Michigan Books

I love this - love all the old info - I lived in Detroit 1953 - 1964; nostalgic!

Being in my mid 50's this book brought back many memories listening to radio in Detroit,Michigan back in the late 1950's and the 1960's. Very easy to read and a book that keeps your interest.

This is an amazing book. I loved it. I am a 35 year student of Detroit radio. I have been a radio station Program Director (WWWW) and Sales Manager (WWJ). I picked up all kinds of facts, context, connections, and progression of events I never knew. When it covered a subject matter I really know (the WKNR Keener 13 story, for example), I was amazed at how accurately David Carson nailed the story... not only the facts, but right down to the nuance of the story. Detroit Radio is honored by this book. If you are interested in the subject matter, I highly recommend the book!

This book deserves the most enthusiastic of accolades. Hopefully, five stars says it all. And I'd like to add that this superb look at Detroit radio is not only for rock and rollers. Detroit's enormous rock-guys are all represented, of course, but so are the pre-rock guys. The book has tremendous appeal for anyone who grew up in the Detroit area during the period. And, it was a hell of a period. The radio of 1950 was WAY different from that of the mid-Sixties. I was there in '50, listening to Don McLeod and Paul Winter playing Frank Sinatra, and I was on the air in Detroit in the mid-Sixties--with Don McLeod and Paul Winter, I'm proud to say--playing the BeeGees. I was only an insignificant peon, but I was there, and I was paying attention. David has done a real good thing with this book: a first-class creative effort, historically accurate, and evocative of the feel of the times. Casey Casem says on the jacket, "I read it in one sitting." It's just that compelling. Detroit radio deserves a book like this, and David Carson has given it to us. Thanks, Dave.

This book is many things: a history on the conservation movement in Michigan, a glimpse into the politics of the environment, and more. But as a whole one is most astounded by the sheer number of people throughout Michigan's history who have made a difference for their state's natural resources. It's easy to let the environmental movement be seen these days as the sole domain of liberal soccer moms. Far from true, it has been both Democrats and Republicans, animal lovers and hunters, farmers and urbanites, and men and women who have all made a collective big difference. The movement belongs to no one alone.

The book's rich history and insight serve as a subtle reminder that the environment really can be a nonpartisan issue after all, and after finishing the book you're definitely left with the sense that it will be again. An excellent and informative read.

Dempsey is an activist affiliated with MUCC, Michigan United Conservation Clubs. He assigned himself the task of writing a comprehensive history of conservation and environmental politics in the Wolverine State. His title is apt: the overall trend is indeed ruin and then recovery. Ruin began with over-trapping for pelts, for fish, for copper, for iron, and for timber. The recovery was painful and required a different attitude toward resources and the vulnerability of nature. Only one governor gets his nod as a champion of the environment, viz. William G. Milliken, and no others. We are presently is a third wave of reexploitation under John Engler. We are slipping back into bad habits of allowing pollution-by-dilution. Then why did he did he use the subtitle of "Michigan's Rise as a Conservation Leader"? Because of advocacy by interest groups and individuals ranging from Thomas Anderson to Mark Wycoff and from Audubon to EMEAC and WMEAC. Some corporations come in for positive evaluation. Such as Herman Miller Company of Zeeland. The overall story is not presented in black and white, but is subtle and recognizes the role of current culture. The vignettes of conservation-leaders including Thomas L. Washington, of his own group, are balanced. The documentation is superb and is informed by -Aldo Leopold, Dunbar, Catton and especially Sam Hayes. Criticisms include no maps, a Lower Peninsula bias and listing only one web site. Topics not covered include the Rouge River cleanup, NAFTA and incoming garbage, deep-well injection, nuclear energy mishaps, acid rain, slant drilling, and mine-exit strategy and the Seney National WLP. The book covers new ground, is competently researched, interesting and relevant, a model for other state case studies. The hard-back copy belongs in every public library as a compliment to Dunbar's state history and Lawrence Sommer's State of Michigan geography.

Dempsey's highly readable history of Michigan's environmental ups and downs is an excellent motivator. He shows us vivid examples of how the short term economics of business will harvest a resource until it is gone; cut down every tree and catch every whitefish. His reporting shows how industrial companies will dump their waste on anyone who is unaware or unconcerned (remember PBBs, PCBs, mercury and Dioxin?). He also shows us how concerned, active people have successfully fought and won battle after battle with political machines, unconcerned companies and unaware publics. Without these peoples' efforts we would have dirtier air, fouler water and an alphabet soup of contamination. Dempsey also gives us a good outline of the currently critical environmental issues of ecosystem preservation and land use planning. If you want to be motivated and and to feel that you can be part of a solution, this book is for you.

