Tennessee Books

This was my stepfather's grandfather and his namesake. So this became very personal for me. He gives great detail of what was going on in his time, mentions very many names of persons in the congregations he served through the years. Also much commentary of those ministers attending conferences. There are so many personal insights into his life and those around him, including the poisoning of his own infant by a nanny too busy to bother with a crying infant. It is historic as well as philosophical, so it is a bit of a dry read, but well worth the effort. Amazing how the early church was organized and administered. I think anyone involved in ministry would find it inspiring.

Martinez here summarizes the literature on bateyes and the Dominican sugar industry, which is primarily in Spanish or unavailable to audiences in the US.

There are other books that deal directly with immigration from Haiti from a political, human rights, or folklore perspective. This book explains the mechanics of haitian immigration to bateyes and relates it to the body of theory about immigration and transnationalism. It's a narrow subject, but if you, like me, have a strong connection to the rural poor of the eastern half of a small island relatively close to Miami, or if you are interested in immigration as a social phenomena, you should find this to be fascinating reading. The key questions for him are about who immigrates to the DR and why.

If the subject of migration theory doesn't really excite you, but you're still interested in Haitian cane cutters in the DR, the bibliography will be immensely useful for you in assembling your own study. Kicks journalistic interpretations (c.f. Michelle Wucker) in the pants, and short of sitting in the library of El Museo Del Hombre Dominicano in Santo Domingo, it's probably the best place to start if you want to understand bateyes and a bit of the context of Haitian labor in the DR.

"In researching for a parenting book that would help me to instill leadership principles in our four sons, as well as the writing students I teach, I found this book to be an invaluable resource. When I first read Russ Rogers' statement about getting rid of the rules, I thought, 'Oh sure!' By the time, I finished reading the chapter, I wholeheartedly agreed that we need to address the 'heart' rather than trying to regulate with more rules. Our government could learn a few things! His down-to-earth examples of life with his own family and business dealings were a great help! I appreciated former Secretary of State Haig's statement that leadership and character can be developed by study and example. Curtis Zimmerman shared how to spot a true leader: 'Look within your circle of influence, find the "real people" whom you respect, who aren't multitasking you, who look at you when you talk and give their undivided attention, and who fully engage in life.' Couldn't we all learn from that? The applications of this book can range from parenting to education to businesses to our national government! Truly, a useful book!" --Tamera McFaddin, Teacher, wife and mom to four sons/future leaders
The 17 Laws of Parenting

I couldn't believe what I was reading! It is astounding and well-written. Phillips offers a completely objective perspective on the most shocking history imaginable for a town such as Bristol. "Pioneers" offers a glimpse into a world that was in our region and remains ignored. The corrupt, the fights, the evolution of a town and the ghosts of the past remain in the minds of many. It's apparent that Phillip's desire to retain the colorful history of the region will continue to amaze and fascinate new generations.

I just finished reading this book by my father. After years of research, he has brought together the folklore, tales and trials of our pioneering family in rural Tennessee. I am proud of my heritage and the way they overcame the difficulties presented by the depression as American farmers fully reliant on God. If you enjoy reading real stories about common people in extraordinary circumstances, you will enjoy this book. It is filled with charming stories, pictures, letters, and the geneology of the Chaffin family. Family member or not, you will travel back to an earlier age in this country when hard times gave way to simple pleasures, reliance on God and each other. Thanks, dad, for taking the time to put together such a wonderful book.

I am a Cree pipe carrier who has chosen to do a doctorate degree. I would like to weave my cultural path in with the demands of scholarly writings. I would like to write to the author about my dissertation and the truth of the Christian-Cree Path. Could you please forward my request to the author. My name is Grizzly Who Packs Good Medicine and I would be honoured to speak with the author.

My title is used by the author to describe the outcome of the conflict between tobacco buying monopolies and tobacco farmers in Kentucky and Tennessee in the early 1900s. The so-called Black Patch War and related attempts in central Kentucky's burley region to resist monopoly began with the creation, in 1889, of the American Tobacco Company by James B. Duke. Competition ended, prices fell below the cost of production, and recalcitrant farmers responded by attempting to "out organize the organizers." The more well known sensational aspects of this saga ensued with the Night Riders or "Silent Brigade" of farmers belonging to the Planters Protective Association coercing independent farmers or "hillbillies." The most spectacular raid occurred on Hopkinsville, KY in 1907 in which 500 masked men wreaked havoc, causing $200,000 damage and spurring reluctant government officials into action.

Tracy Campbell's book recounts the end of small farmer republicanism and the rise of agribusiness. He clearly sympathizes with the farmers, with the book's central focus pitting the forces of monopoly against the ability of tobacco producers to organize and maintain unanimity. He identifies with the farmers' emphasis on the common good and assails private accumulation. This book successfully broadens the scope of earlier Night Rider interpretation from simply the violence to the rise and fall of the "movement culture." The Black Patch War is placed in the tradition of American agrarian unrest and insurgency. This book is well written, researched, and organized. Some disagreement regarding his conclusions by historians inevitably resulted, but it warrants reading by anyone interested in rural or agricultural history or the more salacious aspects of business-labor unrest. The violence of the War and the region in general are also expertly related and analyzed in Suzanne Marshall's Violence in the Black Patch of Kentucky and Tennessee. Campbell's work stresses the harm to society created by sanctioned monopoly and claims that the entire episode previews "ominous things to come." In the words of Night Rider organizer Dr. David Amoss, "It is a fight between the working classes and the plutocracy, those who labor, and those who exploit labor,... a fight to the finish."

Known primarily for being the home of America's country western music, Tennessee is actually a lot richer in culture and history than people might suppose. This book will explain all that to you.

The "Portrait of America" series is a wonderful introduction for pre-teens to the 50 states and to the places and events that shaped the history of the United States. This "Tennessee" installment is particularly good. The book is broken down into sections like "History", "Culture", "Economy" etc., and each section is thoughtfully written and edited. The "Culture" section is especially good and is very inclusive.

This book, as well as the entire "Portrait of America" series, will prove to be a valuable teaching tool to all primary school educators.

"Portrait of America" was a popular video documentary series in the mid-eighties, a product of collaboration between Superstation/Turner Broadcasting Corporation and Ambrose Home Video. Well-researched, each video is divided into 5 segments covering most unique historical, social, and cultural aspects of each state. Watching such an interesting documentary, each being roughly about 50 minutes long, without advertisements and other interruptions seems to be a privilege in these days!

This book is not full of frills, but it lays out from the beginning the earliest history of people from Dickson and surrounding areas. This book is close to 800 pages long, and is VERY thurough to say the least. Also, it has alot of maps and pictures that help give the reader context. Over all, if you are interested in History or are from the DIckson or surrounding area, this is a must have!