The Hidden History of East Tennessee

Hidden History

by Joe D. Guy

Critically acclaimed author Joe Guy serves up a stout batch of East Tennessee history in this latest collection of articles from his popular newspaper column.
From Chattanooga up to Knoxville, and every town and holler in between, Guy recounts the absorbing and oft-forgotten history of this great region with stories of revenuers, Overmountain Men, Confederate cavalry girls, and the lost tribe of the Hiwassee, just to name a few. Discover how easy it is to get lost in The Hidden History of East Tennessee.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical

128 pages, Paperback

First published August 13, 2008

Reviews

[Donna Covell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the short stories.

[David Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Hidden History of East Tennessee by Joe Guy (The History Press 2008) (976.8) (4016).

This is a low-key series of fascinating East Tennessee stories and historic vignettes. Most of the tales relate to the southeast corner of the state (Monroe and Polk Counties) from which author Joe Guy’s family hails.

I loved the author’s honesty (or puffery - you decide) when he stated in the book’s introduction as follows: “[I]f you like history and you like stories, then this book is for you.”

I was very surprised to learn that one notorious personage featured in this book was an East Tennessee native who achieved infamy in Texas (besides Davy Crockett). Isaac Cline, an East Tennessee native from Bat Creek in Madison County, became famous as the chief meteorologist at the Galveston, Texas office of the U.S. Weather Bureau (now known as the National Weather Service) when he failed to predict the devastating 1900 Galveston Hurricane, which killed 6000-12000 including Cline’s pregnant wife Cora.

Joe Guy delivers exactly what he promised in this book’s introduction.

I own a PB copy in like-new condition.

My rating: 7/10, finished 1/13/25 (4016).

PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Paul Lunger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Guy's "The Hidden History of East Tennessee" takes a look at the checkered history in this part of the Volunteer State, but also doesn't get hung up on the darker parts of things which these books tend to do. Each story that Guy retells adds to the charm & intrigue of this area as well as describing parts of the obscure as well. The book is an easy read and is a nice supplement to anyone familiar with that part of Tennessee.

[Barbara Byron]

Really enjoyable, easy to read. Joe Guy writes There is lots of little tidbits of knowledge that reaches far beyond Tennessee - Politics, Railroads, Native Americans and "A hidden History of Christmas" that is really interesting. He shares a lot about policing as well. I'm hoping to read more of his works.

[Mara Schuessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot from this book and found it very interesting. It mainly focuses upon McMinn County.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting tidbits of East Tennessee history. Many of the stories I had not heard before. I would recommend for any that grew up there.

[Mikhail Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have enjoyed some more thorough details but those are likely to not be available.