Confederate History Bookstores

Parker's Crossroads Hosts "Looking Back" Civil War Exhibit

Parker's Crossroads Hosts "Looking Back" Civil War Exhibit
posted July 19, 2011

Travelers along Interstate 40 can do more than stretch their legs while stopping between Nashville and Memphis: They can also expand their knowledge of Civil War history.

The Tennessee State Library and Archives� exhibit titled �Looking Back: The Civil War in Tennessee� is now on display in Parker�s Crossroads, a historical community along I-40 halfway between the state�s two largest cities.

For months, TSLA staff members have been traveling around the state, digitally scanning copies of Civil War era documents and photographing artifacts owned by Tennesseans. The exhibit features a sampling of those documents and photographs.

Some of the featured items belong to residents of Henderson County, where Parker�s Crossroads is located.

Bringing the �Looking Back� exhibit to Parker�s Crossroads was the inspiration of Steve McDaniel, who in addition to serving as deputy speaker for the state House of Representatives is also a history enthusiast.

�Having this exhibit in Henderson County is a great way to show West Tennesseans how their artifacts were used,� said Rep. McDaniel, whose legislative district includes the area. �Hopefully, more people outside of Nashville will be able to see the exhibit and learn about the Civil War.�

Parker�s Crossroads was the site of a Civil War battle when Confederate forces led by Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest met Union forces led by Gen. Jeremiah C. Sullivan Dec. 31, 1862. Visitors can take self-guided tours of the battlefield site, which now has a bookstore and a new visitors� center where the exhibit is located.

TSLA is a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

�The �Looking Back� exhibit has been a great success at TSLA and I thank Rep. McDaniel for making arrangements to have the exhibit temporarily displayed in his legislative district,� said Secretary of State Tre Hargett. �This is a great way to provide people who can't make it to Nashville with more information about the Civil War. I hope other legislators will want to bring the exhibit to their districts as well.�

The visitors� center is at 20945 Highway 22 North in Parker�s Crossroads, at exit 108 on I-40. The center is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., seven days a week. The exhibit will remain there through Sept. 30.

Friday, July 22, 2011 - Blog - Bookreporter.com

. As many times I am not purchasing the book at an event, as I already have read a publisher or author-supplied advance reading copy, I realize that I am just like the customer they are referencing who is using a store for entertainment, but not supporting them with a purchase. Sure, I am a member of the media, but I also am a reader, and I have to say that plunking down a fee to hear an author I love would be something I would not dismiss. As much as I love going to hear authors speak at local appearances, I'm afraid I would not be interested in paying a fee for the privilege. I have often already purchased and read the book, usually a coincidence because I don't know the schedule for author events. In fact, I'm more likely to attend an author event if I HAVE read the author's book. It is usually the reading of the book that makes me curious to hear an author's speaking voice, wonder where he/she comes from, and it creates a curiosity to learn more about the inspiration and the story behind the story.

My two local indie stores have charged for a couple of years now. Not EVERY event, though. It's a way to get a handle on how many people to expect. Sometimes they charge a nominal $5 and that includes refreshments (wine or coffee, and dessert). Sometimes they charge $30 and that INCLUDES the price of the hard cover. Mostly they do this for very popular authors who usually draw large crowds. As an added bonus, each ticket (whether $5 or $30) is numbered, and your number gives you your place in line for the book signing.

It's a good thing, I think.

An author gets paid by the publisher to travel, which saves the independent bookstore that fee, and the store charges a minimal fee with hopes of sales. There are no guarantees the attendees will purchase a book and the store has ordered numerous copies, paid for staff and probably provided a beverage and appetizer. It's a gamble, though. I would purchase a book in support of the bookstore for actually hosting such an event, as I have in the past. I am, however, guilty of not always supporting my local bookstore. I purchase books from Amazon and Barnes & Noble and give out their gift cards to my friends with Kindles or Nooks. I personally read books in all forms. I use my Kindle, iPad, local library and I purchase hard copies. An actual book is always dependable, though eReaders have their conveniences. If I travel I take a Kindle and sometimes prefer the iPad inside the house (no glare) as I have more print on the page with good lighting. I will purchase a hardcover of the author I love and/or am anxious to read. If I am uncertain about a book, I prefer a trade paperback for the ease of handling. For me they all have their value, but I would support a real book over any of the other devices hands down. As indie shops are suffering from the 'big' box stores, in my opinion they will be shooting themselves in the foot if they charge. Sure, some people come to hear the author speak and not buy the book at that time. They might already have the book or might want to listen to see if they want to purchase. Nevertheless, they are potential customers and I for one, wouldn't want to alienate them by charging a fee to listen. I have very mixed feelings about the trend to charge customers for bookstore events. As a representative of Barnes & Noble, I can confirm that we have never charged any fee for an in-store event and I hope that we never need to do so. But I can completely understand the frustration these independent bookstores are feeling. People are indeed using bookstores as a library --- and the key word here is "used." Every day our retail stores are used for research and meeting space. Customers feel free to monopolize our booksellers' attention asking for recommendations, etc, and then tell us they're going to order the book from Amazon.  It's funny, because just this weekend I found a bag on my desk containing two titles by an author we were hosting that night. Now don't get me wrong, we routinely get calls from customers who can't make it to an event and ask if we can put aside a signed copy. But these were copies of the books that the customer had already owned and he was asking me to have them inscribed for him!  I can understand a small charge, but --- the big but --- the author gets so much more than the immediate sale of a book. Great PR, future sales. The author is also giving back to all the readers that have bought their books in the past. The bookshop also gains future sales, community goodwill, and a write up in the local paper (free advertising).