Kingsport, Tennessee: A Planned American City

Though written in 1987 - this book is probably the best book covering nearly all aspects of the forming of Kingsport, history, as well as the industrial influence and background. I would love for Dr. Wolfe to revisit this book and update some of the information - as Kingsport has grown, but the Industies are suffering. I would like to know what her opinion is also, of the outsourcing of jobs to other countries and major plants shutting down in the city, leaving hundreds of workers scrambling to garner ne employment. But what employment is available is always less paying and with less benefits, and less hope of a decent retirement. It's a shame. Rambling aside, I recommend Dr. Wolfe's book because she doesn't sugar coat the facts like some of the other books about the city have done. Understanding Apples Gathering Leaves: Understanding Apples Book Two

Kingsport's population peak during WWII has never returned again, despite a half century of growth by annexation. Professor Wolfe has done a very fine job of archival research and interviews to enlighten the reader. Though her survey is more critical, obviously, than a publication each decade of the 90's by the local Rotary Club, Wolfe ads the human element and anecdotal illustrations to complement the Rotary's advertising bent. City builder J. Fred Johnson has become a legendary and almost apocrypha figure for this town in the foothills of Southern Appalachia. Middle class factory workers and country club executives dominated this city during the 20th century. But the 21 century has arrived as industrial downsizing is taking a toll.Wolfe tells the true story as it really happened, 'warts and all.' Hopefully either Professor Wolfe or someone else will fill in more details and produce a future volume that fills in the gaps of the history of this city whose most prominent claim to fame is the hometown and idyllic setting of Lisa Alther's veiled trashy novel, "Kinflicks."