Michigan Books

This is the second book we've purchased from the author, we wore the first one out. This is incredibly detailed and makes it extremely easy to find these lighthouses. The detailed mapes and the history of each light is enlightening and heightens ones excitement to visit each one.

I am a freelance photographer that travels the State of Michigan. This book is by my side when I plan trips and when on the road. It is organized logically in a trip around the state. Each light has a complete and detailed map and distances are almost always correct

Lots of great information and pictures of each lighthouse. We have used this book to visit many of the lighthouses and to keep track of our visits. I highly recommend it for Michigan lighthouse fans.

If you are planning a trip to visit lighthouses in Michigan and are not familiar with MI do not do it unless you buy this book. I used this book to visit about 50 of the 116 lights. I would have visited more except the rest are out in the water or on islands.
I have the previous edition of this book and it only has a
few color photos. This newer edition may have more. There are several B&W photos in the edition I have.
Laurie Penrose also has these books:
A Traveler's Guide to 100 Eastern Great Lakes Lighthouses
A Traveler's Guide to 116 Western Great Lakes Lighthouses

Just this past May (2001), I toured to most of Lower Michigan's lighthouses. Starting in St. Joseph and traveling north to Old Mackinac, then up to Whitefish Point in the UP, then back down in the Lower Peninsula. Once in the Lower Peninsula, we followed Lake Huron south to Marine City and then crossed over into Canada for our trip back to Buffalo. All I can say is...WHAT A GREAT BOOK. The biggest thing that I like about it is it includes directions to each light. What a concept. This book, coupled with my Garmin Streetpilot GPS unit got us everywhere we wanted to go without guessing. All together, we visited about 44 lighthouses and took over 30 rolls of film. ...

The book was sent in a timely manner and in the condition that was promised.

This book is very good lots of great images and information. It is good for anyone interested in wolves or Isle Royale lots of very interesting information on the wildlife and what is driving the ever changing isle royale system.

If you've been to Isle Royale and want to know more about the wolves, then I highly recommend this book. Most visitors to Isle Royale hope to see a wolf, and most visitors leave the island disappointed. Isle Royale is the closest thing to a closed system to study a predator-prey relationship, and is the site of one of the longest running field studies. The book has some good stories about conducting research on Isle Royale, including the winter study when the research team are the only people in the park. It also provides some insight into how theories about the wolf-moose relationship are still evolving after years of research. It also discusses the challenges the researchers faced when the wolf population took a nosedive in the late 1980's, and ponders the question of what should be done if the wolves die out on IR. This book is several years old now, so if you're interested in more recent data, contact the IR Natural History Association [URL] to get the latest report.

I've been interested in the moose and wolves of Isle Royale since visiting the island in the early 1990s. While I spotted plenty of moose (swimming in the lakes, jumping out of the bushes in front of us on the trail, etc.), the wolves remained hidden--a mystery.

Fortunately, Rolf Peterson writes brilliantly of the side of Isle Royale that many of us will never glimpse. Peterson's work switches easily between the science and the 'experience' of studying wolves in a remote setting. The book is chock full of interesting anectodes collected from Peterson's many seasons studying the island's flora and fauna. From landing a bush plane in a white-out to dragging moose carcasses through the woods, Peterson gives us an interesting look at the what being a field scientist might be like.

It's important to note that this book is not just about wolves. Indeed, so many environmental factors shape life on Isle Royale outside of its 'headlining' mammals (moose and wolves): from beaver to fox, from spruce to elder. Peterson does a great job of explaining how the changing environment (some human-induced, some not) has impacted the island's populations.

The book also has some excellent photographs, which illustrate not only the science, but also the beauty that is Isle Royale! Highly recommended.

This book provides an introduction to the wolves of Isle Royale. Peterson certainly knows the material, since he has led the island's wolf-moose study for decades. The book presents a mix of scientific findings, stories from the wolf-moose study, and Peterson's personal experiences and the island. It's well-written, though the mixture of these materials sometimes seems a bit random.

If your primary interest lies in the science of wolves, I'd read Durward Allen's Wolves of Minong instead. But for everyone else, this should be your first book on Isle Royale and the wolves.

