Michigan Books

This book is precious! My children love it and even my husband enjoys reading it to them. He says the words affirm his sense of self along with that of the kids. Let's have more from Ms. Griffie.

Stardust entices our children to learn more about themselves and to cherish what they find. It contains affirmations of love and laughter that could last a lifetime. For parents, grandparents, teachers, and others who have the privilege of nurturing children, Stardust will help develop in your child a solid sense of Self. Move over mother goose and dr. suess, Stardust is sure to become a classic.

What a delightful book! Children of any heritage can rejoice in the glow of the verses. With bright and colorful pictures, their hearts will warm knowing that they are cherished beings. My children (ages 3 & 6) keep this book on their "requested readings before bed" list!

Like the other reviewers, I read these as a young person many years ago and the stories really touch your heart. They sink down deep in the bones. Like Laura Ingalls Wilder stories, but closer and stronger even!

I won this collection of books at a raffle when I was in fourth grade (this was 20+ years ago). I began reading and just could not stop - I think I read through the whole 3-book series within 2 days. Now I'm going to buy the same set for my kids. I love it.

I don't know of anyone alive who can tell the stories Arleta Richerdson does! I am facinated with the stories of growing up at the turn of the century -- tales from one hundred years ago. Girls of ALL ages will enjoy this book!

This book, which I without hesitation grade an A, got me an A on my political science exam. If you need background info on a crisis, what caused it, who were affected by it, actors, mediation, just about anything concerning a crisis, this is the book for you. A must have for anyone who's serious about political science, or anyone interested in conflict and crisis in the international system. Don't think I've ever run into a more helpful and comprehensive book on this subject, and the supplied semi-searchable database is superb!!!

A Study of Crisis is a monumental work on the causes, process, and outcome of conflict. Brecher et al., combine rigourous quantitative analysis with pithy qualitative research on the numerous conflicts (both protracted and non-protracted)with and without war, which have engulfed states throughout time. Brecher and Wilkenfeld's Unified Model of Crisis has transcended the Levels of Analysis problem that has besieged international relations theory in the past. This book is a must have for serious scholars of peace and war.

This seminal work on Crisis in international relations is finally in paperback. The hardback version of this book is one of the best emphirical quantitative studies of crisis ands its impact on war and peace. The book gives an excellent overview of the definitional arguments related to crisis and then goes into detail on the theoretical questions brought up in the study of crisis. The authors skillfully buttress thier theoretical arguments by using the well respected ICB dataset to support them. The paperback improves on the original by putting all the cases and case descriptions on cdrom, making finding the cases you are interested in finding much easier and efficient. All in all this is an extermely useful starting point for any discussion of crisis as well as an excellent example of effective quantitative social science research.

Tom Carney tells wonderfully descriptive stories packed with humor and honest emotion. For anyone who has ever owned a dog, fished a stream, experienced the comradery of "hunting season" or just reflected on life from their recliner, this book will fill you with the joy of these memories!

I've been a big fan of Tom Carney's writing since about 1986, when I ran across some of his witty, thoughtful columns in outdoor magazines. I was delighted when I found out that his columns and essays were being published in books. I rate SUN-DRENCHED DAYS, TWO-BLANKET NIGHTS and now his new one, BIRD-DOGS AND BETTY CAKES right up there with the best of books about the outdoor life, especially dogs, birds, hunting and fishing buddies, and generally trying to live a good life in difficult times. A darned good writer and he's funny too.

All too many columnists from smallish papers, particularly those who dwell in the world of hunting and fishing, feel they have the where-with-all to put together their columns over the past few years and call the collection a book. Seldom is it worthy of such a title.

Tom Carney is thankfully not one of these. A regular columnist for a variety of magazines and newspapers, Carney transcends the norm in Sun Drenched Days: Two Blanket Nights. Yes, the book does surround the outdoor experiences involved in hunting and fishing, but it goes well beyond the norm of "me and Sam in a boat stories".

Carney wears his heart at the the end of his pen while introducing you to the wonders of woodcock dancing on the western skies, of brook trout from clear cool waters and the companions he has had the priviledge to enjoy these with. And it seems it is the comraderie that he relishes most.

When I interviewed Carney he told me that he considers his work as simply stories. They are much more than that. This collection is a love affair of all things wild-the sweet mustiness of autumn leaves and the smell of a wet dog, of camp cooking and star-filled skies. It is a collection of people and places that have helped him to grow in appreciation of time afield and of the fleeting time he has had to share with friends.