Also, if you want to know what to look for in your cantidates for political office Dempsey's information about Milliken, Blanchard and Engler is, alone, worth the price of the book.

This book is a must read for anyone the slightest bit interested in the Great Lakes, Michigan or the environment in general. Each page is choked with facts and history but is presented in a readable format that could almost be described as a "page turner." Dempsey's interest in the subject matter is contagious and obvious. He takes you into each era and you can see for yourself the evolution of what we now call the "environmental movement." More importantly perhaps, he makes you see that we still have a long way to go but that our concern and involvement is is necessary.

I think the best place to purchase this book is from Rusty himself at the Gates AuSable Lodge. I've been going there for many years and Rusty and his staff are the best as far as I'm concerned. This book is a compilation of a years worth of river reports which he posts on his website. Proceeds from the book go toward the non profit organization, Anglers of the Au Sable. Rusty's reports are different from most, and that's a good thing. Anyone can spurt out a list of bugs hatching on any given day. Rusty goes further with sincerity and concern for the AuSable River. What I enjoyed most about this book is how the compilation of reports created a pulse of the river. I also enjoyed the stories of the fishermen who live or have lived along the holy waters of the Au Sable. As a fisherman I try to accept all types of fishermen as friends. But, I consider Rusty's type to be the best of all because I find a commonality with folks who drive old trucks, work for their firewood, and find companionship with good bird dogs. Those are some of the subjects Rusty writes about in addition to fly fishing. But, the purpose of this book isn't just to describe the seasons of the AuSable. The purpose is to project the beauty of the River to help protect it from unscrupulous organizations who care more about greed and less about destruction of natural resources. Sometimes you have to fight for what you love and Rusty is doing just that. If you love the farmland near your home, or the park down the street, take some tips from Rusty and fight to keep them the way they are....or you just may be living next to an oil well yourself some day.

This is a book for all flyfishing lovers...Turn the TV and radio off, open the windows to hear the birds, bugs and wind and to smell the out-of-doors. Then settle into your favorite chair and savor every word of this refreshing book. You can hear the river and in a minute or two, you are there...on a mini-vacation. Rusty Gates succintly captures the mood and the mystery of the great North and in particular, the "Holy Water" of the famed AuSable River in Michigan. What a tribute to a grand river and what better author than Mr. Au Sable, himself. I am hoping for another book by Rusty in the future.

This book is a glimpse at the year in the life of a man and a river. Rusty Gates, along with Anglers of the Au Sable[...], is the guardian angel of a river system that is the jewel of Northern Michigan. The book contains the week by week fishing logs and thoughts that any angler visiting this area would benefit greatly from reading. The book is written in a way that makes you feel like you're talking to Rusty in his shop on the banks of the Holy Waters. A must read for Northern Michigan Troutbumm's!

You may think you're an accomplished fly fisherman, but you don't know jack about the sport until you've read this new treatise by Rusty "F'in" Gates. From how to tie Dave's Hopper to how to skin the face of a scumbag who interferes with your cast, Rusty tells it like it is. He brings you all the raw secrets of fly fishing, something no author has had the balls to do before.

From the moment I set eyes on Bill "Duke" Sodeman's introduction, in which he relates a story about the time Rusty caught a trophy brookie and beat a drifter to death with it, I was transfixed. This book truly takes you into the seedy underbelly of the fly fishing world with a level of honesty and brutality that I simply was not prepared for. Every chapter took my breath away.

Sure, this book covers the basics, such as how to choose your equipment, how to make a variety of casts, and what to do in given environmental conditions, but plenty of books do that. Where this book shines is its presentation of fly fishing's all-night cocaine binges, orgies with teenage groupies, and shocking violence perpetrated against fish and man alike. If you are not a fly fisherman, this book will challenge your fortitude as it dares you to pick up a rod and venture into the wilderness alone. If you are a fisherman of any skill level, this book will give you the tools you need to survive on the bloodthirsty Holy Waters of the Au Sable river.

Pass this one by at your own peril.

