1 comments about The Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains: An Explorer's Guide (Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains : An Explorer's Guide).

1. Well organized reference. Detailed and accurate information. Includes "tourist traps" to avoid.

1 comments about Spectacular Homes of Tennessee.

1. This appears to be one of those books where interior designers buy from one to four pages to showcase their own work. It is not a bad promotional idea, but as there are few if any critical editorial retrictions, the resulting book is uneven at best. For example, one new house in Nashville features a dining room of classic proportions (the architect is uncredited) with what appears to be pairs of arched French doors of mirrored antique glass that slide into pockets -- very interesting but no explanation despite a volume of "blah, blah, blah" text. The same room has a beautiful huge table surrounded by large scale leather-covered chairs, all with arms; again, that is interesting, but there is no comment on that, apparently they were already in the owners' collection. A pair of chandeliers dominate the photo, leading one to suspect that they are the interior designer's main contribution -- a double commission at that. The styling of the photo is disorienting because the table is empty except for a row of oddly chosen candlesticks and a series of glass containers without their intended flowers. This is just one example from the book, and certainly some projects are much better, but some are even worse. If you are looking for a collection of truly spectacular homes in the state, keep looking. If you are looking for an interior designer in the state, this might serve as preliminary guide, including "who Not to hire".

2 comments about The French Broad (Rivers of America).

1. Wilma Dykeman spent six months in the early 1950's, driving with her husband through the mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee to research this book. She spoke with local farmers and loggers, visited libraries and newspaper offices, and read numerous accounts of the history of the French Broad River bioregion. The result is a very solid history of the region, spiced with plenty of local color. Although her prose is at times dry, and although her attempts to include quotations and jokes from local people sometimes come off as awkward, her fidelity to the people who are the subjects of her book is unwavering, and she makes numerous insights about the region's history and future which remain true today. The chapter, "Who Killed the French Broad?" is particularly prophetic; no doubt Ms. Dykeman must be happy in her Newport, Tennessee, home to see that the river runs cleaner than it did back in 1955, when the book was first published. A classy book by a classy woman.



2. Received my book "The French Broad", and I am really pleased with the book. If I find a book that has a hand written message to someone, I am delighted. Really pleased with the book, and the arrival was FAST. Be back to see you...

No comments about Kids Love Tennessee: A Family Travel Guide to Exploring "Kid-Tested" Places in Tennessee...Year Round! (Kids Love).

No comments about Day Trips from Memphis: Getaways Approximately Two Hours Away.

No comments about Paths to Victory: A History and Tour Guide of the Stone's River, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville Campaigns (Miles, Jim. Civil War Campaigns Series.).

No comments about Rand McNally Memphis Tennessee: Local Street Detail.

No comments about Rand Mcnally Nashville, Tennessee.

No comments about Fun with the Family in Tennessee, 3rd: Hundreds of Ideas for Day Trips with the Kids.

No comments about Rand McNally Chattanooga, Tennessee (Rand McNally Folded Map: Cities).