Another Mess

The Front Cover.

The Back Cover.

Vanderbilt with a fence around the campus to keep out the livestock.

Photo of the Author, Jan Duke

Not connected with the book , just how I arranged the flowers in the vase my friend Linda gave to me. I have them sitting not in the front hall but between the library and living room.

On January 16Th, I receive an email from Liz Chenery, Marketing Associate with Turner Publishing asking if I would consider reviewing a new book.

First of all, I do not have much time to read anymore due to all my obligations but she hooked me with one word, Historic and the next word, Photos sealed my decision. Liz advised I would get the copy of a 10x10 book to review.

Now I will disclaim from the beginning that I do not know Liz nor did I know the author, Jan Duke. I always like history but when I was a junior in high school many moons ago, my teacher, Mr. Morris (known affectionly as Moose) gave me a true love of history.

When I took the book out of its package, my first thought was this is a rather thick book but handsomely covered. I took the book downstairs to read in solitude and when I opened it up and began to read, I did not put it down until I had read from cover to cover. I was even rushed to make dinner that evening but was all excited as I wanted my MIL, Mimi to read it and look at the photos.

The "Historic Photos of Nashville" had so many photos that I had never seen before and it took you from pre-civil war era to modern times. The last ariel photo of was taken in 1968. That was when I graduated from high school and came to the big city.

Mimi said she recalled several of the places that the photos were taken and her first response was that the photo of Kirkland Hall reminded her of taking the exam to attend Vanderbilt. In her day, it only took less than $300.00 to attend. Mimi continued with a story about a certain lady who would not let the female students were socks. They had to wear hose. Later this was changed and the girls were allowed to wear socks.

I told Mimi I liked the photo of Vanderbilt with the fence around it to keep livestock from going on the campus. She then told me the story of Uncle Albert and Cuden Will running away from school and got as far as the fence. One of them had matches in his pockets and when they got near the rock columns ( still standing today)one of them brushed against the columns and the matches struck . At this point they decided that running away was not a good idea and they turned around and went back.

There are photos of the University of Nashville. Phillip Lindsley, is in our Mayflower Lineage in the 9TH generation, he turned down several offers to come to Nashville to become the President of the University of Nashville. Mimi is in the 13TH generation. Phillip was the father of John Berrien Lindsley and Adrian Van Sindern Lindsley. Mimi comes from the Adrian Van Sindern line. The reason for this family background information is to point out that John's middle name was spelled incorrectly in the book. Instead of Barrien it is Berrien. If by chance you start looking up John's historical data, you will find he was President Andrew Jackson's physician when Jackson was shot plus John B. was a very talented man who accomplishments benefit today's Nashville.

If there are any other errors in the book, I cannot find them and that mere spelling should not hold anyone back from purchasing the book. The photos and captions give you a feeling of time travel into the past. The historical readings that I enjoy will become more alive with the photos that are in the book. I think this book would be a gran visual aide in teaching the history of Nashville and should become required reading of anyone who wants to graduate from high school. Students or just everyday people who are reading about historical Nashville would benefit enormously from this visual aide. Thus, making these statements you know I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

The Kitty Justice is that "Historic Photos of Nashville" should be read by those who like history but especially by those who do not like history.