“The Land of the Smokies: Great Mountain Memories,” Tim Hollis. University Press of Mississippi, 2007. 800-737-7788, upress.state.ms.us.

Tom Hollis separates fact from fiction in this book, which examines the evolution of tourism in the Great Smoky Mountains, exposing the origins of the stereotypes prevalent in the region as the reader takes a trip back to the days when attractions like Fairyland and the Rebel Railroad were commonplace.

Though nothing like reality, travelers wanted to see a moonshine-toting mountain man, stoic Indian chief and jolly black bear. Because of the discrepancy between the commercialized stereotypes and reality, Hollis says there has often been a natives versus tourists conflict in the area that has pervaded its 100-year history as a tourist destination.

The book chronicles the region’s history from the mid-1800s until the present day, examining which attractions have stood the test of time and those which only live on in the memory of a few. Dollywood, the multi-million-dollar theme park, is still a huge part of Pigeon Forge, Tenn. as is Christus Gardens in Gatlinburg. The Hillbilly Hilton in Townsend, Tenn. and the Tour Through Hell in Gatlinburg were not as fortunate.

The book includes vintage brochures, postcards, maps and photographs illustrating the history of the larger-than-life region. One of the Cherokee residents who made money by dressing up as an Indian, “Chief” Henry Lambert, sums it up: “This isn’t history, this is show business.”

—Brynn Boyer