Having read "Our Restless Earth" by E. Luther, and having just completed a course in geology, I found "A Geologic Trip..." to be the perfect source document for increasing my knowledge of geology. Harry Moore takes you to a site, describes the geology, and gives explicit directions to locate examples of the geology at each site. This book is a must for any amateur paleontologist or geologist, and anyone who has the opportunity to travel I-40 across Tennessee. The book is organized with sidetrips as well, complete with mileage references, and descriptions of what you are viewing at each checkpoint. Mr. Moore has included numerous photos, maps and figures to flesh out what is a very entertaining book, and having read any part of the book, the reader will want to get on the road to visit the locations described.

We used this book to tour the whole state of Tennessee for our Anniversary. Every time we went to a "hidden" recommendation, we found exactly what the book said. We were never disappointed. We also used the AAA book of Tennessee. "Hidden" gave us a better idea of things to do and see. It had general descriptions of areas in addition to city information. We only used the AAA book when we wanted to stay in a chain hotel. The "Hidden" book only suggest non-chain lodging

This is perhaps the sine qua non of trail guides. You will be able to explore the Big South Fork with comfort and ease using Deavers book. If you want day hikes or more challenging distance hikes, this book will help you make your plans. Trail sections are thouroughly explained. Interesting information about the geology and cultural history abound.

I first found this book at my local library, and checked it out for the maximum renewal times just to absorb all the great details of the Cumberland Plateau. Now after buying my own copy I am wearing it out! The depth that Russ goes into and the wonderful insights into not only history, but hiking, camping, canoeing, and other outdoor activites make this book a must for any outdoor adventurer. The information he provided in this revised/updated version was very helpful in planning one of many vacations I will take in the Cumberland Plateau area in the future! Highly recommended!

Whether you're planning a vacation to the Smokies or want to make this beautiful area your home, you'll find a wealth of information in this clearly written, easy-to-use guide. In addition to the comprehensive information you'd expect in a guidebook (dining, lodging, attractions, etc.) you'll also find other essential information including local history, education, media, and real estate. You can even plan a Smoky Mountain wedding using the information in this guide!

One of the hallmarks of the Insiders' series is the inclusion of numerous Insiders' tips in each chapter. These bits of information are invaluable to the traveler, offering advice on everything from money-saving tips to the best way to avoid traffic snarls.

Written in conversational and often humorous style, this book is a must for anyone contemplating a vacation or a move to the Great Smoky Mountains.

The former Executive Director of the East Tennessee Historical Society, present Executive Director of the Georgia Historical Society, has provided an excellent study on the East Tennessee Confederates. In this scholarly, balanced work, Todd Groce details why so many Knoxville and other East Tennessee business men who sided with the South wound up as post-war business leaders in Atlanta, Savannah and other Georgia cities. The area suffered because of this "brain drain" until the South's Marshall Plan (the TVA) arrived in the 1940s. It is interesting that the ET farmers largely sided with the North, while the more "cosmopolitan" businessmen, who had traveled to Baltimore and Philadelphia to buy goods, became Confederates. The complexity of the issue demanded this study. Perhaps no other part of the nation was so delayed in the "healing process" Lincoln had planned as was East Tennessee. Historian Groce's ten years of research bears fruit. Recommended!

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.

No one finishes Child of God with an indifferent impression. Usually I'm sad to finish a good book, but I was happy when this one was over. Child of God is not a modern day morality tale but a complex book that produces a healthy confusion of pleasure and disquietude. The pleasure is derived from the beautiful language, language especially effective when used to describe a character. It's the subject matter which made my mind uncomfortable. The details are too real, the subject too macabre for a moral human to enjoy. At times Lester Ballard seems closer to the "sympathetic apes" in the story than to a man with a conscience. The first sentence and last twenty pages alone are worth the purchase price of the book; what comes in between will race your pulse and curdle your stomach. Don't read this on a camping trip in the woods, but read it.

I have read sevral of McCarthy's other novels. His best ones stretch something to the limit. In it was violence. Here it is simple depravity and lack of concern for other human beings. Lester Ballard is the ultimate user. Other people exist for him only to meet his needs, even if they are dead. I have never before read a book about necrophilia, and yes, as many of the other reviewers point out, reading this book takes a strong stomach. Yet McCarthy achieves something only the greatest writers can pull off, which is making an unsympathetic character sympathetic. Totally in spite of myself, I found myself cheering Ballard on when he outwits the lynch mob and gets away. The only thing I can imagine more outrageous than this book is a sympathetic portrayal of a child molester. Yet, I believe that this is ultimately a spiritual book. I don't think the title is meant to be ironic. I think we are meant to see that even Lester Ballard really is a child of God.

