The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – January 2020: Tennessee
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1bhabeck
Each month, we will visit a different state in the United States of America for the Monthly Reading Challenge in the Mystery & Suspense Extra! Group. This month, as a supplement to our last group read of 2019, we travel to the state of Tennessee.
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – January 2020: Tennessee
History
Tennessee is a state in the southeastern region of the United States of America; its capital and largest city is Nashville. Tennessee is ranked 36th in area at 42,143 square miles (109,247km square) and is the 16th most populous state with approximately 6.8 million residents as of 2019.
The state’s name is based on a Cherokee word "Tanasi" although the meaning and origin of the word are uncertain. Some have suggested that it means "meeting place," "winding river," or "river of the great bend."
Tennessee was part of the Watauga Association, a 1772 frontier pact generally regarded as the first constitutional government west of the Appalachians. Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state on June 1, 1796. Tennessee was the last state to leave the union and join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Occupied by Union forces from 1862, it was the first state to be readmitted to the Union at the end of the war.
Tennessee furnished more soldiers for the Confederate Army than any other state besides Virginia, and more soldiers for the Union Army than the rest of the Confederacy combined. Beginning during Reconstruction, it had competitive party politics, but a Democratic takeover in the late 1880s resulted in passage of disenfranchisement laws that excluded most blacks and many poor whites from voting. This sharply reduced competition in politics in the state until after passage of civil rights legislation in the mid-20th century. In the 20th century, Tennessee transitioned from an agrarian economy to a more diversified economy, aided by massive federal investment in the Tennessee Valley Authority and, in the early 1940s, the city of Oak Ridge. This city was established to house the Manhattan Project’s uranium enrichment facilities, helping to build the world’s first atomic bombs, two of which were dropped on Imperial Japan near the end of World War II. After the war, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory became a key center for nuclear research. In 2016, the element tennessine was named for the state.
Tennessee's major industries include agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Poultry, soybeans and cattle are the state's primary agricultural products, and major manufacturing exports include chemicals, transportation equipment, and electrical equipment. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, is headquartered in the eastern part of the state. Other famous tourist attractions include the Country Music Hall of Fame, Dollywood, Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Geography
Tennessee is bordered by eight states – Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the west, and Missouri to the northwest. (Tennessee is tied with Missouri as the state bordering the most other states). The eastern portion of the state is dominated by the Appalachian Mountains; the Mississippi River forms the western border of the state.
The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet, is also the highest point on the Appalachia Trail as well as the third highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi River. The lowest point in the state at 178 feet is in the southwest corner along the Mississippi River where Tennessee and the state of Mississippi meet.
Tennessee features six principal physiographic regions: the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Cumberland Plateau, the Highland Rim, the Nashville Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Tennessee is home to the most caves in the United States, with over 10,000 documented caves to date.
Easternmost Tennessee is characterized by the Blue Ridge Mountains which have an average elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level. The Blue Ridge area was never more than sparsely populated and today much of it is protected by the Cherokee National Forest, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several federal wilderness areas and state parks. As you move west into the state, you enter an area known as the Great Valley where the state’s 3rd and 4th most populous cities (Knoxville and Chattanooga, respectively) are located. Middle Tennessee was a common destination for settlers crossing the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia. This area is one of the primary state population and transportation centers along with the heart of the state government. West Tennessee is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain and is characterized by lowlands, flood plains, swamps and steep bluffs overlooking the river. Portions of this area are called the Tennessee Bottoms (aka bottom land). Memphis is the economic center of West Tennessee.
Fun Facts
Tennessee is geographically, culturally, economically, and legally divided into three Grand Divisions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee. The state constitution allows no more than two justices of the five member Tennessee Supreme Court to be from one Grand Division and a similar rule applies to certain commissions and boards.
Fifty percent of the US population is within 600 miles (970 km) of Nashville, Tennessee.
Tennessee won its nickname as The Volunteer State during the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from Tennessee displayed marked valor during the Battle of New Orleans.
Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, is located in Memphis. It is the second most visited house in the country (the White House is first).
The Grand Ole Opry, located in Nashville, has broadcast every weekend since 1925 and is the longest running live radio program in the world.
The largest earthquake in American history, the New Madrid Earthquake, occurred in the winter of 1811-12 in Tennessee. Reelfoot Lake was formed during the quake. (Reelfoot Lake is known as the “turtle capital of the world”).
Cotton made Memphis a major port on the Mississippi Rivers. The Memphis Cotton Exchange still handles approximately one-third of the entire American cotton crop each year.
The world’s largest artificial skiing surface is located at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort in Gatlinburg. There, a 5-acre artificial ski surface permits skiing in any type of weather.
Tennesseeans are sometimes referred to as Butternuts, a tag which was first applied to Tennessee soldiers during the Civil War because of the tan color of their uniforms.
