Tennessee Books

I am primarily interested in the Gibbs Family History, therefore have a unique position. The archaeology terminology and study methods were not as critical to me, but were understandable.

This publication contains 27 chapters of David Hunter's experiences as a former officer of the law. Anyone who has read any of his other publications, definitely should add this book to their collection. He has a unique style of being very candid. His true experiences offer many hours of enjoyable reading. It is a blend of his usual humorous tales as an officer, with a completely different ending that will leave you in tears. I would recommend this book to everyone interested in true crime stories.

In a day where everyone seems to be writing a book on houses, this is a true academic work by a scholar who was formerly a professor of architectural history at the University of Tennesse's School of Architecture (now College of Architecture and Design). Dr Patrick's work took at least 10 years of research and the contemporary photos by his one-time teaching assistant Michael A Tomlan (now a professor himself) were done over a period of 6 years. Period photographs and drawings also illustrate the text.

Chapters are "Early Travelers and Critics", "Techniques and Materials", "Carpenters and Architects", "Patterns, Types, Aesthetics", "The Eighteenth Century", "The Federal Style", "Church Building", "The Greek Revival", "The Romantic Eye", "The Architecture of Southern Nationalism", and "American Styles". Perhaps most interesting is Dr Patrick's assertion that the late, grand plantation houses of the antebellum rich were in a style that was not just a fashion but a movement developed with the culture. That is, that the architecture came about as a result of the complex development of agriculture, slavery, literature and religion and politics of the South. This is an over-simplification of the theory, of course, so I strongly recommend this book to everyone interested in the historic architecture of the South (as there are similarities with surrounding states)and Tennessee in particular.

My only objection to this handsome and handy reference to the historic architecture of Kentucky and Tennessee is that it is only one book when it really deserved to to be two books with addtional buildings. Despite the quality of material presented, the reader might feel short-changed with only the one volume. Although there are some regional similarites in the architecture that one might expect, these buildings are not colonial but rather built after statehoood and reflect the economy, religion, and politics of the locale. That said, the architecture, mostly houses with some churches, that is represented is done with brief but literate text and a good dosage of black and white photographs, mostly contemporary but with some historic views and old drawings as well. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the historic architecture of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Some have complained, over the years, that this book was more novel than biography. Okay, then... what a great NOVEL! This was in my elementary school library in Elgin, AZ, and if I'd studied my textbooks like I studied this, I might have been a MONSTER! Connie Roarke made a great book, and I bless her name for it!

BONUS: Read how Davy was a true Small-government conservative in the Jacksonian (read that "Proto-Clintonian") big-government epoch! It's the true hero tale of the book!

Al

This title is handsomely presented, with rich illustrations and commentary. I was frankly amazed at the thoroughness of the book. Crafts, as well as folk art, are covered along with the fine art pieces. For anyone interested in art in the south, this is a great book. For those who actually live in Tennessee, they will have probably seen some of the pieces represented here---whether it be a painting at the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, TN or one of the many post office murals.

I saw this book in the library and was so impressed I had to have a copy for myself. It is well worth the price.

This book is an excellent choice if you are looking for a more personal look at N.B.Forrest and less study of his battle stratgies.
To quote Capt. Morton from his book's introduction: "The difficulties of writing a history which shall treat fully of each of the myriad factors which make up the multiple of fate will be readily seen to be almost insuperable, and in this narrative not effort had been made to study, to weigh, the immumerable actions and influences which contributed to events; but tather has it been chosen to give a simple recital of those occurences in which the writer, a young officer in his teens, under this imcomparable commander was himself engaged. A close association with the remarkable being whose natural genius for the art of war astonished the world even in that period which has never been surpassed for the development of genius, and oft-exchanged reminiscences with old comrades around the bivouac fires and at reunions, have resulted in the hotting down of the author's experiences in the heroic companionship of the 'Wizard of the Saddle'".

I have always liked this book as my favorite because it is the one that my relatives read who lived near the Bell farm in Admas, TN. They knew the stories past down by their grandparents and parents so the story of Kate, the witch, haunting by appearing in various ways as well as not seen at all. Several of my own family had encounters with the Witch. My great-great-grandfather was Rev. James R. GUNN and my uncle's grandfather was Johnston who was John Bell's close friend. Both of these family farms adjoined the Bell farm.
I highly recommend if you find a copy of this book that you read it.

On Lord Krishna's birthday, a miracle baby is born into THE prominent Hindu family in Mangalam, a village on the southwest coast of India. The general consensus among family members is that the infant must certainly be the avatar, or reincarnation of Krishna. Except Babli, the logical science student in the family, challenges everyone's leap of faith about her tiny cousin. When she catches a glimpse of his long dark hair and sideburns, she quips that he could just as well be Elvis. Neeli, her older sister and aspiring journalist, writes an article about the miracle baby and includes Babli's "Elvis" comment. But the school newspaper editor rejects her story. So to show him she gives the article to her cousin Raji's brand new husband who is the computer specialist for the Memphis Tattler. After the wedding he returns to Tennessee, and passes the article to the editor who is always eager to publish anything "Elvis". The editor changes the article so that it implies that the miracle baby of Mangalam is the reincarnation of Elvis and publishes it. Maggie Duckworth, a filthy rich Elvis fan and certified nut case, reads the article and decides she must go to India, find this child King and return him to his rightful throne at Graceland.

When Maggie-the-oil-magnate arrives in Mangalam with Alonzo-the-Tattler-reporter in tow, a collision of culture, politics, religion, and espionage ignites an hilarious group insanity that reverberates all the way up to the Prime Minister in New Delhi, reducing government officials to what they do best -- pulling solutions out of their collective butts.

"The Avatar" is a movie waiting to be put on film. Oozing with irony, this tale contains the small town political hi-jinks of "Fuse", the blind faith of "Waiting for Guffman", the family feuds of "Cold Comfort Farm", and the baby antics of "Raising Arizona" -- all in one wacky satire. Tabrizi has a whimsical way of lampooning cultural differences to make us laugh at how very much alike we all are on this planet.

Copyright (c) 2005 by Peggy Tibbetts

Anyone living in the Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) will find this travel book to be a practical and useful tool. The author, Eleanor Berman, pairs seasonal activities and local attractions with various locales. For me, this opened my eyes to the many enjoyable short trips my family and I can take without going too far from home. The book contains telephone numbers, driving directions and suggestions for accommodations and restaurants that I likely would never have discovered on my own. My family and I have stayed in several of the book's recommended bed and breakfasts and have been delighted. I keep this book handy to refer to for travel ideas. I reccommend it highly as a thorough and "user friendly" guide to travel in the Southeast.