Book excerpt: By the mid-nineteenth century, the city of Nashville was a vibrant cultural center of the South. Through the Civil War reconstruction, two world wars, and into a modern era, Nashville has continued to grow and prosper by overcoming adversity and maintaining the strong independent culture of its citizens. This volume, Historic Photos of Nashville, captures this journey through still photography from the finest archives of the city, state and private collections. From the Civil War, Exposition and the great fire of 1916, Historic Photos of Nashville follows life, government, education, and disasters throughout Nashville's history. The book captures unique and rare scenes and events through the original lens of hundreds of historic photographs. Published in striking duo tone these images communicate historic events and everyday life of two centuries of people building a unique and prosperous city.