Readers from Michigan have probably heard of Tom Carney. And while this collection certainly is Michigan-based, it does go well beyond the Wolverine State boundry. Carney will make you laugh, cry and remember. While you certainly have not been with the people he has, you have been with others of their caliber. It is the memories that his stories will rekindle in you that are most important.

Carney's book is something to be consumed while sitting in an overstuffed chair next to a fire. An English setter curled by your feet would be a nice finishing touch.

I was very impressed with this first novel by the author. It was a "keep reading" story and the surprise ending was not given away. I'm looking forward to a sequel.

I thoroughly enjoyed this quick moving well written novel by the young new author Matt Williams. I am anxiously awaiting the next Lake Superior mystery. Enjoy!

Superior Death by Matthew Williams is a gripping and evocative new thriller depicting the life of the small-town reporter Vince Marshall and his hot-pursuit of the truth and justice in his evermore secretive town. With a potentially cheating wife, a degrading and extremist boss, and the police deciding his mother to be the prime suspect for the mystery of a local woman's death, Superior Death deftly maneuvers the language and plot for a highly mystifying tale as Marshall delves deeper into the terrifying truths encumbering his small town. Superior Death is very strongly recommended for its unique structure and fascinating and intricately woven story for all fans of mystery fiction, and most particularly those familiar with the northern Upper-Michigan Peninsula.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE MSU NCAA CHAMPS OF BASKETBALL IN 1979. LED MY MAGIC, JAY VINCENT, GREG KELSER AND COACH JUD HEATHCOTE THIS TEAM DOMINATED INDIANA STATE TO WIN THE FINAL GAME. THE AUTHORS INTERVIEW ALL THE PLAYERS AND COACHES AND WE GET THEIR INSIGHT INTO THAT SEASON ALONG WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING TODAY. I AM AN OHIO STATE FAN BUT I REALLY FOUND THIS TO BE VERY WELL WRITTEN AND INTERESTING. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR ALL SPARTAN AND COLLEGE HOOP FANS.

Being a die-hard Michigan fan, it's hard for me to admit that I enjoyed anything with the word "Spartans" associated with it. Based on a strong recommendation from a friend of mine, I decided to give this book a chance. I am very glad that I did. It offers a collection of wonderful stories masterfully written by two men who followed this team's every move through the 1978-1979 basketball season. Stabley and Staudt are then able to track nearly every member of the team down 25 years later for their own recollections of what was truly a "Magical" season. A must-read not only for every Spartan fan, but for anyone who appreciates the triumphant nature of the human spirit. I can't wait for the sequel: the story of Rumeal Robinson and the 1989 Michigan Wolverines!

A must for all true Spartan fans as well as basketball fans. The book comes out 25 years after the Spartans' 1979 NCAA championship season and is comprised of many short stories dealing with the players, coaches, media and fans from that season. The stories include the battles the coaches went through to recruit the MSU players including Earvin "Magic" Johnson. It's interesting to see where all 13 players are these days and what they've done in the last 25 years. The battle between Michigan State and Indiana State changed college basketball forever and the book touches the memory banks of those who played in the game. It's a fun read and enjoyable for fans of all ages.

My 7 year old loved this story so much that she wants to canoe to the 2 islands mentioned. She looks forward to running down the sand dune and taking a personal look. When a book can inspire a child to want to see for herself, this is grand writing. We love Anne Margaret Lewis!

Carry forward the tradition of summer walks on the beach with Grandpa, collecting rocks and stories. This book is charming, well illustrated and sure to be a favorite in many homes, especially those with memories of the Great Lakes shoreline.

While browsing through childrens' picture books when visiting the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, MI, the title and illustrations of Tears of Mother Bear immediately caught my attention. As I began to read the book I was mesmerized. Anyone who has ever spent time with family during the summer at the beach - looking for special rocks and stones on the shore - will love this book! Remember finding those stones that were great for "skipping" and those that were "keepers"? I couldn't wait to get back home to search the net for the Petoskey Stones this book introduced to me. What a wonderful tale!

Terror Stalks Traverse City is my son's favorite of all the Michigan Chiller Books he has read so far. He loves to read the Johnathan Rand books. Having recently met the author and having his picture taken with him and the Chiller Van made our son's day!
Once he starts to read one of these books it seems he has a hard time putting it down. The Michigan Chiller books make kids want to read. Thank you, Mr. Rand!

