understanding Horton's methodology of listening, analyzing what he heard, and acting upon his analysis.

I do not recall reading any book that had such a profound effect on my thinking. This autobiography is not merely the story of Myles Horton's life but rather a roadmap for improved social service delivery and empowerment. Every social worker should read this book -- even clinicians. In fact, I would say that any social work student who does not thoroughly enjoy this book, needs to change majors.

David Crockett was best known for his adventures in the wilderness and fighting at the Alamo. He also served as a Congressman where he was known as an honest and conscientious man.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I found it honest, refreshing, stimulating and interesting. It is David Crockett's own words echoing through time. The sentences are long and constructed different than today and take a little time to absorb. This adds to the richness of the writing.

A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett provides a peek into the world of this fine human being who was incredibly brave, a fine story teller, a gentleman and true adventurer. David Crockett was a strong critical thinker who followed his own beliefs and values. He couldn't be bribed to support any measure he thought was wrong. His celebrated motto was:
"Be sure that you are right, and then go ahead."

The Re-Discovery of Common Sense: A Guide to: The Lost Art of Critical Thinking

Professor Hutton gives us a scholarly edition of an essential American folk narrative. Partly an exercise in self-promotion (Crockett makes it clear he sees himself on the way to the Presidency) and partly an attempt to correct - or recast - the myth that already surrounded him, it remains a valuable insight into the social history of early nineteenth-century America.

Davy was the great hero of the children of my generation, following the Disney movie, the Ballad and so on. It's nice to meet the real person at last. For, despite the fact that it was his friend Chilton who wrote down the words, and the fact that Crockett was very selective in what he reported and how he reported it, I think the man's real voice comes through.

Like all memoirs, this one gives the reader a feel for what life was like for people - frontier folk, that is - at the time, in a way that no history book, no matter how well researched, can. The overriding impression is of a life of extraordinary hardship, in which terrible setbacks are shrugged aside and the struggle resumed. It was also a culture of racial hostility, which gives rise to some references to non-whites - black and Indian - that will fall uneasily on most modern ears. But so it was.

The story gains added poignancy from the knowledge that it was published just two years before Crockett's death at the Alamo. It was there that his enduring fame was assured.
[PeterReeve]

Davy Crockett's Narrative first appeared early in 1834 at the height of his political career. During the 1820s he had won a couple of terms in the Tennessee state legislature, and in 1827 he won a seat in Congress representing the western half of the state. He was a foe of Andrew Jackson and a political maverick; when he advocated for Indian rights he won the enmity of many in Congress and his constituents, and was voted from office in 1831. He licked his wounds and patched up differences, and was re-elected in 1833. To bolster his image, which was already taking on legendary aspects, this Narrative was written with his friend Thomas Chilton. Told in bold, humorous, boastful strokes, it is nonetheless a campaign biography and ends with sharp attacks on Jackson.

The way the Narrative is set up here is very useful for the reader. It appears in facsimile form, with wide margins set around it, in which Shackford explains, corrects, and separates fact from fiction in Crockett's assertions. It's almost like watching a movie on DVD along with critical commentary. Interestingly, many errors that appear in the Narrative were intentional and are often self-deprecating, making Crockett more unsophisticated and lowbrow than he really was in order to win votes with the farmers and backwoodsmen of western Tennessee. Most of the historical references he makes are quite accurate. As a campaign biography to help him win re-election in 1835, however, it was a failure, as he lost to a Jacksonian. After that, he set his eyes on Texas.

The format chosen here is what makes this book a success. The many annotations make this edition of the Narrative the most informative and "honest" in print. Highly recommended.

Confusion about authorhip has followed "A Narrative" more than 170 years. It helps to understand that Thos. Chilton, Representative from Kentucky, shared living quarters with Crockett at Mary Ball's Rooming House. They were actual bedfellows, which was the custom of the times; Thos. Chilton was father, eventually, to 15 children. Thomas Chilton had a university education and wrote with recognized eloquence. He crafted "A Narrative" from Crockett's notes and dictation, using carefully the homespun dialogue of his friend.