Notable Residents
Andrew Johnson held every elective office at the local, state, and federal level, including President of the United States. He was elected alderman, mayor, state representative, and state senator from Greeneville. He served as governor and military governor of Tennessee and United States congressman, senator, and vice president, becoming President of the United States following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was also the first President to be impeached.
Tennessee has had two other natives serve as President of the US – Andrew Jackson (served 1829-1837) and James K Polk (served 1845-1849). Additionally, Al Gore served as Vice President of the US from 1993-2001 and Hattie Caraway (1878-1950) became the first woman to be a United States Senator.
Famous Tennessee natives include: Dolly Parton, Samuel L Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, Davy Crockett, Morgan Freeman, Reese Witherspoon, Quentin Tarantino, Kathy Bates and Oprah Winfrey.
In honor of TENNESSEE, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
Happy Reading ❤
The Americana Series Monthly Challenge – January 2020: Tennessee
History
Tennessee is a state in the southeastern region of the United States of America; its capital and largest city is Nashville. Tennessee is ranked 36th in area at 42,143 square miles (109,247km square) and is the 16th most populous state with approximately 6.8 million residents as of 2019.
The state’s name is based on a Cherokee word "Tanasi" although the meaning and origin of the word are uncertain. Some have suggested that it means "meeting place," "winding river," or "river of the great bend."
Tennessee was part of the Watauga Association, a 1772 frontier pact generally regarded as the first constitutional government west of the Appalachians. Tennessee was admitted to the Union as the 16th state on June 1, 1796. Tennessee was the last state to leave the union and join the Confederacy at the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861. Occupied by Union forces from 1862, it was the first state to be readmitted to the Union at the end of the war.
Tennessee furnished more soldiers for the Confederate Army than any other state besides Virginia, and more soldiers for the Union Army than the rest of the Confederacy combined. Beginning during Reconstruction, it had competitive party politics, but a Democratic takeover in the late 1880s resulted in passage of disenfranchisement laws that excluded most blacks and many poor whites from voting. This sharply reduced competition in politics in the state until after passage of civil rights legislation in the mid-20th century. In the 20th century, Tennessee transitioned from an agrarian economy to a more diversified economy, aided by massive federal investment in the Tennessee Valley Authority and, in the early 1940s, the city of Oak Ridge. This city was established to house the Manhattan Project’s uranium enrichment facilities, helping to build the world’s first atomic bombs, two of which were dropped on Imperial Japan near the end of World War II. After the war, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory became a key center for nuclear research. In 2016, the element tennessine was named for the state.
Tennessee's major industries include agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism. Poultry, soybeans and cattle are the state's primary agricultural products, and major manufacturing exports include chemicals, transportation equipment, and electrical equipment. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited national park, is headquartered in the eastern part of the state. Other famous tourist attractions include the Country Music Hall of Fame, Dollywood, Graceland, the National Civil Rights Museum, Jack Daniel’s Distillery and Bristol Motor Speedway.
Geography
Tennessee is bordered by eight states – Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina to the east, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi to the south, Arkansas to the west, and Missouri to the northwest. (Tennessee is tied with Missouri as the state bordering the most other states). The eastern portion of the state is dominated by the Appalachian Mountains; the Mississippi River forms the western border of the state.
The highest point in Tennessee, Clingmans Dome at 6,643 feet, is also the highest point on the Appalachia Trail as well as the third highest peak in the US east of the Mississippi River. The lowest point in the state at 178 feet is in the southwest corner along the Mississippi River where Tennessee and the state of Mississippi meet.
Tennessee features six principal physiographic regions: the Blue Ridge, the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, the Cumberland Plateau, the Highland Rim, the Nashville Basin, and the Gulf Coastal Plain. Tennessee is home to the most caves in the United States, with over 10,000 documented caves to date.
Easternmost Tennessee is characterized by the Blue Ridge Mountains which have an average elevation of 5,000 feet above sea level. The Blue Ridge area was never more than sparsely populated and today much of it is protected by the Cherokee National Forest, The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and several federal wilderness areas and state parks. As you move west into the state, you enter an area known as the Great Valley where the state’s 3rd and 4th most populous cities (Knoxville and Chattanooga, respectively) are located. Middle Tennessee was a common destination for settlers crossing the Appalachian Mountains from Virginia. This area is one of the primary state population and transportation centers along with the heart of the state government. West Tennessee is part of the Gulf Coastal Plain and is characterized by lowlands, flood plains, swamps and steep bluffs overlooking the river. Portions of this area are called the Tennessee Bottoms (aka bottom land). Memphis is the economic center of West Tennessee.
Fun Facts
Tennessee is geographically, culturally, economically, and legally divided into three Grand Divisions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee and West Tennessee. The state constitution allows no more than two justices of the five member Tennessee Supreme Court to be from one Grand Division and a similar rule applies to certain commissions and boards.
