Tennessee Books

I must tell how I came across this book. It was before Halloween, and my colleagues and I wanted to do something different this year. We wanted to encounter ghosts, not just folklore. I googled and came across this book. Traveling anywhere, is not a problem for us. If the stories in this novel intrigued us enough, we were going on a ghost hunt for Halloween. As luck would have it though, the book did not reach me in enough time before Halloween, and we were unable to go at Halloween. I cannot say that I believe in ghosts, but my colleagues do.

This book contains 30 ghost stories encountered within the Tennessee Valley and surrounding areas. Each account is related to stories pertaining to the ghostly figures, how or why they reside in that place, and knowing this, makes the ghost stories seem more real. I shall not spoil any ghost stories for anyone. You will also get a history lesson on the state of Tennessee about the Civil War.

The preface of this book will let you inside the mind of the author and who she came about to write these ghastly ghost stories.

For anyone who lives near this area, they should seek out these ghost stories for themselves. I may have to travel one day myself, just to see if I can encounter a ghost. I have never heard of any area having this many ghosts.

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.

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.

***** 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.

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.

Great Book!!! I especially liked the "folksy" way it was written, to give readers a real feel for the frontier, backwoods life in the Eastern States of 200 years ago. It's even endearing to read of Davy's real-life adventures in his own semi-literate writing style. He did make quite a life of his too-short 50 years on this Earth! I also highly recommend American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett, a more recent book by Buddy Levy. This was the first book I've read on the subject of Davy Crockett, and found the reference to "A Narrative...." in it. Also a very enjoyable, and engrossing book, although not written by Davy Crockett himself. Get both! If you have a fascination with American history, as I do, beside sharing Davy's birthday of August 17, you won't be able to put them down until you're through reading them! Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For generations woodtype was used because it was the most efficient way to produce posters quickly and cheaply. Few could forsee the woodtype "look" becoming a style all its own. Hatch Show Print is now the standard for woodtype printing and they have done this by essentially not changing a thing. Many print shops created posters, but only Hatch survived them all to come out on top. Their work is now seen on album covers, product packaging and of course posters. Hatch posters are the very definition of American country music and rock and roll. Nothing beats the sheer tactile quality of a poster produced by hand. This book is a must for designers and music afficianados. Despite being packed with classic posters I only wish this book was about twice as thick with every known Hatch poster included (this is probably unrealistic but I can always hope). Well worth the price of admission none-the-less!

Jim Sherraden, Elek Horvath and Paul Kingsbury's Hatch Show Print traces the evolution of show posters for entertainers, examining links between show poster art and the American entertainment industry from the early 1800s to modern times. Nashville's long-time Hatch Show Print is the focus of this examination, which blends a survey of popular culture with an examination of letterpress and print evolution. Exceptional.

I haven't received the book yet, but I can tell you that the work done at Hatch, both historically and today, is a piece of Americana rarely equalled. Author Jim Sherraden is an amazing artist and craftsman... and, I might add, an extraordinarily nice guy. He's printed several jobs for me and even let me hang around the shop on a couple of trips to Nashville. His personal paintings based on Hatch posters are nothing short of breathtaking. Buy the book and, if you get a chance, stop by the shop in Nashville. These guys are the real deal.

As a designer and printer at Hatch Show Print, this book makes me very proud. Our beloved Jim Sherraden, along with Elek and Paul did an absolutely amazing job collecting, archiving and compiling 123 years worth of incredible letterpress poster history. The images are simply stunning and the stories are engaging. This is a coffee table book that will spend more time in your hands than on your coffee table.
Buy the book and then stop by the shop located in historic downtown Nashville. Get a tour of the shop, see the posters, and have Jim autograph your book!

Hatch Show Print: History of an American Print Shop is a pleasurable read of over a century's worth of poster design, but the accompanying images are what make this book. Chronicle Books has done an incredible job of reproducing this letterpress artwork while retaining all of the charms and details of this unique process. Definitely one of those books you can pick up dozens of time and find something with each new look. There is rumor of an expanded version to come in the future, unfolding more of this shop's extensive history and possibly a new chapter chronicling the more recent designs. I definitely look forward to that!

Jonathan Colcord gave Michael Kosser's wonderful book one star simply because there was nothing in it about bluegrass. That's like giving The Da Vinci Code one star because there's nothing in it about Southern Baptists. The commercial country music that comes from Nashville is not really the same genre as bluegrass. Bluegrass is recorded everywhere, and though Bill Monroe did indeed record in Nashville, bluegrass is usually self-contained, and Monore's recordings did not involve session musicians but his own band, and the songs were his own or traditional, they did not involve the Nashville songwriting or publishing community. Any good engineer will tell you that bluegrass is recorded differently from mainstream country. Bluegrass is great and has even worked its way instrumentally into much of today's Nashville music, but traditionally it has never been associated very much with Music Row. Mr. Colcord says that songwriters should stick to writing songs instead of writing history, but ironically, Michael Kosser has probably written as much history as he has songs.

As a record collector for more than 40 years, I had always wondered just how it was that Nashville became the epicenter of country music. In his latest book "How Nashville Became Music City USA" author Michael Kosser offers up the most comprehensive history of the Nashville recording scene and country music in general that I have ever read. It is compelling and informative reading. Most folks are simply not privy to the inner workings of the recording industry. Kosser tells the fascinating story of "Music Row". It was here that the country music industry was born in Nashville in the mid 1950's. You will be introduced to many of the important and influential players who helped shape the Nashville recording scene. Making a hit record is certainly not a simple process. There is usually a dizzying array of people involved from the songwriters, publishers, promotion people, record label executives and of course the artists themselves. If you have never read a book about the recording industry then "How Nashville Became Music City USA" would be a great place to start. Michael Kosser has managed to unearth a lot of new information I have never seen before. As an added bonus there is a wonderful CD that offers the reader 10 historic "demo" recordings that will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this book. All in all, this was a very well thought out project. Recommended!

I love this book! It's a great window into the happenings of what made Nashville what it is today. Kosser does a fantastic job with letting the Nashville story speak for itself. Great photos and audio CD help to round out the package. A must for all fans of country music!

This book is different than others when writing about country music in general and Nashville especially. I does not dwelve into on more or less interesting stories about the stars and the people, how they live, about their drinking problems etc. But it tells the story about the tunesmiths and producers and of cource of the stars from a new angle. How did this and that song come into existence, how producers became excellent producers sometimes by inconcidents. sometimes from working their way from the bottom to the top, and how stars struggled before they became stars. How the network mattered. that is who knows who in the business, which is a key to succseed in Music City USA. And how some key persons, in the different stages of the development of country music were resposnible to get the country wagon back on track when times got bad. Bur most of all I will empathize the autor`s ability to focus on the less known people who contributeted much more to find new artists and songs and publishers, or who run small labels and publishing companies,than they have been credited for. All in all, a must read for all serious fans of country music.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in country music, or the recording industry in general. Actually, anyone interested in pop music or rock n roll should read this, too -- alongside the great behind the scenes stories about the most famous country stars, there are incredible stories about the roots of rock, and even the invention of the fuzz box!

What makes this book so great is that it does not focus on performers and all the stories we've heard a million times or ones you can read elsewhere, instead Kosser goes to the source, the songwriters and the producers who keep the country music business flowing.

Country music is an odd industry, but there is a reason why it remains huge -- great songs. This book tells the tale through the words of the men and women who made it happen, and it is about time someone did. I love to read about Hank and Patsy (both in this book, too!) but to hear where Elvis got his songs and especially about the machine that made stars in the 90s is to really learn something about people and the music business.

This is a great book... and funny, too. My favorite book about music in years!