Thos. Chilton, a skilled lawyer, was not fool enough to do all this this work for free. Davy Crockett arranged for his publisher to pay fifty percent of the book's royalties to Thomas Chilton, who agreed to have no mention of his name in the book. What remains rather obscure is the disposition of royalites after Crockett's death. Thomas Chilton died in 1854.

The role played by Thomas Chilton in "A Narrative" was lost to history for nearly a hundred years, except inside the Chilton Family.
-- Edward M. Chilton

David Crockett found himself to have become mythologized in his own lifetime. Every indication is that he arrived at this place accidentally, but that once he recognized his own pop-culture status he took advantage of it and nurtured it at every turn. His Narrative, therefore, must be read with a certain amount of skepticism nevertheless it is still valuable as an historical record.

The narrative is a journey from start to finish; true Homeric stuff. He describes his journey into adulthood in pre-Mark Twain style, then his journey as an adventurer in the military, his journey across the state of Tennessee with his family, and finally his journey into politics. There may be many embellishments within his narrative, but considering the period in which it was written (while he contemplated a much larger political career) the topics he chose to describe actually seem prosaic and understated, as if he were deliberately trying to avoid bragging about himself. In this light, perhaps the Narrative is more accurate than is generally assumed. The Narrative may have been ghost-written by someone else, but there is enough Crockett in it to give it legitimacy. His jabs at Andrew Jackson are quaintly hilarious, but they are also true. In this pre-Alamo period of his life, his willingness to take a stand against Jackson might be the bravest thing he ever did.

Lastly, the language itself is fascinating. The Narrative may be laced with over-the-top phrases such as, "knocked his trotters out from under him", but at the same time he writes, "if a fellow is born to be hung, he will never be drowned..." This is classic southern wisdom, words I have heard with my own ears in the mountains of eastern Tennessee, so Crockett's Narrative is either very authentic or was itself the basis for an evolving southern culture. In this way, the Narrative should be considered classic American literature.

Dana Witkoski
University 101
October 6, 2008

Mark Powell's Prodigals details the charismatic story of Ernest Cobb and the surrounding circumstances that create his identity. Set in the mid nineteen-forties, Prodigals begins with Ernest, scared and alone, fleeing his past life with no general plan for the future. Throughout his escape, Ernest acquaints himself with a new group of men who have also avoided responsibility in their lives. Upon his arrival to North Carolina, Ernest begins his new life-though the optimism often associated with regeneration is noticeably absent. Ernest works as a dishwasher, finds adequate shelter, and manages a relationship with his new girlfriend. After aforementioned relationship ends, Ernest makes new ones, meeting June Bug and Jimmy Morgan. The serendipitous union of the three grants the opportunity for bittersweet tragedy, when they discover and injured child. Ernest Cobb, June Bug , and Jimmy Morgan represent a rhetorical triangle within a realistic situation. The three men share secrets that shed light on one of the story's most prominent themes: nobody is truly alone in his or her loneliness.Holistically, Prodigals is not an uplifting story, but Powell's excellent use of dialogue, mood, and tone engage the reader. I recommend Prodigals to anyone in search of a fast-and albeit easy-read that remains equally thought-provoking as it is endearing.

Prodigals, by Mark Powell, is a captivating journey of a man discovering himself within the world around him. Although somewhat dark, it very much characterizes the intricacies of relationships between all people. The story, set in the mid-1900s, begins with a young man named Earnest who is afraid. He is alone and scared of what he had left behind, but also with no plan for the future. He finds himself with a group of men who live a very stark life as well. His time with these outsiders, though, plays a role in the development of Earnest personally. Continuing on his journey, he lands in North Carolina where he meets others with similar lonely stories like his own. His relationship with these people brings him to the ironic realization that he is not alone in his loneliness. The whole tale creates a sense of solitude. Again the book is very dark but a good read. Powell writes in different form, with very quick dialogue and fast paced scenes. If you are looking for a quick read, choose Prodigals. It's thought provoking and most definitely entertaining. I complement Powell on his ability exposing the honest account of the development of a man.