I had the luck to read this book in a literature class, and it has become a very personal love of mine. The story is beautiful and the characters are so full of symbolism; it is a feminine version of Homer's "The Odyssey", but with a feminist theme. The history behind the book is to intriguing that anyone interested in Classical Literature Studies, French Literature, Feminist Literature, or a good story, would quickly fall in love with its beauty as I have. I am currently attempting to contact publishers in hope that someone may realize its importance as a mythological masterpiece, and hope this review may spark some interest. If De Beauvior were born 500 years earlier this would be her "Second Sex". I believe in the story and its universal importance. (I give it a 9 because it was originally written as an Old French poem, which may be why it is so inaccessible--very few people can read Old French--but the story itself is priceless)

I thought the story "Silence" was very good, surprisingly interesting and engaging given its age. Its plot was not unlike many modern tales, which I found interesting also.

If I have one complaint, it is that the translator used some seemingly too modern vocabulary in her translation, like "hit the road," though I suppose there could be something quite similar in old French usage.

The most amusing part is the introduction, that among other things, mentioned that the story shows a hatred for women. They describe insults from the story against women. As a woman, I thought "Yeah, seems about right for a book written in that time." But lo and behold, turns out, the writer threw only as many insults towards evil women as he lavished great praises upon the women of good virtue. And he even said as much at the end, almost as if he were speaking in reply to the introduction. Didn't do him much good, though, they didn't listen. ;)

About the story, it was much better than I expected, with lots of excitement (never a dull moment) and strong characters. My main disappointment was the end, but I'll leave that to be discovered.

Cheers!

While another review has stated a similarity between this work and Homer's Odyssey, I would like to state that I did not see any connection between the two stories.

On the other hand, this is a wonderful story containing dragons, true love, anthropomorphic personifications of abstract concepts such as Nature and Nurture, wars, romance, thought provoking commentary, and humor. The poet inserts his own comments on life, society, and the behavior of the characters throughout the work to such an extant that he is as much a character as anyone else. Furthermore, this thirteenth century romance contains a French female warrior who predates Joan of Arc by approximately a century. It is amazing to think that this work was nearly lost to time by being hidden in a box labeled "old papers - no value."

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My only complaints were concerning the translation rather than the text itself. There were a number of spelling errors in the English text. Some references to notes on the translation were mismarked or missing. Also, as someone who can translate a bit of Old French, I found that while the majority of the translation was fine, there were occasional places where I wondered how she arrived at the word that she chose. Also, while the line by line translation in a facing page format made it easy to switch back and forth between English and Old French, I found many of her English phrasings to be awkward in that while they would look fine as a sentence, they did not scan well in a poetry format.

Still, those were minor quibbles over all. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys medieval literature like Sir Gawain and the Green Knight or Chretien de Troyes' romances.

I had the luck to read this book in a literature class, and it has become a very personal love of mine. The story is beautiful and the characters are so full of symbolism; it is a feminine version of Homer's "The Odyssey", but with a feminist theme. The history behind the book is to intriguing that anyone interested in Classical Literature Studies, French Literature, Feminist Literature, or a good story, would quickly fall in love with its beauty as I have. I am currently attempting to contact publishers in hope that someone may realize its importance as a mythological masterpiece, and hope this review may spark some interest. If De Beauvior were born 500 years earlier this would be her "Second Sex". I believe in the story and its universal importance. (I give it a 9 because it was originally written as an Old French poem, which may be why it is so inaccessible--very few people can read Old French--but the story itself is priceless)

Karl Bohnak's "So Cold a Sky" is a well-researched narrative quoting journals and stories from the Fr. Marquette era to the Edmund Fitzgerald. Our upper Midwest history is so closely tied to climate, weather, blips of warming and cooling over the centuries. One can easily picture the fur traders vs. the elements. An excellent format for the casual reader to understand.

This is the quintessetial book about weather in the UP of Michigan. The combination of history, science, and fascinating stories makes this a book for every weather fan in and outside of Michigan.

Wonderfully written. As as lifetime "yooper", I know what they mean by the saying "only in the U.P., if you don't like the weather wait 5 minutes it will change". Great book Karl.

Written by weather forecaster Karl Bohnak, So Cold A Sky: Upper Michigan Weather Stories is a compilation of true tales of upper Michigan's extreme weather conditions, from pioneers who braved bone-chilling temperatures to settle the northern part of the state to modern snowstorms and heatwaves. Written in a straightforward narrative style and illustrated with numerous black-and-white photographs and artworks, So Cold A Sky is an enthralling chronicle of the eternal story of man versus nature. An incredible testimony to the endurance of Michigan's hardiest human inhabitants.

