NASHVILLE : CITY OF NOTE (URBAN TAPESTRY SER.)

"Here, on Middle Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, a tale of two cities unfolds: one, an enduringly popular tourist destination; the other, a vibrant, progressive, modern megalopolis with an inspiring heritage. Assuredly, it's a tale worth telling."

In Nashville: City of Note, nationally recognized journalist John M. Seigenthaler introduces the two distinct personalities of his hometown. At once, this forward-thinking Tennessee capital is both "Music City," producing such country legends as Loretta Lynn and Johnny Cash, and the "Athens of the South," a leader in politics, education, culture, and health care.

As he explores these identities, Seigenthaler delves into the city's spectacular cultural and social heritage. He takes us to Andrew Jackson's Hermitage and the Belle Meade Plantation, which recall the aristocratic Old South. To the historic Ryman Auditorium, which tells the tale of hillbilly melodies being developed into a multibillion-dollar industry. And to the enduring 1897 replica of the Parthenon in Centennial Park, which speaks to Nashville's glorious past and offers a glimpse into its prosperous future.

Complemented by an extraordinary collection of images compiled with the help of Curtis Allen, this tale of two cities--a "high-decibel wonderland of country music" and a booming regional center of commerce--is indeed a remarkable one. A story that beckons you to fully understand the nuances of this complex community.

As Seigenthaler writes, "There is a gentle pull and tug between . . . country and urban, between insider Nashville and tourist Nashville." And as this city of note takes its place as one of the most progressive communities in the nation, its two distinct voices will continue to join in harmony and resonate.