The book I read was a Michigan Chiller book. It is the second book. The main title of the book is Terror Stalks Traverse City. It's mainly about a boy named Matthew Sorenson. People also call him Matt. He has always wanted a magic kit. One day his grandma and grandpa sent him a magic kit for Christmas. Before Matt read the Directions, he tried to make something disappear. That's when it all started. This is a good book because the author Jonathan Rand makes you want to keep reading the book. At the end of each chapter, something happens and you want to read to see what happens.

My kids love the books in the Michigan Chiller series by Jonathan Rand. The books are all set in Michigan towns, but anyone from anywhere would enjoy them. The books are very suspenseful - but not too scary for small kids. They are written on a third or fourth grade level, but my second grader is reading them and loves them. She can't put them down. I'm also reading them aloud to my 6 year old kindergardener who is also enthralled. I highly recommend any of the books in this series and am anxiously awaiting the release of Dinosaurs Destroy Detroit.

THIS BOOK IS ABOUT THE ALL-TIME TIGERS TEAM, POSITION BY POSITION. I REALLY ENJOYED READING ABOUT GREATS LIKE PRINCE HAL, KALINE, GIBSON, GREENBERG, LOLICH, COBB, CASH AND MANY MORE. THERE ARE SOME GREAT PHOTOS AND ALOT OF NOSTALGIA. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FOR THE TRUE BASEBALL FANS WHO REALLY HAVE FOLLOWED BASBALL OVER THE YEARS. THESE TIGERS COVERED IN THIS BOOK EARNED THEIR STRIPES, INDEED. SOME GREAT GREAT MOMENTS RELIVED IN THIS BOOK.

Our national pastime is the one constant reminder that everyone kid can grow up to play in the major leagues. I have been a long time Philadelphia Phillies fan and as such seldom read books about other ball clubs. After finishing this book I will have to rethink that policy as the Detroit Tigers are one of the most storied franchises in baseball history.

Starting off with the greatest ballplayer to ever put on spikes, Ty Cobb, the book begins to tell more than a story about the Tigers but also about the fans in Detroit. Men like Charlie Gehringer, Sparky Anderson, Hank Greenberg, and Al Kaline, Alan Trammel ands many others are all in the true baseball fans collector book.

The book had Kirk Gibson in the outfield over the great Harry Heilmann and while I wouldn't have made that choice the writers do make a fairly convincing argument for the selection. I enjoyed the inside look into Al Kaline and his often tumultuous relationship with the people of Detroit.

Finally the book is more that the best Tigers it also includes the near misses, the ones that should be there as well and even the weird and funny characters of the teams. Overall a great book for those interested in the game as well as the "true" Tiger fan.

This is a very good book about all of the great Tiger players. They name their all-time team and have stories about some of their great pitchers. Several of their great managers are also included. McLain, Lolich, Newhouser, and Trout are some of their better-known pitchers.

I think everyone should read this book. It only serves to make us realise how lucky we are and how we, especially in the West, can have nothing to complain about. The sufferings of the various women who in some cases had to fell trees in -50 degrees centigrade for 600grms of bread a day is inspirational. At some points I felt that I was ready fictional accounts as I found it hard to believe that mans inhumanity to man, or in this case, woman could be so mind numbingly awful - and for what.....truly terrifying. Exceptional read you will not be able to put it down and the strength of character of the women will stay with you long after you have finished the book.

Full of interesting characters, cruel soldiers, vicious fellow prisoners. The physical desolation and emotional desperation these women experienced during their respective prison sentences is unforgettable! This book should be required reading for anyone interested in modern-day tragedies.

This book is, without doubt, shocking, shaming, horrifying and representative of the utter degradation of the Stalin regime but equally, it is filled with courage, strength of spirit, endurance and compassion for one's fellow human beings. A collection of memoirs of women imprisoned in Stalin's purges, reading this is like having a series of intimate conversations with women caught up in something so evil and wicked it defies imagination.

I found myself wondering about the Russian psyche, the nature of communism, the parameters of dictatorship and the increasing obsession today's governments have with political correctness. There are scarcely words to describe the future an ordinary, well-educated, Moscow career girl could face for telling a slight joke, having vengeful neighbours, marrying the wrong man, being the child of the wrong parents or, indeed, doing nothing wrong at all. This stuff makes Orwell's 1984 look like The Simpsons and Kafka like Harry Potter. So unjust and farcical were the bases on which these women were incarcerated in prisons and camps no different than those created by Hitler and the Nazis, that you feel the victims and, indeed, the whole of the USSR was caught up in an indescribable nightmare. Truly, I don't have words to describe how sick and devastated I felt on completing this book. Read it and weep. This truly was Armageddon.