Electric City

In Electric City, historian Thomas Hager explores the ambitious but largely unknown story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison's dream to transform a region along the Tennessee River into an electric-powered metropolis during the Roaring Twenties. This visionary project, intended to reshape American society with renewable energy and mass commuting, garnered both support and skepticism from locals. While the “Detroit of the South” almost became a reality, it ultimately faced opposition and gave rise to the Tennessee Valley Authority, highlighting the complexities of progress and community impact. This engaging narrative offers insights into the ambitions and challenges of two of America's most influential figures.