Tennessee Books

This book should be required reading for anyone from Fountain City to Cherokee Blvd.

If you liked vol. 1, then here's more of the same great stories about that "scruffy little city" in the middle of East Tennessee. Neely not only knows his stuff, but he also has a great way with words.

Writing quality: 5 stars Entertainment value: 5 stars Historical accuracy: 5 stars Educational value masquerading as fun: 5 stars

Every city should have a Jack Neely. This book consists of 1 to 3 page vignettes of local, often-offbeat history of Knoxville, Tennessee. Most were originally published in MetroPulse, the town's alternative newspaper. (For a sample of his work, his latest column can usually be found on the newspaper's web site.)

Neely is insightful in his choice of topics and his historical accuracy is top-notch. While focused on Knoxville, Neely ties his stories into broader trends in Southern and US history. Reading this book, you get a feeling for what daily life was really like in small American cities at various times in the past.

Neely has two of these books, Secret History and Secret History II

This book contains a lot of information and history, however, is not a dry and boring history lesson. It is easy to tell that the author spent a lot of time in research and checking the facts. It brings out how an industry is built and the people behind it. I learn much about my father that I did not know. It is the best peice of non-fiction that I have ready in many year.

I have the found the book a very accurate portrayal of the musical indusrty in Nashiville during the 1950's. The pictures, names, and narratives brought back many warm memories of growing up in Nashville and
my family's part of Nashville's musical heritage.

SuzanneTureman Zahn

I bought the book as a Christmas gift for my husband. He loves Nashville and all the early singers that got started there. The book was a big hit!

Glass has quickly became one of my favorite authors! She displays the love of ghosts with superb writing! Heath Matthews proves why he is one of Franklin, Tennessee's best known Historians. This book combines "his" expertise in the Civil War and "her" ghost stories- without compromising the history. Well-done!

Great book! This is a must have for anyone who is interested in the ghostly legends along with the historical facts of the Civil War. What more could anyone ask for! Enjoyed this book immensely.

This is a fine gift for aficionados of books about the War of Southern Independence. Debra Johnston Glass's writing is always excellent and the material has been beautifully researched.

"Sometimes There's a Dove" is an excellent study of the deep south during the depression. Clair is a naive young girl who looks at the world as a beautiful place, even with the darkness of war and poverty around her. Clair is searching for the white dove without realizing the glorious dove is also within herself and is helping her to find peace where there is none. The carefree growing up of a child in the midst of poverty and war, exhibit's the undying strength of humanity and speaks to the basic good in all of us. The story encourages that no matter what is going on around you, life is worth living and beautiful. The quiet scenes of nature and the wonderful, funny characters make this an excellent story that keeps you turning pages deep into the night.
Nancy Havens MS MFT CADC

I haven't enjoyed a book this much in years! Simply put, Sometimes There's a Dove is what this world has been lacking. History comes alive in this fun and entertaining story of a family and their tests and trials during depression, world war and poverty.

The opening line of this story will catch you, hold you and never let you go! "Summer's end was nearing in 1939 and the great depression, that had attached itself to the world like a giant leach, kept its solid grip. Daddy's search for a decent job seemed to be as fruitless as the fig tree that Jesus smote." Very enjoyable, entertaining and enlighting. I never knew that we were attacked right here on our very own shores of America during ww2! I learned a lot of facts from this simple tale, it was really well written and fun and the laugh I got when I read about the rooster's funeral made Sometimes there's a Dove worth every cent I paid, yet this wasn't all, by far. These 168 pages are crammed full of life as the characters reach out to you from the past and enclude you in their lives and times. A must read!!!!! Buy it today, you WON'T be sorry!

I loved this book! Written by a truly Southern writer drawing on her heritage, Sometimes There's A Dove is an absolutely fabulous read that you can - and I certainly did! - get lost in. It chronicles the life of a little girl growing up in the South during the late 1930's - early 1940's. It is fabulous, and I'm looking forward to more books by Cynthia Ward. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed a book this much.

I recently carried my copy of Southern Seen on a trip to the North Carolina mountains. I enjoyed reading it while drinking iced tea in a Pawley's Island hammock overlooking the Blue Ridge Parkway. The reflections on the south, the civil war, faith, and life, were insightful and fun. Thank you, Larry, for compiling a terrific collection of your finest essays.

In my work I train employees who are new to the South. I have referenced and recommend McGehee's book to people seeking answers to the important cultural questions.

What is the history and origin of the Mint Julep?

With a non-abrasive look at all things Southern, it is a classy addition to new employee training packets. Lifelong Southerners and first time visitors will enjoy McGehee's accessible, intelligent, and refreshing perspective on what he has seen.