The greatest strength of this book is its photographs. These include wildlife shots, pictures of study staff dissecting carcasses, landscapes of Isle Royale, and a few shots of Peterson and his family. The photographs, the color, and the paper the book is printed on are all top-notch.

Peterson argues that the wolf population may be in crisis. Fortunately, wolf numbers have turned around since he wrote this book. His concluding chapter, about whether we should reintroduce "non-native" wolves to Isle Royale if they died out naturally, is very thoughtful and thought-provoking.

Let me share a quick anecdote. The last time I was in Detroit was in 1991. What I saw there so depressed me that I wrote the city off as an urban-industrial wasteland, a veritable dystopia. A few years ago I moved to Houston. While Houston certainly isn't a pretty city, I've always told myself, "Well, at least it's not as bad a Detroit."

This guide proved me wrong on both points: Detroit is a treasure-trove of marvelous 19th and early-20th century American urban architecture (albeit, much in disrepair). And while far more prosperous, Houston is, in fact, a very unattractive large American city, save the few remaining structures (perhaps a dozen) by Staub, Watkin, Cram and Finn. Sorry to irritate all my Houstonian friends, but it's true.

Ecclesiasticus! The catalog of beautiful historic churches and cathedrals ALONE is worth the price of the book. Then there are the old skyscrapers and the public buildings (such as the Art Institute). Written in standard AIA format with relatively few (400) exceptionally well-chosen entries, this book will feel familiar to all architecture lovers who've ventured into buying one (or many) of these expensive guides. You're collection is incomplete without this one, if only for the fact that it documents one of the most important and impressive collections of American urban architecture in existence. Many of the most important architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries worked in Detroit, and most of their work remains. One thing to keep in mind is that the book features more public and institutional architecture than residential, but important residential sites are included.

The book format is perfect. The sites are well chosen. The photography is all monochrome, but the views are good and reveal the buildings well. There are even a few interior shots. Simple maps, introductory essays and architect biographies round out this benchmark entry in the AIA-sponsored series. The book includes excursions to Cranbrook and Grosse Pointe.

Detroit is still a poor and dangerous city (thanks to a completely incompetent government), but the building stock is enough to inspire a revival. And it's all still there waiting to be discovered! This guide is valuable for the architectural historian, preservationist, and armchair traveler. It may even inspire you to take a trip to old Motown for a visit!

Thoroughly researched, this book is a must have. Patterned after the W. Hawkins Ferry book I had decades ago as a student, this book updates and adds significant content about the rich architectural history of Detroit.
The writeups are informative from both a building and historical context. I loved the descriptions, such as from the Guardian Building (my favorite), "a lightning bolt of spirited inventiveness".
Take this book with you as you stroll downtown and you'll find new treasures, like the Water Department building.

Excellent!

This book covers virtually every building of note within the city limits, and many in the suburbs as well. Each building is photographed and its history and usage are described. The author is willing to criticize where he sees fit. An excellent read!

This guide it very thorough and well done. I consider it up with the AIA guide to Houston and the guide to New York as the best of these wonderful guides. I appreciated that the author also explored outside of the core city and studied Grosse Pointe and the Cranbrook; wonderful history and well researched. I was surprised that the Dodge mansion Meadowbrook Farm was omitted, but that does not detract from the fact that this is a very comprehensive guide. I have never been to Detroit, and quite frankly it has an notorious reputation, but having explored this guide I would consider a trip and that is high praise indeed.

Thoroughly researched, this book is a must have. Patterned after the W. Hawkins Ferry book I had decades ago as a student, this book updates and adds significant content about the rich architectural history of Detroit.
The writeups are informative from both a building and historical context. I loved the descriptions, such as from the Guardian Building (my favorite), "a lightning bolt of spirited inventiveness".
Take this book with you as you stroll downtown and you'll find new treasures, like the Water Department building.

Excellent!

I found this book to be well written and researched. James Jesse Strang is a unique character (A King no less!) in the history of Michigan. This book inspired me to visit Michigan's Beaver Island. As a compliment to this book I would also suggest reading Guardian of the Great Lakes The U.S. Paddle Frigate Michigan By: Mr. Bradley A. Rodgers.

