Inman Majors, in this his debut novel, captures in Jason Sayer the voice of a generation. Sayer embodies the lethary and aimlessness that appear to characterize the 1970's and 1980's. Say, one of Jason's nicknames, "says" much about himself and those around him.

Majors'descriptions of Knoxville, particularly West Knoxville, plant the reader in southern suburbia. I have really read no one in recent times who captures the culture and soul of surburban America as well as Majors.

If you are a University of Tennesse graduate or have ever lived in Knoxville, you will find this book moving and entertaining. Majors includes all the familiar haunts: the Strip, Old Town, assorted bars, and of course the shadow of UT football. Readers will identify with Jason and his friends on forays in Knoxville and to Atlanta (the classic road trip).

Majors deliberately omits the use of any quotation marks, at first an upsetting style to this reviewer, but the more I read, the more I identified the style with Jason's voice, and I began to swim in sky with him.

Inman Majors' characters are caught in the peculiar place between suburbia, the Tennessee hills, and the dubious urbanity of Knoxville, Tennessee. Through the eyes of Jason Sayer, main character and narrator, they walk through the world with bewilderment, anger, and most importantly, senses of humor intact. In particular, Jason's (Say's) perspective on his sometimes nightmarish world is marked with a skewed, self-deprecating humor that renders him likable, intelligent, and trustworthy as a narrator. He is on a quest to come to terms with a universal inertia that many of us have felt, at different times of life, in different parts of the world. Major's achievement is that he's put us in a particular place by using vivid writing and great detail, from the description of the sluggish Tennessee River "running" through downtown Knoxville to the college punk bars of the 1980s to a nighmarish, drug-addled road trip to Atlanta. He creates a varied cast of characters (even the dog is great) that will stay with you long after you've finished the book. Strong characterization and sense of place, good pacing, strong narrative voice, compelling plot, "Swimming in Sky" is the complete package.

Anyone who has lost a loved one before their time is liable to feel violated when another trespasses upon their grief. What I think those close to "Sweet" need to remember, however, is that the character in the novel is a fictionalization of the real-life "Sweet," someone whom both the narrator and the author remember very fondly. The book is not about Sweet, it is about Jason Sayers, and in his own turbulent time, Sweet seemed to be more of a father figure to Jason than his own father.
When reading, we sometimes mistake a flawed character for one that is unsympathetic. It is important to remember that those flaws are what makes the characters real, the flaws are why we love them. Obviously, the reviewer's father was very important to Majors, and when Majors fictionalized this time in his life, he needed to include Sweet. To depict Sweet as two-dimensionally perfect would be an injustice to both the reader and the man. If, indeed, you want to view this book as being about Sweet (which it is not), it is a fond memorial, not a scathing expose. I only hope that passing time and a careful re-reading will help you recognize that.

Written by a transplanted Knoxville person (having been born in Japan), this is a personal collection of his own columns from an alternative weekly tabloid most people consider weird. If they were only true, the historical pieces would be worth passing on, but it is hard to know what is fact and fiction. Mr. Neely has a pretty good imagination.

If you live near Knoxville, TN and want to know the history, this is the best place to turn to. Neely knows fun and interesting facts about East Tennessee like no other. Even if you don't live in the area, there's still a lot of historical interest to keep you reading. The book also has a great layout, too!

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 very 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

I came to this novel after reading extensively in the film criticism of James Agee, who was easily one of the great reviewers the genre has seen. As one critic pointed out, in his criticism, Agee takes the reader into the film, and not to concerns extraneous to the film, like so many reviewers (such as Pauline Kael, who writes beautifully, but whose comments sometimes seem to have very little to do with the film in question).

After reading his film criticism, I have to confess that I was somewhat disappointed by this novel. It was good, but it did not stand out in any way. So, if all this volume had to offer was the novel itself, I would be able to recommend it, but without too much enthusiasm.