I will always treasure my copy of Southern Seen. It is absolutely delightful in style and in meaning. Every southerner will identify with the essays of our beloved and mysterious culture, and for everyone else, it should help you understand what you are missing out on. I have shared this book with atleast a dozen people who have all come back to tell how much they have loved it. I highly recommend this book!

I had the good fortune of personally meeting Col. James Haun in his later years. Still a formidable man and quite handsome, I was struck by the sparkle in his eye and his dashing demeanor. At the time, his memoirs had not yet been published, but as I read them recently in "Spitfire Wingman" I could envision this dashing young pilot and all the daring adventures retold his his book. This is a technical book for his fellow flyers, but also a lovely romantic reminisance of an era gone by for the rest of us. A great read! Vickie Williams, Nashville, TN

A fascinating book!. I got the First Edition from Col Haun, himself, then the new, expanded book from his son, Jim. Col Haun saw the Air Force from a very wide perspective-fighters, transports, Europe and the Hump. A son of the Depression,he was sworn into the Tennessee National Guard by then-Major William Tunner, who became the foremost proponent of military airlift.





With the advent of World War Two, Jim Haun flew the P-47 in Europe. In fact, for a long time, he had his very own Thunderbolt; two, in fact. When a Luftwaffe attack destroyed the first one,a new one was cobbled together. Later in the war, Col Haun transferred to the China-Burma-India (CBI)Remembering An Unsung Giant - The Douglas C-133 Cargomaster and Its People Theater, where he flew transport missions over the Hump.





Col Haun continued in the Air Force and transports. Near the end of his service, he was assigned as vice-wing commander of the 1501st Air Transport Wing, Travis AFB, CA, where he checked out in the huge Douglas C-133 Cargomaster. His years of experience stood him in good stead in several situations with that airplane, including a seat-of-the-pants landing at Cape Canaveral, after the airplane lost all electical power.





After his retirement, Col Haun returned to Tennessee. There, he stayed in aviation as an instructor and working on home-built aircraft.





James Haun was a pilot who did his own thing, in many instances, and succeeded. He was a proud pilot and patriot who exemplified the highest qualities as a man, a an officer and a pilot. He was fittingly admitted to the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame.





His book is interesting, fun and very informative.

I am fascinated by many of the very frank and unvarnished comments made by J.R. Haun in this published work. These comments get to the bottom of "what really happened" in a hurry! As the son of the Commander of Ninth Air Force during WWII, I was able to connect Haun's comments with what I was told as a teenager after my father's return from Europe in 1945. Having thus been able to confirm the author's credibility, I devoured this most interesting and unusual story. A Gem and a Keeper!
Hoyt S Vandenberg,Jr. Maj. Gen. USAF Ret.

This book is really great. The author has included some out of the way places that are part of the Chattanooga Battles. He uses mainly primary resource material centered around the Official Records of the Civil War following the US Army War College style. This guide allows the reader to draw some conclusions on his or her own which makes it really a fun way to tour the battlefields. The maps are clear and concise. Definitely a must have book for Battlefield Trampers!

This is what historical touring literature is all about. The format in this book is fantastic for touring Civil War battlefields. Following the miliary style of the Staff Ride, the author lets the battle unfold for the reader in a truly unique way that must be experienced. This books covers a complex subject which is not easy to tour without a guide book. The Chattanooga Battlefield is a victim of urban sprawl but this book brings it to life anyway. I highly recommend this book. It is the best tour book on Chattanooga period. One warning though. This book requires some knowledge of the battle if the reader wants to fully experience the tour. Still, the novice will find it easily understandable and well written. The author's experience as a tour guide shines through. In short, if you want to tour the battlefields of Chattanooga, this book will serve you well at a bargain of a price. I cannot give it a higher recommendation!

As an avid battlefield tourist, I love nothing more than finding a great battlefield guidebook. In July 2004, I took a trip to Chickamauga and Chattanooga to tour the Civil War sites there. I bought this guidebook, as well as "Guide to the Battle of Chickamauga" written by the same author (also an excellent guidebook, by the way), and found them to be to be the best two I've ever used.

Mr. Spruill overlayed troop movements over topographic maps, making for an excellent set of maps. Mr. Spruill guides the tourist masterfully to the sites in and around Chattanooga, describing what happened at each stop very clearly. He provided plentiful first-person accounts throughout the book to give the tourist extra insight into what happened at each stop. Finally, he scattered through the text photos of commanders, old photos of the battlefield and city, and modern photos of several of the sites. Throughout, it makes for a great guidebook.

This guide really is only for those dedicated enough to travel to all the rather widely dispersed sites around Chattanooga and those who have the time. If you plan on spending several days at Chattanooga, buy this guidebook. It is well worth the money, and finding all those hidden sites associated with the Siege/Battle of Chattanooga is very rewarding.

