Hidden History of Nashville

Hidden History

by George R. Zepp

Perched on the banks of the Cumberland River, Nashville is best known for its role in the civil rights movement, world-class education and, of course, country music. In this unique collection of columns, longtime journalist and Tennessee native George Zepp illuminates a less familiar side of the city. Learn the secrets of Timothy Demonbreun, one of the city's first residents, who lived with his family in a cliff-top cave; Cortelia Clark, the blind bluesman who continued to perform on street corners after winning a Grammy award; and Nashville's own Cinderella story, which involved legendary radio personality Edgar Bergen and his ventriloquist protegee. Cleverly rendered, using questions from readers across the nation, these little-known tales abound with Music City mystery and charm.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

160 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically a collection of interesting (in most cases) tidbits of Nashville history. I imagine this will be far more appealing to people who have at least a passing familiarity with the city.

[Barbara Heerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are newspaper columns about various buildings and events in Nashville history, giving one an idea of some of the peculiarities of the past. They were based on questions from readers, and it was helpful to learn more about Nashville's past. Obviously it doesn't have the nostalgia element for me that a similar series of columns about Chicago area communities would have. I liked the fact that I could read a couple columns and walk away without losing the flow of the narrative. At some point, I need to read a more serious history of Nashville. I was also glad to find that there was at least one column acknowledging the role of slavery in Nashville's past. I wish that there had been more.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Understand what this book is - it's a compilation of newspaper columns addressing questions about Nashville's history. It clocks in at a little more than 150 pages. This is not a comprehensive history of Nashville, but it is a series of small bites of Nashville history that help to provide some insight.
The columns are nice, bite-sized chunks and arranged by themes (e.g. transportation).
For someone who just moved to Nashville, this gave me some places to start as I get to know a new city. Many of the columns also helped prompt a curiosity into parts of Nashville beyond what was in the columns.
Understand its limits, but this is a nice book with some insights into Nashville.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Zepp's "Hidden History of Nashville" takes on a slightly different tone for things in this series as it focuses on more the darker aspects of this city as well the haunted side as well. Each of the 9 sections that this first published in 2009 book do a good job focusing on what is trying to be told but also through in at least 5 sub-stories from within. Yes, we the reader will get a good taste of the darker side of the history of Nashville, but this book is not my favorite of these.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, enjoyable reading about the history of Nashville

Zepp's book provided a number of interesting stories, some I knew and many I did not. I would highly encourage both new and long time residents to pick this up and learn more about the history of our city.

[Jim Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. A must read for native Nashvillians.

[Peggy · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you don't live in Nashville I see no reason to read this.

[Shanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book of Nashville history!

I loved every bit of this book! It was so interesting and engaging! I also had no clue I’d see my great-grandfather in it! Loved it

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of Nashville book! Worth a read if you're a Nashville native or have lived here long enough to have ventured outside the usual tourist spots since this is definitely a deep dive.

[Danielle (reading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nashville history

Great to read about a lot of Nashville history that I didn't knew about.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My step-grandmother lent me this book. Such great information. If you can't have the Nashville room at the library at your disposal this is the next best thing!