Tennessee Books

This book is excellent. The author lives in East Tennessee and has spent untold hours in the woods of this state. His detailed account of each campsite is a wonderful resource for those wanting to go camping away from it all. He details many sites which I would not have known exist if I hadn't bought this book. The layout of is great, with a 1-5 star rating of each campsite's privacy, spaciousness, quiet, security, and beauty. Also included is a (semi) detailed map of the campsite itself.
I like his candid writing: he is not afraid of PC, and so if he likes or dislikes a site, he will come right out and say it, even indicating which sites are his personal favorites in the book.
I own one more of his books, and any time I camp in another state, this will be the first authority I check, because of his ability to steer you in the direction of nature and not just some commercial campsite.

As an avid camper, although one who seems to have less and less time to camp the older I get, I often buy guidebooks to steer me in the direction of destinations I may find interesting. Usually I am disappointed, either by the format of the book, the accuracy of details, or the quantity of info. Molloy has surpassed my expectations. The book is user friendly, accurate in detail (I've been to many of the sites reviewed, and now plan to go to many others with this as my guide), and the quantity of sites reviewed will fill many many trips. It would be very easy to plan an entire trip using nothing but this gem. Way to go Molloy, I'll definitely check out your other guides in the future.

Just what I was looking for! I live in Middle Tennessee and was surprised at the tent camping places in my own backyard that I didn't even know about. The easy directions and important information like camping rates, opening and closing times, and a detailing of all the fun activities at each campground, really make life easier. I have been looking for fun tent camping with my child that's close to home and this really helped me to narrow my options. I can't wait to get camping! Molloy did the leg work, now I get to have the fun! Mr. Molloy, you are my camping guru!

This small book should be must reading for those, both Northerners and Southerners, who want to know why we Southerners think like we do. Dr. Bolsterli's book about growing up in the 30's and 40's in the Arkansas Delta is wonderful. In writing about race, food, violence, the Confederacy, family, etc., she hits a lot of targets. At the risk of being trite, you will indeed laugh and cry. I suggest to better experience the book that it be read while eating a bowl of pot likker with some cornbread crumbled up in it. Buttermilk might also be helpful

Very much like my childhood, sans the farm. A wonderfully written memoir that would make an excellent gift to anyone who grew up in the South before integration. The phrase "common" was something I learned as a child - to be "common" was to bring shame or disgrace to one's self and family. "Don't do that, Rachel," my friend's mother said "it's common." No other explanation was needed.

The carefree childhood days of Bolsterli's (and my own) South are gone now, having long been replaced by asphalt, industry, and the complexities that seem to be a necessary part of modernization. Bolsterli tells of daring feats with neighbor children, of playing without the constant adult supervision that is a must for today's child. I well remember long afternoons spent in our neighborhood, without anyone worried about my whereabouts, let alone my safety. Then there is the dark time, a murder in the family, with the polite perceptions and differing accounts - it's all there and Bolsterli tells it so well.

A good book to read at least once more.

As I child, I passed by the author's childhood home many times when visiting my friends the Rices in nearby Watson, Arkansas. There were always brief comments about the stately Southern home at the end of the long drive and the important, cultured family that had lived there for generations. So, when I first read BORN IN THE DELTA, immediately after it was published, my reaction was partly personal.

It is a beautifully crafted portrait of unique aspects of the Southern culture that still persists in the Mississippi Delta region. Each chapter tells a readable, retell-able story about everyday topics that range from the manners we taught our children, to Southern cooking at home. From the meaningfulness to children of a lively backyard pond, to the way proud Southern families artfully coped with the financial stresses of a volatile agricultural economy. And each chapter is more colorful, more rich with imagery, more authentic than the one before.

Berstoli's book is also informed by her deep knowledge of language and sociology. Her years in the University of Arkansas' English department provided a platform for continued research into Southern communication styles and social conventions. She has localized this book to a very small sub-region (focused in and around Desha County in Southeast Arkansas), which allows for observations that are much more precise than the popular, overgeneralized Southern stereotypes.

If I taught a class in American History, I would certainly include BORN IN THE DELTA as a text.

My son (11) and I have realy enjoyed O'Steel's book. My husband read alot of these books as a child and I can see why! Fast paced, action, adventure, wonderfully descrpitive....made me wish I was a kid again!

I also read this school, but grade school, and then read every other Wm. O. Steele book I could get my hands on. It was a great intro to the genre of historical fiction and good for girls and boys.

To everyone, I wanted to take a moment to tell you how wonderful this book is. I first read it in Junior High School, I fell in love with it. I mustve read it 3 or 4 times since. Its a wonderful story, like all Steele books it leaves the reader spellbound at the end. The description says ages 9-12 but you can be MUCH MUCH older to enjoy this book. It is really a book for anyone with a sense of adventure and an imagination. :)

Have went on several of the floats in the book, most were on creeks I didn't even know existed. The details for put-ins and take-outs, water mileage, etc. have been very accurate. She speaks in the book of possibly doing another edition later on and I sure hope she does ..

