Every Day in Tennessee History [Paperback]

James B. Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

James Jones is a public historian for the Tennessee Historical Commission and State Historic Preservation Office. He began collecting little known and unknown historic narratives "one entry at a time" at the library during his lunch hours. As his database grew, so did his appetite for the curious and colorful events that comprise Tennessee's past. Before he knew it, a full-length book emerged and the rest of us can benefit from over four years of his "lunch time" research. Maintaining the calendar form, Every Day In Tennessee History features multiple entries on each day in the calendar year, generously illustrated with archival photographs. While many of the entries deal with famous personalities and events, the majority found their way into the collection because they were not famous or well-known, including Ida B. Wells' account of her first baseball game, the nuptials of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, the completion of a hydroelectric dam, the closing of a red-light district, and hundreds more diverse and fascinating historical "tidbits". -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: John F. Blair Publisher (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0895871440
• ISBN-13: 978-0895871442
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,820,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every day people have a voice in Tennessee, June 8, 2002

By 

Jynthia Cones (McMinneville, TN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Every Day in Tennessee History (Paperback)

I am a laborer. Never went to college. This books was a birthday gift and I tell you, it packs a powerful punch. This is a great easy reading book. I learned a lot, too. It showed me that Tennesseans are, indeed, a rare and worthy people. Before I had felt that the "average Joe" was not worthy of scholarly research or comment. Dr. Jones' book made me realize that ordinary folk are the backbone of this country. He takes a risk by not following customary wisdom of writing about famous White men and their battles. I am sure he received criticism for this.
However, while I never went to college and worked hard allmy life, this book did not talk down to me. It made me feel that my contribution to my state was worth my long days of constructions work that I do. THIS IS A GREAT FATHERS DAY GIFT.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment ? No, just good public history!, October 28, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Every Day in Tennessee History (Paperback)

Dr. Jones has made a positive contribution to Tennessee History with many tidbits of information. Some humorous, some thought-provoking, some serious, and some unusual. The "tell only the positive stuff" history has many books to its genre. Some people protest Dr. Jones'writing about common people, as if common, everyday folk had no part in our history.

This book is not one like that. This is light-but-realistic writing, carefully researched, and interesting to read. Give it as a gift...well, I gave one to Vice President Gore who subsequently gave it a rave review. Negtive? No, only in that it does not glorify the rich and famous. This tells it like it was. It leaves the well-known out, pretty much.

Did Dr. Jones make an error with the KKK and ONE date? Gee, give the guy a break, for pete's sake. This is original work and I thoroughly enjoyed his approach and style. I've given it as gifts many times and will continue to do so.

I understand it also is a standard textbook in many history classes at Middle Tennessee State University. How bad can it be?

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, August 18, 2004

By 

Rhonda A. Murray (Jackson, Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Every Day in Tennessee History (Paperback)

This book was a gift and an unexpected plaesure. I read a little bit each day, as it is set up like a calendar. It was so much fun to read about my state each day and to have something unusual, fun or sad to share with colleagues. the reading is easy but the content makes you think. I bought a copy and donated to my son's elementary school...but they already HAD one. Great book.