But thankfully, that is not the case. In addition to the text of the novel A DEATH IN THE FAMILY, the volume contains as a sort of preface one of the most extraordinary short pieces in 20th century American fiction, the amazing "Knoxville: Summer of 1915." This piece was not written as part of the novel, but the editors of the volume wisely included it because both dealt with Knoxville. Also, the piece is so amazing that I am certain that they also wanted to include it so that it would not so easily get lost.

I read A DEATH IN THE FAMILY once. I have probably read "Knoxville: Summer of 1915" a good dozen times. So, if the idea of purchasing a book for the sake of a mere five pages seems extravagant, ask yourself, how many books do we reread bits of even a couple of times?

The piece, which was turned into a marvelous composition for voice by Samuel Barber, records the impressions of a typical summer evening, with the narrator a young child. The descriptions are so precise and tactile, that the reader almost feels as if his or her own impressions are being recorded. And despite being merely the record of an average evening moving from late afternoon to dusk to evening, Agee is able to make of it something universal and sad and metaphysical. There are many, many fine moments in this piece, from the first paragraph {beginning "We are talking now of summer evenings in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the time that I lived there so successfully disguised to myself as a child") to the absolutely amazing final paragraph (ending: "Those receive me, who quietly treat me, as one familiar and well-beloved in that home: but will not, oh, will not, not now, not ever; but will not ever tell me who I am").

I am not sure how strongly I would recommend this volume if it were for the novel alone, but anyone who loves great writing needs to own this volume so as to own one of the great short pieces in American literature.

A Death in the Family is a timeless novel about the impact death causes within a family. The story is told through Rufus Follet, a six-year-old who loses his father in a car accident. This novel beautifully illustrates the numb reaction of family members to death.

Agee uses the technique of flashbacks to give the reader background on some of the characters. Agee died while perfecting A Death in the Family and had not yet inserted these sections, so the publishers placed them at the beginning of each part of the novel. Because these flashbacks are not inserted logically, they are somewhat confusing, but they are not worthless. Flashbacks develop Rufus' personality and his longing to be accepted. They illustrate his relationship with his father and why he reacts in the manner that he does to his father's death. These flashbacks also reveal what life was like before the accident and how that happiness died along with Jay. They also give a detailed description of a middle class neighborhood in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1915.

The story also illustrates the conflict between a man's wife and immediate family after his death. This conflict is portrayed through Jay's brother, Ralph. Ralph is an undertaker and wants to take care of Jay's body because he feels responsible for the death. It was his drunken phone call that caused Jay to drive out to see his family. Mary does not want Ralph to be the undertaker because Jay's body is already being taken care of and she does not want to move it. Ralph's feelings are hurt, but he can not do anything because a widow's wishes are more important than those of the family.

Agee takes a critical tone towards the Catholic religion and especially with its priests. My favorite scene is the episode where Mary can feel the presence of her husband in the room. It brings up the conflict between Mary's father and her brother Andrew, who do not believe in God, and Mary and her aunt Hannah, who are strong believers of Catholicism. Agee showed his view of priests through the children's reaction to Father Jackson, the priest that visits their mother. The children listen in on their mother's conversation with the priest and feel that he is trying to hurt and defeat her. The children also fear the priest, and Rufus feels that his father would have killed him if he were still alive.

One of the most poignant scenes in the novel occurs when Mary has to tell her children that their father is dead. Rufus understands almost right away that his father has died and he will never see him again. But his younger sister Catherine has a little more trouble. As their aunt is explaining the details of their father's death, Catherine asks the innocent question, "When's Daddy coming home?" My eyes welled up at reading this scene.

I liked this book because it portrays an event that people can relate to at some time or another in their own lives. Agee did a wonderful job at giving the story the numb feeling that members of a family often feel immediately after a death. The characters are well developed and I found it easy to relate to them. I would recommend this book to those who have recently suffered a loss.