Prodigals is a book that captivates your attention from page one. The author Mark Powell writes in a way that you feel as if you are one of the characters in the novel. Although it may be hard to relate to Ernest Cobb and his disheartening situation at the beginning, Powell writes in such a manner where you can really sympathize with Earnest. In my opinion this book is a must read, When I first read a summary of what the novel was about, I have to admit I was not looking forward to reading it. It sounded very bleak and dreary, and it was very different from the books that I typically read, Yet, I can say now for a fact that I am very glad I read this book. It allowed my mind to explore a different culture that is way out of my realm of thinking. This book gave me a whole new outlook on life and made me more appreciative of my life situation. I am thankful for the friends and family that I have. I also now realize that most of my worries in life do not even come close to the problems and hardships that Ernest as well as other characters in the book had to endure. Another reason, although it may seem silly that I enjoyed this book is because the author went to the University of South Carolina, Go Gamecocks! Overall I would recommend this book to anybody who is looking to read something out of the ordinary. This book is not happy and uplifting, but it will make you think.

I was fortunate enough to have Mark Powell as a English teacher in college. I deliberately never missed a class - his teaching methods are as captivating as his writing methods. It was difficult to put 'Prodigals' down. Each chapter left me anxious to read the next. In college, he always told me that my descriptive essays were good, but I know now that they were no comparison to his. His use of description really makes you feel as though you are right there in the moment, experiencing everything the character is. And being from Georgia, I also appreciate his description of the beauty of the south. If you can appreciate novels with southern dialect and intriguing mystery, you'll love this plot. Thank you, Mr. Powell, for a beautiful story!

I just finished this novel this week, and I find its message still haunting to me -- but wonderfully so. Powell's language is beautiful, and his sense of place is strong and clear. After reading the novel, I was forced to give more thought to the meaning of the word "prodigal" and to the meaning of this book and my life. Although the novel is set in the aftermath of World War II, this book is extremely relevant to our modern lives.

Being married to a Civil War enthusiast can have a down side; my wife calls it "visiting dirt" whenever we stop at battlefields. For the enthusiast, a battlefield can be one of the best places on earth as you see more than words can convey; gain understanding of the what, why and how of the action. You can connect with the men; hear the guns while seeing their view of the battle. Talk to someone who has walked Pickett's Charge, climbed Missionary Ridge or stood looking toward The Sunken Road and you will feel their connection to that event. Each National Military Park is unique and the experience of one is not the same as another. Shiloh, in majestic isolation, is the park closest to what the veterans wanted to tell us about their service. This book is the story not of the battle but of saving the battlefield and determining how that story would be told.

In December 1894 Congress passed an act to "establish a national military park at the battlefield of Shiloh", with a budget of $75,000. This was in response to pressure from veterans who wanted their battle commemorated. From 1862 to 1894, only a military cemetery was in the area. Except for the cemetery, the battlefield had returned to farmland. Whenever a body was found, the cemetery would come out to remove the remains for burial.

This book, details how a small group of men converted several thousand acres of land, thousands of personal accounts and the Official Records into the park we have today. It is great fun to read about this effort and the writing is crisp and easy to follow. The author tells a good story, keeping our attention while generating interest. The amount of detail this small book is amazing as we work through land purchases, mapping the battlefield, placing units amid the chaos of battle while trying to find a place to live and work. It took a strong person to do this and we were blessed with a series of them, each making a unique and necessary contribution to the park.

Monumentation produced a new set of problems as regiments fought the official interpretation preferring their memories. Shiloh went through a series of "battles" with veteran's groups, state lobbies and the War Department that lasted for years. Lastly, the author gives us a glimpse of the emerging question on the Hornet's Nest complete with historical background.

While this is a small book, it is well worth the money. I have gained a real understanding of what was required to build the National Military Parks and will carry that with me each time I visit one.