AS AN AVID CANOEIST AND CANOE BUILDER, I FOUND SHERWIN'S BOOK TO CONTAIN MORE THAN ANY CANOEIST NEEDS TO HAVE A FUN AND SAFE FLOAT TRIP. HER INFO ABOUT THE STREAMS IS CORRECT, COULD ONLY COME FROM HAVING BEEN THERE. THIS IS "MUST" BOOK FOR STREAM ANGLERS TOO.

Canoeing in Tennessee is a great resource for canoers of all levels. The maps of rivers and how to find them are detailed and accurate; the author also highlights the local flora and fauna and historic aspects of each segment of water she illustrates. There are lots of books on whitewater canoeing in Tennessee, but this is the only current one I've found on "quiet water" paddling. I highly recommend it for all levels of canoers

I enjoyed this book very much. My Confederate ancestors, of whom I'm very proud, served in West Tennessee regiments during the War for Southern Independence.

The Ninth Tennessee Infantry was also a West Tennessee regiment. In fact, three of my ancestors served in the 6th Tennessee Infantry which was brigaded with the 9th from very early in the war, and was later, Dec 1862, consolidated with the 9th to form the 6th/9th Tennessee Infantry.

Reading this book allowed me to learn & understand what my ancestors may have seen & went through during the struggle.

Another excellent book is Sam Watkins' "Company Aytch". Watkins served in the 1st Tennessee Infantry which was brigaded with the 6th/9th & consolidated with the 27th Tennessee infantry for much of the war.

Another must read is "Tennessee's Forgotten Warriors", " Frank Cheatham and His Confederate Division".

"The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry" is a book that I will re-read many times.

The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry by James R. Fleming (winner of the Jefferson Davis medal for excellence in preservation and research of Civil War history by the United Daughters of the Confederacy) is an in-depth 344-page study of what is known as the "Southern Confederates" who were among the most educated, religious, and prestigious collections of troops to have been involved in the American Civil War. Introducing the reader to documentation consisting of letters, memoirs, war records and obituaries from individuals of the group, The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry enlightens the readers to an little known aspects of the American civil war. The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry is very strongly recommended to Civil War buffs for its new perspective of the American civil war in general, and battles such as Columbus, Perryville, and Atlanta.

The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry by James R. Fleming (winner of the Jefferson Davis medal for excellence in preservation and research of Civil War history by the United Daughters of the Confederacy) is an in-depth 344-page study of what is known as the "Southern Confederates" who were among the most educated, religious, and prestigious collections of troops to have been involved in the American Civil War. Introducing the reader to documentation consisting of letters, memoirs, war records and obituaries from individuals of the group, The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry enlightens the readers to an little known aspects of the American civil war. The Confederate Ninth Tennessee Infantry is very strongly recommended to Civil War buffs for its new perspective of the American civil war in general, and battles such as Columbus, Perryville, and Atlanta.

This was a chapter book for my [...] grandson. We read a chapter each night and it kept him interested and curious about davey's life for weeks... It was a fun book and really sparked his imagination.

Remember The Alamo
Davy Crockett Aileen Wells Parks
The book Davy Crockett is about one of the most famous men in the history of America. It tells about how he became a great hunter with Daniel Boone. One of my favorite parts is where he defended the Alamoe for his country. The book is great if I had a choice from 1to 10 I wold give it a flat 10 all because of its description and its pictures. This is the kind of book that I would conceders to people that love to learn about history.
The author is Aileen Wells Parks. If you ask me I think she writes good books for all ages. I think she should write more and more books for men, women, and children. I encourage her to write more.
The date this book was published was 1986.
A brief discription is when he goes to hunt for his first time he dosen't bring anything home. But the next week when he goes to hunt he finds a new friend named Danile Boone.

As a kid, Davy wanted to be just like Daniel Boone. He hunted the wilderness, protected people from indians, and even joined the government. Soon, he fought in the Alamo, and became a Texan HERO!

If you've been to Graceland, this book will bring back wonderful memories. It's what Graceland's all about: Elvis fans communing with Elvis. I've been to Graceland, I've written on the wall, and I've read the wall. It's funny, touching, slightly goofy, in loving memory graffiti, and this book captures that spirit. It's a great little addition to any Elvis collection.

This brought back so many great memories of our last trip to Graceland. What a clever book!

If you've been to Graceland, then you've probably written on the wall, and this wonderful book brings back all those good memories! I laughed and cried at the graffiti Wright has collected.

Dorie is the history of every woman in East Tennessee who's family comes from "the mountains". A "must read" for any person seeking a peek back in time to what lives were like for those before us and the roots of where we come from.

Dorie:Woman of the Mountains is an excellent book. Very well written - you feel as if you are talking with Dorie herself as she chronicles her life in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. This book is so entertaining you want to read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a most enjoyable trip back in time.