Often the object of ridicule outside the state for his name and his green and white polka dot tie, G. Mennen ("Soapy") Williams was in fact a major force for change in Michigan. First elected Governor in 1948, he and an army of supporters created a Democratic Party from scratch in a state completely dominated by Republicans. Through four terms until 1960, Soapy battled the Republican legislature, which opposed corporate taxes (read the auto companies) and fought for education, mental health care and other basic social services. This is part of the story told by Thomas Noer in his highly readable biography: "Soapy, A Biography of G. Mennen Williams, University of Michigan Press, 2005). Most stunning is Noer's account of Soapy's early advocacy of civil rights, beginning in the late forties. He recognized discrimation against Blacks, notably, but also campaigned against anti-semitism. ("Gentiles only" signs were common at Michigan hotels, Noer points out.)

His outspoken liberalism cost Soapy a central role on the national stage; he had hoped to run for President at the ripe age of 43. After the `60 election, JFK threw him a bone and then was surprised by the energy and effectiveness Williams brought to his appointment as head of the obscure "African Bureau." A humiliating loss for Senate followed and shortly after Soapy went to the Philippines as Ambassador. He ended his career as a Michigan Supreme Court Justice, eventually Chief Justice. It can be said that Soapy didn't know when to stop, that in fact he only knew how to work, typical perhaps of his generation.

Biographers are often overcome by the deluge of details which accompany any research of a life. But Thomas Noer knows how to tell a story. His book is a great read. I grew up in Michigan during the Soapy years, when Soapy loomed larger than life (even though he slept at our house and showed up at my wedding reception, my father having been one of the many inspired by his leadership). As a young girI, I was inspired by all the independent women who worked with him. Now it is extremely gratifying to have a peek behind the scenes. Noer makes it clear that Soapy's idealism sometimes led him into political blunders. But in this day and age it is bracing to read of a leader who did the right thing - even if it was not always politically expedient.

A bit of disclosure is in order: I knew G.Mennen Williams from a distance, I grew up in the 1950s among many people who knew him very well, and I have always admired him. As such I am sympathetic to his ideals though aware of his imperfections, and quite knowlegdeable about his life and times. All that said, to me this book reads vivid and rings true. It is a work of formidable scholarship and scrupulous documentation. It is also very readable - as an academic editor, I marvel at the author's literacy and style!
The importance of Soapy Williams to the political history of Michigan and the nation, and the exemplary nature of his character arise from this book with remarkable vigor. One need not agree with his ideology to appreciate the profound effect he had on his time and place. He mattered. He was a leader who made people feel that they were personally involved in society, and that they personally mattered. At a time of cynicism, a "disposable" underclass, and cardboard midget politicians, his memory is both inspiring and excruciating.
Perhaps inspiration will win out. The greatest strength of this book is that it made me realize how much Soapy Williams made me and my generation in Michigan who we are.

William M. Klykylo / February 9, 2006

I know Tom Noer. I play golf with him on regular basis. I listened and watched with admiration and fascination his passion and commitment over the three years he devoted to the research and writing of this book. The result - an illuminating study of what we rarely hear about these days.....of how a man motivated by his religious beliefs became a classic example of what often is derided these days - a liberal. Noer does not whitewash Soapy's track record. He describes with fascinating details how Soapy led Michigan into financial chaos and became the only dissenter in the process of nominating LBJ as Vice President candidate. But Noer also has interesting writing style of saving his "zingers" as the last sentence of paragraphs throughout the book. This book is not only for life-long Michiganders, but anyone who wants to understand how and in what ways the principals of liberalism came into being and are part of today's political discourse.

Regional political biographies rarely get much attention. Thomas Noer's biography of the late Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams will likely appeal chiefly to those interested in Michigan history, but it should also find an audience among those interested in 20th century American politics. Williams, governor for 12 years, was intermittently and briefly on the national stage and thought to be a Democratic presidential contender. His presidential ambitions were shattered when his fights with the Republican-controlled Michigan legislature brought the state to bankruptcy. He was a millionaire, an unrelenting liberal, and a man of great personal integrity who had a life-long devotion to civil and human rights. He possessed a strong religious faith, which he acknowledged unashamedly. First elected governor at age 37, he turned Michigan into a two-party state. Professor Noer's book is a balanced, thorough, thoughtful, and very readable look at a fascinating life, and a welcome addition to the material on state-level public affairs.

This book gave a great depiction of life in Detroit in the 20's and early 30's. Not just a baseball book!!