What a novel approach to one of the Civil War's greatest battlefields and parks! When I first picked the book up off the seller's shelf to flip through it, I thought that it would be a boring rehash of the battle, crunch of numbers, and numbing facts on the park's creation. Never-the-less, I went home and ordered a copy from Amazon. When it arrived, boy, did I discover my preconceived ideas were wrong! I started reading it and never put it down until I was finished. Smith did a superb job of writing what could have been a difficult subject and held my attention throughout. I'll never walk a park again without thinking of the tremendous effort that went into creating it. OK, Mr. Smith, I know your love for Shiloh, and that you enjoy your job there, but you've left me yearning for another volume on Chickamauga, and perhaps another on some of the smaller parks like Stones River that fell short in their creation, and those like Franklin who never made it. The illustrations topped off the superbly handled story. Hat's off to the author, and to the men who made the park possible. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed in this book!

Over the years I have grown weary of reading accounts of Civil War battles that never provide any information on what happened to the battlefield after the battle is over. Apprently most military authors must assume that every reader knows the field either became a park or a parking lot in later years and they ignore the subject completely, not even touching on it in an epilouge. That's why I love this book. It shows the Shiloh battlefield continuing to live as the parchment upon which the battle was written. This post-war account of the field contains almost as many quirky characters as held command in the fight. Some of the stories are amusing, some are appalling such as the former officer who continually insisted that an artificial lake be placed in the park to make it more picturesqe... he never could understand that the lake would be non-historical and cover the scene of heavy fighting. Happily, the park administrators politely resisted his requests until he finally passed away.

Gettysburg, Antietam, Bull Run, Shiloh are places we won't ever forget. On these battlefields, where streams ran red with blood, the United States was truly born. Between 1861 and 1865, the clash of the greatest armies of the Western Hemisphere turned these small towns, little known streams and obscure corners of American countryside into names we will always remember.

The cost in American life was greater than that for all other American wars combined, from colonial times through the wars against terrorism. Antietam was the bloodiest, and yet more fatalities on both sides occurred at Shiloh, Tennessee, and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. My sons and I made many trips to both places to pay respect to our soldiers who died protecting the right to be where we were and who we were. At a Confederate Decoration Day celebration, on Jefferson Davis' birthday, one of the re-enactors told me that Nathan Bedford Forrest was his hero. I took a photo of the hero in action he had on his horse carrier. He was shocked when I told him that Amazon had removed my review about the Forrest book which was all made-up with all truth absent. He said to me, "You mean we still have censorship in the United States." A local Confederate, Dr. William Johnson Worsham, was honored for his service to our country; his war memoirs, "The Old 19th Tennessee Infantry Regiment, CSA" were published in 1902. A special commemoration and dedicated monument in the Old Gray Cemetery. On the Seal of the Confederacy are these words: "Deo Vindice", God is our Vindicator. I also took pictures of the different flags displayed on June 3.

Extraordinary leaders and incompetent tyrants served on both sides. Their power to fascinate, inspire, or exasperate remains undimmed. These men -- heros and fools -- toiled in a typhoon of broader forces. Grasping this dynamic relationship among the battlefield, the home front, and the diplomatic front is absolutely essential if you want to understand the American Civil War.

Shiloh is by far one of the best battlefields to visit. Scouts all over Tennessee travel to Shiloh to camp out and study history at the place where it happened. Living history is better understood and absorbed if you are standing on the very spot where important actions took place.

This short book tells the story of Shiloh National Military Park from the aftermath of the battle until its transfer from the jurisdiction of the War Department to the National Park Service in 1933. Smith's enthusiasm for the park shines through this revised dissertation, even though his prose is usually more serviceable than exciting.

Attempts to relate the early administrative history of the park to current discussions about historical interpretation--probably only the flotsam of the book's academic origins--are unnecessary because anachronistic. But Smith hits his stride when he begins to discuss his protagonist, David W. Reed (1841-1916), the "Father of Shiloh National Military Park," to whose memory he dedicates the volume.