Fifty percent of the US population is within 600 miles (970 km) of Nashville, Tennessee.
Tennessee won its nickname as The Volunteer State during the War of 1812 when volunteer soldiers from Tennessee displayed marked valor during the Battle of New Orleans.
Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, is located in Memphis. It is the second most visited house in the country (the White House is first).
The Grand Ole Opry, located in Nashville, has broadcast every weekend since 1925 and is the longest running live radio program in the world.
The largest earthquake in American history, the New Madrid Earthquake, occurred in the winter of 1811-12 in Tennessee. Reelfoot Lake was formed during the quake. (Reelfoot Lake is known as the “turtle capital of the world”).
Cotton made Memphis a major port on the Mississippi Rivers. The Memphis Cotton Exchange still handles approximately one-third of the entire American cotton crop each year.
The world’s largest artificial skiing surface is located at the Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort in Gatlinburg. There, a 5-acre artificial ski surface permits skiing in any type of weather.
Tennesseeans are sometimes referred to as Butternuts, a tag which was first applied to Tennessee soldiers during the Civil War because of the tan color of their uniforms.
Notable Residents
Andrew Johnson held every elective office at the local, state, and federal level, including President of the United States. He was elected alderman, mayor, state representative, and state senator from Greeneville. He served as governor and military governor of Tennessee and United States congressman, senator, and vice president, becoming President of the United States following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was also the first President to be impeached.
Tennessee has had two other natives serve as President of the US – Andrew Jackson (served 1829-1837) and James K Polk (served 1845-1849). Additionally, Al Gore served as Vice President of the US from 1993-2001 and Hattie Caraway (1878-1950) became the first woman to be a United States Senator.
Famous Tennessee natives include: Dolly Parton, Samuel L Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, Davy Crockett, Morgan Freeman, Reese Witherspoon, Quentin Tarantino, Kathy Bates and Oprah Winfrey.
In honor of TENNESSEE, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
Happy Reading ❤
2bhabeck
Brenda's January 2020 Americana Challenge - Tennessee
2/3 Complete
In honor of TENNESSEE, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
The Deep Blue Goodbye by John D. MacDonald; 1/21/20; 3.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland; 1/--/20; -- stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
Murder in Half Moon Bay by Nancy Jill Thames; 1/20/20; 2 stars
2/3 Complete
In honor of TENNESSEE, read a Mystery/Suspense book (any sub-genre will do!) that satisfies one or more of the following:
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
The Deep Blue Goodbye by John D. MacDonald; 1/21/20; 3.5 stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
The Woman in the Veil by Laura Joh Rowland; 1/--/20; -- stars
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
Murder in Half Moon Bay by Nancy Jill Thames; 1/20/20; 2 stars
4Andrew-theQM
Books set in Knoxville. Looks like Tbe Body Farm is in Knoxville so plenty of choices. I might give a Jefferson Bass book another try.
https://www.mappit.net/bookmap/places/1788/knoxville-tn-us/
https://www.mappit.net/bookmap/places/1788/knoxville-tn-us/
5Andrew-theQM
✔️ A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
Many Rivers to Cross by Peter Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 4/1/20 River in title.
✔️ A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, starring the chief politician (the President) and co-written by a Politican and President ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/1/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
I’m adding a fourth category for me:
* A Book set in Tennessee.
Many Rivers to Cross by Peter Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 4/1/20 River in title.
✔️ A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, starring the chief politician (the President) and co-written by a Politican and President ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/1/20
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
I’m adding a fourth category for me:
* A Book set in Tennessee.
6Andrew-theQM
My first book of 2020 covers the second bullet point, The President is Missing by James Patteson and Bill Clinton, 19% through it.
7Carol420
Carol Joins the Grand Ole' Opry (Maybe Elvis will make an appearance) :)
3/3
📌 - ★
📌1. A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover.
Thin Ice - Paige Shelton - 4★ (it's Alaska but mountains are mountains:)
📌2. A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s
The Seal King Murders - Alanna Knight - 4★ (1861)
📌3. A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
Good Girls Lie J.T. Ellison - 4.5★ (T. & E)
8Olivermagnus
Lynda and Oliver Go to Graceland
January 2020 Americana Challenge - Tennessee
0 of 3 Complete
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
9Andrew-theQM
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, starring the chief politician (the President) and co-written by a Politican and President ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/1/20
The President is Missing by James Patterson and Bill Clinton, starring the chief politician (the President) and co-written by a Politican and President ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/1/20
10Andrew-theQM
A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
Many Rivers to Cross by Peter Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 4/1/20 River in title.
Many Rivers to Cross by Peter Robinson ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 4/1/20 River in title.