James Agee's "A Death in the Family" is a moving novel about the struggles of a family trying to cope with the tragic loss of one of their own. The story, set in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a relatively easy read, despite the fact that some parts are unfinished. Rufus, the protagonist of the story, is shaken from his childhood innocence by the sudden death of his father. He does not fully comprehend what death is and how it will effect him, but by the end of the story he begins to understand.
Religion is a major theme in "A Death in the Family". It also causes many disputes within the family and eventually leads to Rufus' confusion abvout what death really is. Another major theme in the novel is the childhood viewpoint that the story is told from. This helps you to understand what Rufus feels and allows you to sympathize with him.
James Agee uses flashbacks in "A Death in the Family" to give the reader some background information about the family. This helps the reader understand what Jay, Rufus' father, was like. This also helps the reader feel the depth of Rufus' loss. Agee also uses symbolism in the end of the book to convey the thought that life goes on.
"A Death in the Family" is all in all a very moving novel. The lack of vulgarity and profaneness is a nice change from most books. I would recomend it to anyone.

This is a marvelous collection of historical gravesites in and around Knoxville, Tennessee.

Maybe it took some time to compile this collection of interesting places around the town and research the prominent ancestors of the town. It is not in much detail, which leaves one lacking, and wanting to know more. The pictures add to the facts(?) as presented.

Another excellent work by Jack Neely

I ordered this book because I grew up in Knoxville as a part of the Jewish community. However, I returned this book after a review of the context, due to its lack of substance. The author was extremely weak on reporting the events which are now a part of the history of this Jewish community. There were many people who were an important part of the past that were not even mentioned. It was very obvious that the writer relied on personal friendships to gather the "facts" for her novel. If you are looking for a book concerning the history of the Jewish population in Knoxville, TN, don't look here. For those looking for a book that mentions their name, this book is perfect for you. My opinion is that it was tragic that some tree had to be wasted for the paper needed to print this book. Purchase at your own risk!

This is a delightful history of the small, but growing and ever present Jewish community of Knoxville, including Oak Ridge. Ms. Besman's book is not only enjoyable for those of us who have been connected with this community over the years, and know many of the individuals she writes about, it is also for anyone interested in the history of this beautiful southern city. "A Separate Circle: Jewish Life in Knoxville, Tennessee" is an affirmation that where ever Jewish roots are sown, significant contributions are made to the community as a whole.

This book explains the Knoxville Jewish community and the experience of Southern Jews quite thoroughly and with great fluidity. Besmann has captured my hometown in words.

This is a poorly organized, incomplete book that is written very generally and leaves to the reader much of the research on laws specific to the jurisdiction. I would look for alternatives before following the advice in this book or you could be lead astray.

This book is straight-forward in its approach and helpful. When I called up the company, I spoke with the owner/author and his additional insight was useful! It's nice to do business with a customer-oriented company.

The "Quickstart" method gets rid of the confusion and outlines the exact steps needed to incorporate. It's pretty easy. I'd recommend this book.

I loved this book. It was the easiest to understand of all the books I found.

This book was good, but I think they could have left out the pictures of Colleens body. I liked the way it was written. It was like a real story, not just a bunch of facts. I cant believe Christa Pike could do something so terrible, and I have no sympathy for her. She obviously has no remorse for what she did, and I hope she is put to death. Having a bad childhood is no excuse for killing someone, espically in such a horrible way.

thats my opinion. I like the style of Miss Springer.
I was very shocked about the viscious muder by the 3 who committed it.
P Springer does know how to tell a story. I could not lay this book aside. Its always nice to read the murderers get their punishment so me too could not believe the "luck" Peterson had. She was the one who told Pike to go for the kill (not that Pike needed that)I have to say i like it better when you hear more of someone's background and the writer did have some parts about that. But i wanted to know more about what had happened the months Colleen and Pike spent together. Why did Pike think colleen was after her boyfriend? groetjes Marlene

This is a heartbreaking account of how teenage jealousy cost one beautiful innocent girl her life. Christa Pike and her boyfriend worshipped Satan and carved pentagrams on the dying Colleen Slemmer. I found this book strong and realistic (frighteningly so) I do warn you that there are pictures of Colleen's body and skull (made me queasy)

This book was well-written and I look forward to more by Ms. Springer. Pick it up, you won't regret it.