The Tennessee: The Old River: Frontier to Secession

The Tennessee #1

by Donald Davidson, Thomas Daniel Young (Illustrator), David Davidson (Illustrator)

From the landing of Federal troops at the Tennessee-Ohio confluence to the new river of the TVA, whose dams "stand athwart the valley in Egyptian impassivity," this volume completes the story of the transformation of a river and of the culture it nourished. Southern Classics Series.

342 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1946

About the author

Not to be confused with Philosopher Donald Davidson or Donald Davidson

Reviews

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really enjoyable, informative history of the Tennessee river and its surrounding regions. I came primarily for the chapters on Dragging Canoe and the Cherokees (in preparation for reading Green Centuries), but was taken in by the other sections too.

Part One covers up to Secession--mainly focusing on the Indians and first uses of the Tennessee river, including the early uses of the Natchez Trace. Part Two then takes it into modern times--mainly focusing on the Civil War and the TVA.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting Old history of the Tennessee valley, covering white settlement, and extensive conflict with Native Americans

[Heather Prichard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book up for very personal reasons. Paducah, KY is my hometown. I learned to fish in Kentucky Lake. My grandfather worked iron in the building of the dam. This year I began a genealogy odyssey on another side of my family that took me to Tishimingo Mississippi. An ill fated flatboat escape from Civil War torn Mississippi, my great x5 grandmother is buried somewhere on the banks of that majestic river between East Port and Paducah. This book was like a key in a lock to an attic room full of my past.

Davidson was a wonderful storyteller. His writing is engaging as well as lyrical and lovingly detailed with fascinating characters. I'm so glad he chronicled the old river, before TVA harnessed it. As a researcher, I've found no other source of the river's history.

I can hardly wait to get my hands on volume 2 and learn more about the TVA.

On a side note, this book solidified for me that the Cohen Brothers's Oh Brother Where Art Thou flood scene has some truth to it. I wonder if they read this book.

[Bob Bingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in the history of the Tennessee Valley, this is a great starting point. Looking forward to Volume II. As is usual with Davidson, he provides a refreshing antidote to politically correct history.

[Wendell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great history lesson of this great river. Very entertaining.