Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1845.

In September 2000 Bill Carey released his first book Fortunes, Fiddles, and Fried Chicken: A Business History of Nashville. It quickly became a local bestseller, reminding people of the fascinating stories behind the companies and industries that put Nashville on the map -- such as Genesco, the National Life and Accident Insurance Co., Kentucky Fried Chicken, and the country music industry. The Tennessee Library Association and Tennessee Historical Commission named the book History Book of the Year. "I was amazed with how much Bill Carey uncovered that even I didn't know," former Tennessee governor Ned McWherter said upon reading it. Now Carey has turned his attention to the most revered institution in Nashville, Vanderbilt University. And, much like with his first book, the author proves there are fascinating stories behind everything -- anecdotes about chancellors and students, buildings and campus plans, schemes that succeeded, and ideas that failed. Most of these tales are long forgotten.