Among Nashville's many slogans, the one that best reflects its decorum is the Nashville Way, a phrase coined by boosters to tout the city's amicable race relations. Houston offers the first scholarly book on the history of civil rights in Nashville, providing new insights and critiques of its moderate progressivism.

Among Nashville's many slogans, the one that best reflects its emphasis on manners and decorum is the Nashville Way, a phrase coined by boosters to tout what they viewed as the city's amicable race relations. Benjamin Houston offers the first scholarly book on the history of civil rights in Nashville, providing new insights and critiques of this moderate progressivism for which the city has long been credited.