I first heard about this book on a PBS program and found a copy in a local bookstore. It is chock full of wonderful photographs, great recipes, and lots of historical information about Christmas from all around the state. I highly recommend this book as a holiday gift for any current or former Tennessee resident, or those that enjoy this type of book.

College in Maryville, TN showed me its unique culture and traditions I hadn't known in Chicago. They are so interesting are beautiful. The book brings it all back in its fullness and beauty. The photographs are real, and stories just from Tennessee. It's a wonderful gift for anyone who has ever lived in Tennessee.

I was plesantly suprised at the high quality, and the way Christmas traditions were presented. More than just another Christmas book, a great book about Tennessee, some wonderful recipes, and sentimental stories. A great coffee table book and a great idea for anyone who's from Tennessee

Tennessee Williams (Born Thomas Lanier Williams) has always been one of my favorite American authors. I highly recommend this reading for literature students and blooming actors alike. TW has the ability to add colorful symbolism to real emotions coming out of real people without sounding pretentious.

These books should be required reading in advanced high school. But are probably omitted due to the sexual undertones that are in TWs writing.

Certainly books that can be enjoyed later in life.

The three choices for this volume fit very well together. All three include themes that are so often covered in Williams' work. Bizarre family situations, unrequitted love and battles within the self are portrayed, often brutally, in these works. For example, the struggle experienced by "Maggie the Cat" in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is a raw blend of self hatred, self love, longing for what can't be mixed with a fearsome attempt of "keeping up appearances" within the confines of a, to say the least, very unhealthy extended family situation. I think another fine example of Williams' flair for the, shall we say extraordinary, is "Suddenly Last Summer." It's not easily described without giving away many shockers so I won't spoil that here. I highly recommend this volume as the two I just mentioned are absolutely fantastic. Also, don't ever pass up the chance of seeing the film versions of these (I speak of the originals in this case).

In the history of theatre, I am sure that future generations will find that Tennessee Williams was the one playwright who not only wrote of the neuroses and souls of his fellow Americans, but did so with extraordinary beauty and grace.

In this collection one can find three of his most famous plays, two of which, unhappily, do not seem to be revived very often. So although it is always better to SEE a play rather than READ it, that may not be very easy.

"Orpheus Descending" deserves to be rediscovered--a highly poetic, gothic horror story of the battle between art, spirit, soul and sensuality, sexuality. Originally written for the brilliant Italian actress, Anna Magnani, it was in fact played on Broadway by the equally brilliant American, Maureen Stapleton.

"Suddenly Last Summer" was actually the basis for a very long, very self-conscious study I did for a college psych. class. Here in one of Williams most "symbol-laden" plays is his cry for an unfeeling world to accept human beings with all their faults (BECAUSE of all their faults, perhaps?) told through the disturbing memories of a woman whose family wants those memories shut up at any cost.

All three movie versions of these plays are faithful to the originals UP TO A POINT. Try to see the plays, but if that is impossible do yourself a favor: read all of Williams, including his poetry and short stories, and start with this thrilling volume of 3 of his best plays. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

David Hunter pens a wistful memoir of his childhood in the hills of East Tennessee (with a short stint in South Carolina). As a child, Hunter was precocious and imaginative - a boy who could make arrows out of reeds and bottle tops, turn an adding machine into the control board of a space ship, and transform any number of common household items into innovative toys. Always tagging along was his little brother, Larry, reminding this reviewer of a 20th century Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. The stories told are delivered with humor and wit, in an engaging style. Hidden within the text of each chapter is a subtle moral learned by the delightfully adroit David. Hunter has grown from an imaginative boy into an imaginative man, whose creativity as a writer brings pleasure to his host of fans, of which I am one. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and recommend it highly.

Hunter's collection of memories are perfect gems. Each is a complete story that tells us about a childhood incident. It is a warm retelling of childhood adventures and misadventures. His honesty and humor shine through the entire book making it a pleasure to read and a great break from a hectic day. It doesnt make me long for those long lost days, but Hunter's book makes me glad he lived them and is willing to share with us.

This is an account of the boyhood of David Hunter, a retired police officer from Tennessee. He is now a columnist for the Knoxville News-Sentinel. His book touches the heart, truly, with its frank account of his humble beginnings, which have culminated with him as published author of some six - eight books, I've lost track. His other books are about his police experiences, and will make you laugh and cry. His stories are funnier than any cop stories I've ever read, and more true to life than anything of Wambaugh's (they ARE true, every one but JigsawMan, which is a fictionalized account of a true story). Read the other books, they're even better than this one.