DORIE: WOMAN OF THE MOUNTAINS is an excellent example of new history-making, literature in which one person's story is representative of an era and its people. Dorie's narration of her life in the Great Smoky Mountains during the earliest years of the twentieth century evokes memories of our own old folks and their storytelling. Her account of the often hardscrabble existence she and her family endured in the mountains of East Tennessee is not a depressing one, but a testimony of the pioneer spirit that helped build this nation. Dorie's life straddled the fence between the old ways and the modern age, a time when many people still worked to produce everything their families needed even as other people discovered all the things that money could purchase at the local store or through the Sears or Montgomery Ward catalogues. Education was not always as easily obtained. Jobs became increasingly hard to find as the area was developed into a national park and with the onset of the Great Depression. Through Dorie's story, we get an inside glimpse of life in an isolated but beautiful mountain wilderness, and the ways in which modernity simultaneously improved financial situations and contributed to the destruction of a uniquely American way of life.

Echoes from the Holocaust by Mira Ryczke Kimmelman is a riveting memoir that recounts her life as a child in Danzig to her life in the United States after World War II. Mira describes how the innocence, effulgence, and peace of her youth are shattered once the Nazi troops force her family to leave their home in Poland in October 1939. Embracing her Jewish heritage, Mira tells of how she strives to preserve her identity and pride as a Jew alive by receiving secret Hebrew lessons, attending prohibited Jewish gatherings, and becoming a member of the Zionist movement. Kimmelman refuses to let herself become discouraged when she learns that more than twenty of her family members and friends are killed by the SS officers.

Infused with aspirations, Mira does whatever she can to cope with the persecution she and others receive at the ghettos and concentration camps. After suffering from typhoid, physical torture, starvation, horrendous living conditions, and simple dehumanization, Mira continues to be a burning flame among all the melted candles. All her struggles and lucky moments become learning experiences.

Mira is able to move on with her life, after the end of the war in 1945. She marries Max Kimmelman, another Holocaust survivor, and has several children and grandchildren after. She gives them the names of her relatives and close companions so that her memories of them will live on. Although life in the United States becomes a bit of a struggle, Mira manages to carve out a content life with her husband and family. She continues to encompass her traditions and tell her story of survival.

The memoir is written simplistically, but with very powerful imagery and episodes, that capture Mira's moments effectively. Metaphors, similes, or hyperboles are not necessary to make this memoir memorable. The book is divided into several short chapters that make it an easy read. With cliffhangers at the end of every chapter, this book becomes a real page-turner. An atmosphere of hope surrounds the events Kimmelman depicts and reiterates the idea that Mira has survived for a purpose. No history book can tell a story such as this one. To capture the meaning and depth of the Holocaust, one must go out and read Mira Kimmelman's account.

Mira lived to tell the tale of the holocaust. She's carried the message of strength and forgiveness, of working through the horrors she's lived by bringing the message to all who will listen. This is a strange and different book: on the one hand, so repulsive, so unbelievable, yet, on the other hand, compelling. Several questions ran through my mind: how does a person continue to live with any humanity at all after such an experience; why does one person live, while all the rest die; what kind of magnetism did Mira have that encouraged people to help her?
I've met Mira; she lives here in my home town of Oak Ridge. She will speak before my class. Perhaps my questons will be answered, and I will know who Mira is after all.

From a priveleged upbringing in pre-war Gdansk, the author and her family are deported first to Warsaw then to other ghettos and camps. The book is written in a frank, no-nonsense fashion and she really states the facts about what happened to her and her family. An amazing book and one that everyone should read.

Agressively researched, beautifully written, and wisely presented, this is one of the best books of any kind I've ever read. History, particularly history of such a narrow scope, has seldom been presented in such a moving pageant. It is also fair, treating Native Americans and blacks, Catholics and Protestants with equal fairness and compassion. A truly great work.

I think there should be one of these for every state - a history book of how a state ends up with its religious mix. Luckily, I live in Tennessee and have this little gem of a book to reference. The authors present historic regional tidbits that elementary textbooks often leave out (all properly footnoted and indexed.) But the book doesn't get so far into religion as to forget history by sketching the role of the Indians, the wars and other key political events. And it doesn't get so far into Tennessee history as to overlook what's going on spiritually in the rest of the nation by including the likes of Wesley and Whitefield.

This is a state side version of Marshall's epic "The Light and the Glory." It's a quick read but perhaps goes too quickly through coverage of the last few decades leaving the reader wanting more (perhaps a sequel). Overall, a must read for the history buff and teacher or those wanting to spiritually map the state they're in.

This book is an inspiring account of the history of religion in Tennessee. Chapters like "Paths of Hope, Trails of Tragedy," will help the reader to understand the passions that forged a land---the passion of what people believed that drove them to make the history that is written about in this book. I highly recommend this book, especially for anyone with interest in Tennessee, but also for those from anywhere who love to see how history can be shaped from what people will live and die for.