I've noticed that some people don't like CHILD OF GOD as well as the books of McCarthy's Border Trilogy. This is not surprising. McCarthy readers, those who have read all the books, not just the Trilogy, know there is a huge difference in thses works. Without a doubt, BLOOD MERIDIAN is his masterpiece. Don't get me wrong, I like the Border Trilogy books a whole lot, but they are, in actuality, pretty much straight-forward adventure stories. Not so CHILD OF GOD. If more people knew of this book it would have been controversial. It has it all, folks. Murder. Insanity. Necrophilia, even. I dare anyone to say they actually like Ballard. He's twisted and evil and, I'll admit, that's what makes this book so great! McCarthy is able to send many more chills down your spine than any horror writer. Although this may not be the best place to start for the uninitiated, it's not the most unadvisable either. I'd say read the books of the Border Trilogy only after you have consumed all of McCarthy's previous works. Maybe the best place to start would be SUTREE, which I think most would agree is McCarthy's other masterpiece. But, should you not feel like cracking one of those thick volumes, well, just grab hold of CHILD OF GOD and jump on in.

This book is fun to read. The historical aspects of the book hold the book together. As for the narrative it is too self centered. He worries too much about too many things. I can relate to the conflict between powerboaters and others. Some of the areas that he paddles my wife and I have paddled. He offered few details he doesn't side trip at Wheeler into the wildlife refuge,he just rushes through. He set an impossible schedule that made it hard to enjoy the trip. He talks way too much about his dog. We have a dog. Maybe he should have noticed the eagles and the turtles. When we paddle we enjoy the time well spent.

Kim Trevathan's Paddling the Tennessee River: A Voyage on Easy Water is that rare bit of travel writing that manages to be informative, entertaining, and well written. As Trevathan makes his way down the essentially tamed Tennessee River looking for clues to its former wildness and beauty, he goes beyond a mere recording of visual observations and ends up with a story that reads more like a good novel than anything else. In the course of this book, which covers his five week journey down river, he touches on the history of the river and the region, modern eco-politics, the anti-septic world of corporate America (from which Trevathan is on brief hiatus), the prevailing southern stereotypes (will he or will he not be required to squeal like a pig at some juncture of his journey) and the still-surviving beauty of the great Outdoors. In short, this is an ambitious book, a commendation in itself. That Trevathan manages to chew what he has bitten off with humor, insight, and intelligence is a testament to his many talents.
Oh, and you'll love the dog.

Trevathan's account of his canoe trip with his dog Jasper on the Tennessee River is an easy paddling sort of read. Like the trip itself, it's musing, meandering, a little slow in some places, but rapid and tense in others. The book is at its best with sidebars about the river's place in history - more specifically TVA history, descriptions of the Trail of Tears motorcycle ride in Florence, Alabama and conversations with real life characters who manage to make the Tennessee River their livelihood.

Trevathan wrestles with the divergent interests that often conflict with each other. On one hand the TVA dams prevent widespread flooding and destruction of homes, but it also strips the river of its natural beauty. He rails against the large cabin cruisers that create wakes that toss his tiny boat, but then makes friends with a married couple who offer him cold beer and a tour of their luxury houseboat. The book is a reflection of the river --- a flotsam of history, travel, and an indictment of the insanity called "progress." Trevathan has successfully completed two voyages: one was canoeing the Tennessee, the other was writing about it.

This book, with great velocity, pulls the readers through the "must know" aspects of one of the most exciting cities in the US. Very well written and highly recommended.

I got a truly "inside" perspective with Q&A's from some Nashville natives including singers and songwriters --- where they like to eat, where they like to spend free time, etc. The guide gives quite a view of all that Nashville has to offer including annual festivals and events (for example, I live here and I never even heard about 'mule day'! ) and all kinds of recreational activities. not to mention the sections on real estate and education --- essential for anyone moving into the area. all of this in incredible detail. i say "y'all go out and buy yourself a copy".

I HAVE THE NEW INSIDERS GUIDE AND I HAVE ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. I WORK WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NEW TO THE AREA AND THIS BOOK IS A GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO KNOW RESTAURANTS, SITES,TRIPS,SHOPPING, ETC.