Michigan Books

Tim Skubick is a master. His weekly news show (also titled Off the Record) is must see for many in Michigan. In his book he has gathered great stories from his 30 plus years in the news business. His writing, like his reporting, is informative and conversational. It feels like he is telling you the stories while sitting in your living room. He has an excellent touch for humor as well, with many "laugh out loud" moments included.

This is an excellent book for political junkies, and anyone interested in learning more about how good, tough, honest, media people work. It is an impressive recounting of some great history and stories.

Tim Skubick's "Off the Record" is a must read for anyone interested in the players and events in Michigan politics over the last 30 years. Skubick has seen it all as the longest serving member of Michigan's capitol press corps. He describes the most interesting scenes with all the details in "Off the Record."
The author's insider portraits of the power brokers and buffoons who appeared on stage in Michigan politics and government during his tenure are revealing. He dscribes events as diverse as the suicide of a corrupt judge to the intricacies of the campaign of Michigan's first woman governor. One of Skubick's most powerful chapters is his description of the rise to power of women in Michigan politics and government. The author has seen it all and shares plenty with the reader.
The book's only blemish is the obvious lack of editorial scrutiny. The author should demand corrections before the next printing. There are multiple grammatical and typographical errors that are not the fault of the author. For example, a candidate may be a "shoo-in" not a "shoe in" and it's "the die was cast" not "the dye was cast."
Despite these technical burps, "Off the Record" is worth the purchase price and provides equal amounts of insight and humor.

Science fiction author Thomas Disch has a strong following in the genre, producing memorable works which have earned an almost cult-like following; but this collection isn't his usual fiction - it's non-fiction containing essays spanning over twenty-five years of his career, offering his perspectives on the genre. From critical assessments of his contemporaries to the roots of science fiction which may be observed in modern writings, Disch offers a range of essays on everything from UFOs and the origins of Christianity to the unsung and too-few heroes of the short fiction genre. Critical, controversial - and thought provoking, On Science Fiction: A Last Judgment On The Genre From Science Fiction's Foremost Critic is for any who would think outside of the box.

I thoroughly enjoyed this idiosyncratic look at a genre which has long-needed a hard, critical eye from someone who knows what they're talking about. Disch, with Sladek, Spinrad, Ballard, Aldiss and Moorcock was one of those associated with the British sf 'new wave' of the sixties, which formed around New Worlds magazine and whose object was to bring the highest literary values to a form they called speculative fiction. Disch's own work is a fine example of their ambition and this book is probably the best so far on the subject. Highly recommended.

In yet another wonderful anthology of the Civil War, author Eric J. Wittenberg expands his library of work on Custer's successor in the Michigan 6th Cavalry, Brigadier General James H. Kidd. Wittenberg provides readers with a remarkable sense of reality, an inescapable feeling that they are sharing a personal fireside chat with a living, breathing veteran of our own Civil War.

"Under Custer's Command" is sure to please any readers of his previous collections of James Kidd. This latest book, a well-preserved and edited anthology of the personal letters of the young colonel and brevet brigadier general continues Wittenberg's efforts to detail the wartime activities of the Michigan 6th Cavalry. One of the most successful mounted commands during the war, the "Wolverine's" received far less acclaim and few of the accolades enjoyed by cavalry units led by men such as Jeb Stuart and Stonewall Jackson.

"One of Custer's Wolverines" is an exceptionally well-written collection of personal letters. Kidd's abilities as a writer breath life into his experiences and observations. As one of the few existing collections of first-person accounts, Wittenber's latest book expands and improves on the legend of Custer's cavalry. This wonderful book is a fantastic addition to any serious Civil War Custer library.

I have always been a fan of the cavalry in the Civil War, and this book provides some of the best accounts from a cavalryman I have ever seen. Mr. Wittenberg has done a great job annotating these letters, and has made the letters flow. Kidd was a great writer, and Mr. Wittenberg has made his work all the better. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves cavalry, or who loves the Michigan Brigade and Custer's men.