11Sergeirocks
>10 Andrew-theQM: 'Many Rivers...' is next on my Robinson series list. Thanks for this reminder - I'll bump it up, 😀.
12Andrew-theQM
>11 Sergeirocks: Fits perfectly as my copy has a river on too.
13gaylebutz
I'm going to read Deep Blue by Randy Wayne White - has "Blue" in the title.
>3 Andrew-theQM: Thanks for posting the Nashville and Knoxville links. Sometimes I try to find a book that combines the state with one of the other options.
>3 Andrew-theQM: Thanks for posting the Nashville and Knoxville links. Sometimes I try to find a book that combines the state with one of the other options.
15Andrew-theQM
>14 Carol420: 6th Jan and already finished! 🙌👏🥳🍾🥂
16Carol420
>15 Andrew-theQM: Sometimes they just fall into place. The Book Gods smile on me:)
17Andrew-theQM
>16 Carol420: I’ve done two but still to find one which met both initials in Tennessee. Not a lot of letters to play With!
18Sergeirocks
>14 Carol420: You finished already, Carol? WOW! 😀👍
19Sergeirocks
1. 6 January - Many Rivers to Cross - Peter Robinson 4★s ("River" in the title)
2. 13 January - Backlash - Sally Spencer 3.5★s (Authors initials found in TENNESSEE)
3. 14 January - Murder on the Brighton Express - Edward Marston 4★s (Set in 1854, and involves a politician)
2. 13 January - Backlash - Sally Spencer 3.5★s (Authors initials found in TENNESSEE)
3. 14 January - Murder on the Brighton Express - Edward Marston 4★s (Set in 1854, and involves a politician)
20bhabeck
>14 Carol420: too bad! You could have wished him a Happy Birthday!
21bhabeck
>14 Carol420: Wow! WTG!
22bhabeck
>17 Andrew-theQM: I know. I thought about that and then did a "survey" here at work. Results were that they thought we should be able to do both initials if there are 4+ distinct letters. I don't think that I'll be doing anymore surveys of my co-workers...lol
23gaylebutz
Blue in the title
Deep Blue by Randy Wayne White
3.5 ★
On a moonless night on Sanibel Island, Florida, marine biologist Marion "Doc" Ford carefully watches a video of a hooded man executing three hostages. The man is an American working with ISIS, and in the next few days, it'll be Ford's job, as part of his shadowy second life, to make sure he never kills anybody else again. But a lot can go wrong in a few days, and Ford has no way of knowing that not only will the operation prove to be a lot more complicated than he has anticipated, but that he'll end up bringing those complications back with him to the small community of boaters, guides, lovers, and friends in Dinkin's Bay, where he's long made his home.
Doc Ford is a marine biologist when he’s at home in Florida. When he’s on assignment from the government, he assassinates the bad guys. There were surprises and excitement as he strategized and carried out his assignment. His home on Sanibel Island had a laid back atmosphere with quirky and somewhat odd but likeable characters. It contrasted nicely with the tension of the job he was doing. Although a bit over the top, a fun read.
Deep Blue by Randy Wayne White
3.5 ★
On a moonless night on Sanibel Island, Florida, marine biologist Marion "Doc" Ford carefully watches a video of a hooded man executing three hostages. The man is an American working with ISIS, and in the next few days, it'll be Ford's job, as part of his shadowy second life, to make sure he never kills anybody else again. But a lot can go wrong in a few days, and Ford has no way of knowing that not only will the operation prove to be a lot more complicated than he has anticipated, but that he'll end up bringing those complications back with him to the small community of boaters, guides, lovers, and friends in Dinkin's Bay, where he's long made his home.
Doc Ford is a marine biologist when he’s at home in Florida. When he’s on assignment from the government, he assassinates the bad guys. There were surprises and excitement as he strategized and carried out his assignment. His home on Sanibel Island had a laid back atmosphere with quirky and somewhat odd but likeable characters. It contrasted nicely with the tension of the job he was doing. Although a bit over the top, a fun read.
24jguidry
Jaret's Trip to Tennessee
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
• A Mystery/Suspense book with "Bomb," "River," "Blue," "Music," or "Mountain" in the title or a mountainous landscape or river on the cover;
• A Mystery/Suspense book in which a character is a politician or the story takes place during the 1800s;
• A Mystery/Suspense book where the author's initials (BOTH the first AND last) can be found in TENNESSEE.
25rhinemaiden
blue in the title -- The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
politician -- All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
author's initials -- On the Beach by Nevil Shute
politician -- All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward
author's initials -- On the Beach by Nevil Shute
27rhinemaiden
>26 Carol420: aw-w-w-w Carol, you're too much! (thanks!)
28Carol420
>27 rhinemaiden: You are very welcome. Well done work and those that put forth the effort to try, should always be recognized.
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