The History of Belle Meade: Mansion, Plantation, and Stud

by Ridley W. Wills, Ridley W. Wills II, Ridley Wills II

Book Overview

Winner of the Tennessee History Book Award.

During the latter half of the nineteenth century, Belle Meade became probably the most important nursery for Thoroughbred race horses in America. Since that time, virtually every Kentucky Derby winner can trace its lineage back to Belle Meade. Belle Meade also holds a place in American history as a stage for the comings and goings of great people and events. Weaving together family and regional...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0826512453
• ISBN13: 9780826512451
• Release Date: October 1991
• Publisher: Vanderbilt University Press
• Length: 383 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Masterful history

Wills' History of Belle Meade does much to incorporate the history of Nashville as well as Southern history as he follows the fortunes and misfortunes of the Hardings and Jacksons. His vivid descriptions of the families who lived at Belle Meade help the reader understand how these families experienced the events of the nineteenth century. Some of the chapters on horses were not that interesting to me personally, but they did not take away from my enjoyment of the book.