For those interested in the development of American military parks, there are three important lessons to be gleaned from Smith's book: 1. The federal government was, at least on occasion, capable of dealing prudently and fairly with private landowners when acquiring park property--although it must be admitted that the area around Pittsburg Landing was an economic backwater. (53) 2. Not surprisingly, the winners of a battle tend to be more enthusiastic about commemorating it than the losers. (78) 3. An intelligent and gifted administrator such as Reed, early on the scene, can shape interpretation in such a way as to make full revision almost impossible. For instance, all Civil War buffs know something about the importance of Shiloh's "Hornets' Nest," "Sunken Road," and "Bloody Pond," but these iconic locations now seem to have been as much a creation of Reed's historical imagination as battle reality. (69)

Warner's guide is the premiere resource for bikers who are contemplating the Natchez Trace Parkway. We just finished an abbreviated tour (you can't plan the weather) and found the guide to be a reliable resource for historical sites, terrain, lodging, and the miscellaneous details important to the long-distance biker. There have been some changes in the cities in regards to lodging and dining options but overall there are more options, not less. This guide is highly recommended and we look forward to using it again for our next adventure.

The book is well written with a lot of important details about the trail.

The author obviously has spent considerable time riding the Trace and in surrounding areas. As a result, the book serves as a useful complement to the literature available from the National Park Service on the Natchez Trace. However, the most important document that a Trace traveler needs is a Natchez Trace Parkway Map and Guide from the Park Service.

The author briefly describes the historical significance of many of the landmarks along the Trace. Of great interest to bicylists is the lay of the land (hills) which is well described. Most importantly, one can find the location of food and water and lodging just off of the Trace, that is, not managed by the Park service. The Trace itself has insufficient restroom and water stops for the bicyclist. A minor point is that the author does not indicate the hours of operation of the markets that he notes. The author notes the great amount of wildlife on the Trace; but keep a sharp eye for the snakes sunning themselves on the Trace in warm weather.

Most all of the practical advice in the book is related either to logistics or to various routes. Where and how to ship one's bike is useful. About 40 percent of the book is taken up with auxiliary routes that either start or cross the Trace and are not a part of traveling the Trace from end to end. Multi-day tours through Vicksburg and around the Tennessee River are two of those. Most of these may appeal to local residents.

Throughout the book the author mentions various rules and regulations of the Trace. Although there is a brief section, it would have been useful to see a section with a complete listing: for example, rules for speed limits, parking, picnicing, camping, hiking, etc.

What one will not find in this book is much in the way of practical and general information about bicycling or touring on a bike - what gearing to use, how to pack gear on a bike, how to ride with a fully loaded bike, what is the best way to deal with bicycle problems while on the Trace, etc. One point of interest is that the author provides an 1-800 number that can be called in the case of problems; interestingly the park service does a poor job of signage concerning this number.

The bottom line is that the book would help anyone comtemplating a tour of the Trace to get a better feel for what he or she can expect on the Trace.

The terrain and weather are benign, and the logistical issues are straightforward.

Others have commented that the author assumes readers will know how to pack a bike and how to undertake simple repairs. I think Wanner's omission is a positive feature--there are other books that do these jobs thoroughly.

Bicycling the Natchez Trace excels with the great number of side trips described, which will be most useful for locals who are able to periodically re-visit the Trace.

For all of that, Wanner's book doesn't "speak" to me as a cycle tourist; his rhythms and pace do not closely approximate my own. Experienced tourists will understand my comment, and I would encourage beginning bikers to read other books by other authors to discover which ones work best them. For me, Nadine Slavinski works well.

Well written, accurate usable advice for bikers. The historic facts as well as geography ( mileage to stores, attractions, facilities) were right on the money. I used the book to do the northern 125 miles of the trace. I am preparing for a southbound ride next and will use this book.
john

If I had to nominate a book for "Worst of 2005", this would be my nomination. I cannot say one positive thing about it.
A waste of time, money and trees. Pure schlock.

Steven Womack is one of the best authors I have ever read. His books have won many awards. He wrote the Harry Denton series about a PI and also the Jack Lynch series about a PR guy. By Blood Written is his best. It is a page turner. Once you start reading you will not put it down until you have completed the book.