If you read the title of this book you might think you are getting a detailed account of the the life of Norman "Turkey" Stearnes and the Detroit Stars, like you get from other books dedicated to a player's life, but this book is different. The story is more about the general environment of the Negro Leagues and race relations in the United States from 1919 to 1933. Great interviews with former Negro Leaguers and fans abound in this book, and the reader will get an idea of what life was like for both players and owners at this time. Readers will not only see Turkey Stearnes, but other greats such as Oscar Charleston, Ted Radcliffe, Andy Cooper, James Bell, Bill Petway, and Josh Gibson. The rosters and season stats for the Detroit Stars at the back of the book will be particularly interesting for anyone researching these players, and there are plenty of great photos as well.

Mr. Bak provides the reader with an insightfull, yet entertaining historical account of a segment of Americana that is too often over looked. A must read for diehard baseball fans, or anyone sincerely interested in either the history of Detroit in general or of baseball in Detroit.

I am Turkey Stearnes' oldest daughter and I think that the book clearly shows that these guys were very great and my dad was the greatest of all time and deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. This book helps to give him the recognition that he so justly deserves. I'm sorry that he is not here to see all that is happening with the Negro League players. This has been a long time coming. Thank You Mr. Bak.

I first learned about Up North Dream from a newspaper article. My wife and I always dreamed of moving Up North but weren't sure how to do it. After reading this book, we are now confident we will move Up North in the next few years. We can't wait to wake up everyday at our lake cabin.

A 'must read' for anyone interested in living in Northern Michigan. This book is very timely and relevant. It covers many topics of interest. I am using this book as a guide to ensure I am making all the right decisions for my family.

The author offers excellent advice and strategies for making a move to any desired location, not necessarily limited to just Northern Michigan. Containing anecdotes, checklists, and organizational information, the book discusses everything from the beauty of the north country to practical considerations such as investigating potential hometowns, job-hunting, starting a small business, budgeting, scheduling and financial planning.

I would have rated it 5-stars except for the fact that the discussion of Northern Michigan itself is actually very general and relatively brief. There is no specific information given on different communities and areas, such as characteristics of the geography and population, economic growth, amenities, etc., which would be helpful in narrowing-down likely areas in which to possibly relocate. The reader is left with the process of personally obtaining this type of information by referring to almanacs, chambers of commerce, newspapers, and web-based resources.

I recently attended an adult education course presented by the author on moving to Northern Michigan. The book and course included so much more than I expected. Thanks!

This second edition of VOM was terrific. A wonderful selection of many Michigander talents. I was especially impressed by "Pie," a truly inspiring poem by Molly McDonald. She's one to look out for in the future. Three apples are enough for me!

The poetry in this edition is especially strong this year, butdon't miss the short stories! The next Voices of Michigan mightpossibly be a children's volume...

The "Gala Event" conducted on Mackinac Island on June 18 to introduce Vol II of the "Voices of Michigan" was a truly wonderful event. It was topped only by the quality of the second edition of VOM. What a wonderful collection of poetry, short stories and non fiction. A great book to have by the bedside for a short read before sleep.

I am honored to be one of the authors in this volume, and so had planned to purchase it anyway, but I have been exceptionally pleased with the quality of the book and its contents. It is beautifully made with a stunning variety of fiction, nonfiction and poetry by writers with ties to Michigan. Many of the writings speak of Michigan and bring back wonderful memories. Others display the writing talent from all over the state. Thanks Jane and all for putting this together!

I loved this anthology. It rekindles one's faith in the small american press house. Mike Nagrant's Poem Intimacy was one of my favorites.

What a beautiful book. I'm so proud of my mother, the publisher (Jane Winston), and my cousins, Rob Harrell, the illustrator for the book sections and Ceci Winston-Floren, who developed the cover with her graphic arts talents.

This book (Vol. 1) was one that I enjoyed thoroughly. It's been a long time since I've been able to say that. I even took the book to my mother's home in Virginia where she read the book and enjoyed it tremendously. It's a must-read book for all of those interested in reading the wonderful works of talented authors from the "Winter Wonderland"! Thanks to MackinacJane's Publishing Company for making this wonderful book available to all. Happy reading!

Macjane's had afforded the unknown storyteller to share their experiences, their"roots"...the pieces of our lives that make us who and what we are. "Voices" is an incredible avenue, fresh in it's undertaking and vigor, to provide a place where stories can be told,whether in prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction, by the everyday person.Bringing to light that each of us has a story, unique in itself. Storytelling is an art form, that obviously is supported by the "Voices" collection. I loved the concept of an anthology of unpublished writers from the beginning and the book itself is a priceless collection of Americana!Bravo Macjanes for your vision!