Although I don't agree with some of what the author says, she says it well. This book is funny and insightful. The author has written about women and their place in politics and how many important issues are overlooked by men in politics. She was very direct and to the point that there all issues are important to women although not all issues are important to men (such as mammogram scanner machines). She talks about how she overcame some of the preconcieved notions men had about her as a woman and how she learned to survive in politics. Very interesting.

enjoy.

Maxine Berman's inside view of the workings of the Michigan Legislature is funny, insightful, and interesting. An easy read, this book is full of biting commentary that forces the reader to think about political issues from a different perspective. Read it and weep tears from laughing so hard! Refreshing perspectives.

This is a first rate book on poetry. Its breadth is satisfying large, but more importantly its originality and insight are enormously rewarding. Like most any good book on poetry, it uses prosody effectively to help the reader see and hear things in the poems themselves. Anyone interested in poetry-not just devotees of free verse-will find much in this book to enjoy. It has that rare quality of actually teaching you something about things you thought you might have already known, so that when you turn again to read familiar poems, they are likely to reveal more about themselves. Also, this book is written with enormous clarity and good sense.

This is a first rate book on poetry. Its breadth is satisfying large, but more importantly its originality and insight are enormously rewarding. Like most any good book on poetry, it uses prosody effectively to help the reader see and hear things in the poems themselves. Anyone interested in poetry-not just devotees of free verse-will find much in this book to enjoy. It has that rare quality of actually teaching you something about things you thought you might have already known, so that when you turn again to read familiar poems, they are likely to reveal more about themselves. Also, this book is written with enormous clarity and good sense.

This is a wonderful pictoral journey through one of Michigans little towns. It depicts the people, the industry, the country and the things that shaped their lives. I personally would have like to see more but this was not enough reason to give it only 4 stars. However, it is a reason to have another book.

What a lovley view of the midwestern small town.. the old pictures are very enjoyable. The history, too, that they impart fits so many times and places.. a book to keep out and share with friends and children. Perhaps, especially, children... since it is like a different world from what they know, but there is still a hint here and there of what still is in the what was...

An comprehensive catalogue of commercially available Chinese medicinal formulas. Includes detailed information on functions, applications, dosages, cautions, and ingredients for each formula. Chinese characters are included. For anyone interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this book is a must have.

An absolutely neccesary edition to any TCM practitioner's library

We just moved to Michigan and our family lives in Atlanta. This book provided excellent hints and tips on keeping our child entertained for the long trip. It is full of information for entertaining pit stops. Instead of searching for ways to distract our child, now we can take a quick look at this book and plan our trip easily.

In a former life, I supervised the compilation and editing of thousands of directory pages each year. So I know a bit about the problems and goals of such information-publishing. And this one delivers. Specific information, concentrating on its topic, consistently presented. Plus, a good portion of fun and advice. If you're hitting the road down that long stretch of I-75, this is a solid and worthy investment.

Anyone who took Dr. Mark Perlman's courses on the history of economic thoughts will admires why he knows so much about the development of economics. His lecture notes are just like pieces of maps that lead his students into the Treasure Island of Knowledge. I am very happy to know that Mark and Dr. McCann have published their books. I would like to share my experiences with everyone who read the books.

Learning from Professor Mark Perlman was one of the best things happened to me when I was still a student. Since Professor Perlman had stopped lecturing on this topic ( in fact I was among those who attended his last series of lectures ), this book, along with an earlier publication in 1998, serves as an alternative to his interesting and thought provoking lectures filled with first-hand information about economics and economists. The course was an eye-opener for me and I highly recommend this book which covers the materials Professor Perlman put together for us.

This is not just another lighthouse story. Campbell's inspiration and primary source for the main character, Annie, (and her experiences) was a real person. Reading the book, you get a sense of both the beauty and the harshness of life on tiny Passage Island. Annie's deep love for the island resounds throughout. "Pocketful of Passage" is a book that everyone in the family can enjoy.

This story has all the heart of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Series, the thrills of Nancy Drew, and the added benefit of focusing on Michigan's history and lighthouses! Boys and Girls will both love this book!