It is about a bestseller crime writer who murders and then writes fictitious accounts of them. The problem is you will like the writer/murder. It is so well written that I had a nightmare about the writer.

I highly recommend this book and any book Steven Womack writes.

Sergeant Hinton "Hint", Hamilton County, Tennessee, Sheriff's Department, Homicide Squad, knows this killer's MO already. So when a detective informs Hint that one of the victims at a crime scene is missing a couple of body parts, Hint knew where they could be found. Hint simply phones FBI Agent Hank Powell, tells him that a couple more bodies have been found, and for him to come up to Nashville immediately.

Author Michael Schiftmann was tired of his books never hitting NY bestselling list. So he decides to give his stories a more realistic touch. To accomplish this, Michael becomes a serial killer. With this experience, Michael can realistically write out the violent scenes within his novels. Of course, the public loves it and Michael begins hitting those bestselling lists.

Michael and his literary agent, Taylor Robinson, fall in love and wedding bells can be heard. But an FBI agent and a local Nashville detective have somehow found a link. Michael may have to kill Taylor in order to keep his dark secrets.

***** Author Steven Womack has written what I like to call a "Woo Woo!" From the first page until the last, this story kept my attention riveted. I simply could not stop reading. I only stopped reading so I could order pizza for the family; I did not want to take time out for cooking. Yes, this story is that fascinating. If you enjoy thrillers, but do not mind some graphic details, this book is more than worth your time and money to pick up. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Make up your own superlatives. This most gifted of the "New Southern Writers," if such a category exists, literally explodes onto the hard-cover novel scene. Steven Womack is so deft, so solidly talented, so absolutely riveting a writer that it's virtually impossible for the reader, once past the first few chapter, to abandon the book for any less than a life-threatening reason. Okay, so maybe that's a little overboard. Mystery fans, however, might do well to focus on the silly puzzle of why Severn House, the book's clearly inept British publishers, have failed so miserable in distributing and publicizing this obvious top-of-the lists nascent best-seller. "By Blood Written," to any intelligent bookseller, is a goldmine on paper. You might pause in reading it, you might finish it, but you cannot forget it.

I have read all of Steve Womack's books and this, by far, is the best one yet! I sat down and started to read the book and was able to read the first four chapters before I had to put the book down. The next day I picked the book up again and could NOT stop reading until I was completely done. The story is riveting, the writing superb. John Grisham, look out!

Just a word of advice to anyone thinking of submitting an article to Bowmaster's magazine, where Don Kirk serves as editor...Don't!

Don will do anything he can to keep from paying his contributors. Do yourself a favor and send your articles elsewhere.

Don Kirk is a master outdoors writer. He has covered the Smokey Mountains better than anyone alive. This is probably the best guide on fishing this area. On the previous comment about "not paying contributors." Don contracted me to cartoon and illustrate for BowMasters...I was ALWAYS paid promptly!

An earlier review stated that this book was too old. I did not find that to be the case. Mr. Kirk's understanding of the lay of the land still applies and helped me immensely. As many people know who fish regularly and often, streams and rivers change and rechange. The book tells about enough places that any fisherman could find fun, enjoyment and plenty of fish. The book was enjoyable to read, not stale or boring. His style is easy going and he gives you the confidence to take off on an adventure to the Smokeys or to any place a fisherman would enjoy fly fishing. I recommend it for the novice or expert fly fisherman!! I have read it and I have bought copies for my sons. Enjoy!!

Don Kirk has not been the editor for Bowmasters magazine for almost 2 years now, if you want to make derogatory statements you might wish to learn all the facts before you speak. Anyway the Book is outstanding as with anything Don Kirk writes and cant wait till the next revision of this Book which I and many others consider the bible for Trout Fishing in the Smokey Mountains

Much of the information in the book is out-of-date. Especially info about the rivers in the Great Smokies National Park. According to 2 different flyshops in the Cherokee NC area, those rivers have not been stocked for 20 years since the federal hatchery on Bradley Fork was closed.

well written ,lots of history not that scary ,but a good read

After working at a few bookstores in the Chattanooga area for the last several years, one phenomenon I have noticed has been the enthusiasm behind this book. After it was released, it created a huge buzz around the city and it frequently sells out in the book stores I have worked in.

