Tennesseans and Their History

by Paul H. Bergeron, Jeannette Keith (Contributor), Stephen V. Ash (Contributor)

The history of Tennessee is full of dramatic episodes and colorful characters that give the Volunteer State a major place in the American saga. From the bloody battle of Shiloh in 1862 to the Dayton "monkey trial" of 1925 to the assassination of Martin Luther King in Memphis in 1968, Tennessee has been the locale for many of America's most important events.

This new book presents a synthesis of Tennessee history from earliest times to the present. Striking a balance of social, economic, and political perspectives, it moves from frontier times to early statehood, antebellum society through the Civil War to Reconstruction, then establishes Tennessee's place in the New South and in modern times. Full coverage is devoted to the Civil Rights era and to events in the later years of this century, including environmental issues. The text deals honestly with slavery and segregation and also corrects shortcomings of previous works by placing the state's history in the context of national issues and events within the South.

The authors introduce readers to famous personages like Andrew Jackson and Austin Peay, often using quotations to give them voice. They also tell stories of ordinary people and their lives to show how they are an integral part of history. Sidebars throughout the text highlight stories of particular interest, and reading lists at the end of chapters further enhance the text's utility.

Tennesseans and Their History was written for students needing a basic introduction to state history and to general readers looking for a lively introduction to Tennessee's past. Written to be entertaining as well as instructive, it makes the state's
history relevant to a new generation of Tennesseans.
The Authors: Paul H. Bergerson is professor of history at the University of Tennessee and the editor of The Papers of Andrew Johnson.
Stephen V. Ash is associate professor of history at the University of Tennessee and author of Middle Tennessee Transformed, 1860-1870: War and Peace in the Upper South.
Jeanette Keith is associate professor of history at Bloomsburg University and the author of Country People in the New South: Tennessee's Upper Cumberland.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

496 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 1999

About the author

A specialist in 19th-century U.S. history, Paul Bergeron is professor emeritus of history at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, he has regional specialties in both Southern history and Tennessee history.

Reviews

[ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, read this for my tennessee history class which i finished a month ago but i was determined to finish this damn book.. honestly, as a non-history reader this was pretty interesting. i have to say it was the most tolerable history textbook i've ever read and the only one i've ever actually finished so.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a recent transplant to Tennessee I found this book well worth the read.

My Rating System:
* not worth finishing, ** would not recommend, *** would recommend, **** would highly recommend, ***** have/would read again.

[Emma Hailey · Rating 1 out of 5]

It’s a crime that I was forced to read this entire textbook

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book, though I thought it could have been more sympathetic to native Americans and their issues in Tennessee - not particularly helpful there. Good mid-level overview of the state's history.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

ok.

I am a big fan of history books that are in CHRONOLOGICAL order. The chapters themselves basically are, but not the details - especially elections and things of a political nature. I really like Tennessee so I enjoyed what I read of it, but couldn't go from cover to cover.

[Korry Thorpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The history of Tennessee was a mixed bag. Their treatment of the native Americans at the beginning of their history was abysmal but then their treatment of African Americans after the Civil War and during the Civil Rights years was better than most southern states. All in all an interesting read.

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this for a college class at MTSU and I found it easy to follow and learn. It isn't so bogged down with fact that you can grasp whats going on.
I would recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the Volunteer State, its a light read although long, but it isn't dense.
Dowie

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written history book. Books like this make history an interesting subject not just boring facts. Nice chapter layout and organization. Very recommended

[Cornelia]

in the 1880s, some should be ashamed; others were brave beyond belief.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to read it as part of my history requirements for the university. It is well written and not boring like most history texts.