One thing that is great about working at a bookstore is the (sometimes quite in-depth) conversations with customers about books. That is the true honesty you get about how good a book really is, and the conversations generated about this book have been some of the most memorable. It is always fun to hear stories from customers about their own personal experiences with the unexplained as a part of these conversations as well.

When I first began reading this book I could not put it down. One good test to see if a book about ghosts is really great is how often the hairs stand up on the back of your neck, and it happens frequently with this book, especially for those that live in the Southern Tennessee Valley area where these stories hit close to home. This is not because the ghosts are malicious, for the most part they are not, but because the context of the well-researched history, setting, and eyewitness accounts make you feel like you are witnessing these happenings yourself.

The main thing I love about the book is the style of the writing. A book about "real" ghosts could just present data for reference for the ghost buffs wanting to read about hauntings around the area, but Kotarski has written this book in beautiful prose that flows well through the pages and holds interest from cover to cover.

Also, the book does not seem to try to prove or disprove that these ghost rumors are true, but rather present the accounts and folklore and let the readers decide for themselves. This makes it a great read for anyone whether they just want to read it for ghost lore and spooky stories, or for those wanting a reference guide with accounts of paranormal activity and the evidence behind them, or both.

I highly recommend this book for anyone, just as I do frequently at the book store I work at, because not only is it an entertaining read, there is a lot of history to be learned about Chattanooga and the Southern Tennessee Valley area in a fun way. I hope a sequel will be soon forthcoming!

"Ghosts of the Southern Tennessee Valley" is light reading, serious neither as history nor as spectral "science." This is not a bad thing.

"This collection leans heavily toward local history," writes Georgiana Kotarski, who leaves open whether she believes in ghosts and haints. As such, it leans heavily on old newspaper accounts, although she also interviewed people who believe or suspect they have encountered ghosts in their homes or, in many cases, around locales of the Civil War battles of Chattanooga and Chickamauga.

My family settled in the "southern Tennessee valley," as Kotarski calls it, in the 1880s and did not tell ghost stories. Although one of the ghosts here, Oscar Carlson, was murdered just a hop and a step from where my mother grew up, she tells me she never heard that he haunted her part of Signal Mountain. It makes a good story, though.

Most of the ghosts are benevolent or just wistful. Only one or two allegedly tried to harm or frighten the people who encountered them. These are not particularly scary ghosts.

All in all an amusing excursion into local history, or a part of it. Although some of the ghosts here were black, all of the relaters appear to be whites.

Being from Generations of Southern Tennessee Valley Family Ancestry, thought it was truly amazing that a book was written about this area. Really neat!! Got as a gift for my husband, also from the same area. Read about the author from our small hometown paper. Had to support her. Thanks for another take on our small towns with the amazing ghost stories.

Although it is regional in scope, Georgiana Kotarski's "Ghosts of the Southern Tennessee Valley" is a worthwhile read for anyone who likes true ghost stories. Kotarski has collected thirty ghostly tales from the southern Tennessee River Valley, an area that comprises southeast Tennessee, northwest Georgia, and north Alabama, an area rich in history and rich in "haints."

In a vivid and entertaining style, Kotarski recounts the story of the headless ghost of bandit king John Murrell; the spirit of little Nina Craigmiles, whose tears stain red the white marble of her tomb; Green Eyes, the creature who roams Georgia's woods and wilds; and other assorted ghosts, many of whom haunt the Civil War battlefields of Chickamauga and Chattanooga.

This is Kotarski's first book, but I hope she will write more. "Ghosts of the Southern Tennessee Valley" makes a great addition to any ghosthunter's library.

John Kachuba
Author of Ghosthunting Ohio and Ghosthunting Illinois
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