I'm a relative of his and have recently become interested in learning about him. So please if you know about him tell me.

This work is a fairly standard, straight-forward biography of King Strang. It is very well researched, documented, and foot noted. It would appear that Mr. Van Noord dug deeper into his reseach than most authors dealing with James Strang have in the past. The book enlightened me on several points regarding King Strang that I had previously read and Mr. Van Noord found to be incorrect. If you are interested in learning about a fascinating man and those around him this is the book. However it gives only a sparce and very typical Beaver Island history and does not touch on the legendary (and I believe, mythical) Mormon, Beaver Island treasure at all. If those items are your points of interest, look elsewhere.

Mormonism's second prophet wasn't the famous Brigham Young -- he may have seized control of many of the Church's institutions, but he never claimed to be the "Prophet". That mantle was seized by the insteresting historic figure, James J. Strang, who led his portion of the Mormon Church from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Voree, Wisconsin, and then to Beaver Island, Michigan at the same time that Young was leading his branch to Utah.

Van Noord's book is a great biography of Strang which makes close use of Strang's journals, letters, books, and draws a great deal from the newspapers which Strang's church published. Strang's many successes both on Beaver Island and then also in the Michigan legislature, imply that he was quite a brilliant and eloquent character. The book leads you to wonder what might have happened had he not been assassinated.

The only problems with Van Noord's book are that he does not seem to be an expert in the field of Mormon history generally, and he has relied on informants in the modern Utah church -- the great rival of Strang's church -- for some of his information on Mormonism. Additionally, the biography definitely leaves you wanting a larger history of the Strangite church.

All in all, the book is an excellent read. I picked it up and nearly read it cover to cover uninterrupted, as I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Strang next.

I have done extensive study on the subject of Jas. Strang and his followers. I found this book and several others extremely fair-minded considering the controversies (as well as present day prejudices) surrounding this utopian experiment. I welcome other comments. My great-great grandfather was present at Strang's coronation on Beaver Island, Michigan.

There is little to add to the some of the excellent reviws previously listed. The documentation and bibliography is impressive as well as the author's willingness to discuss alternate interpretations of key historical events. The book is well written; but it is the numerous and well-drawn maps that I found particularly impressive.

My hobby is wargaming; and for those that share this hobby, this book is a gem. Think of it; 35 possible scenarios complete with maps ranging from Ancient Egyptian vs Ancient Syrian to Mondern Israelis vs Arabs...and even Armageddon itself. This can be considered either a "future" or a "fantasy" battle based upon your preferences. All of these battles could be gamed upon one large map or playing area stretching from Megiddo in the West to Mts Tabor, Gilboa, and Moreh in the East,\.

I had to do a presentation on megiddo for a class. This book was the most useful and interesting one that I had at my disposal.

History is a slight of hands artist of sorts. It tends to focus ones attention on the flashy action center stage while more important events are often happening in the wings. Its spotlight brings out in high relief the massive endeavor of the pyramids, the power and grandeur of the Roman empire, the longevity of Chinese culture, or the blood rituals of the Aztecs. In doing so it tends to neglect the margins, places where cultural synthesis and mere survival of local polities brings the real issues of life during the time into sharper focus. Eric Cline is a master at redirecting ones attention to precisely these issues of history. In The Battles of Armageddon he chronicles the "life" history of a region that was for most of that history on the margins of the action in the Middle East and in the world.

The Jezreel Valley and ancient Megiddo, the Armageddon of Revelation, are brought to center stage in this well researched and thoroughly entertaining book. Here the armies of the world have fought battles deciding the course of human history, and here too it is suggested that the final battle between good and evil will be fought in the future. All tolled, some 34 major battles have been fought in this valley, often if not usually between combatants who are foreign to the area.

In documenting the drama of conflict that has played itself out on this valley floor, Professor Cline has examined a wide variety of data recording human events in the area. He discusses the records of ancient Egypt, the Biblical texts, the cuneiform documents of Anatolia, Assyria, Babylonia, and Persia, the written material of both the Moslem and the Christian participants of the Crusades, French documentation of the Napoleonic wars in the Middle East, the Allenby diaries, letters, etc. for the World War I conflict with the Ottoman Empire, and the more recent evidence for the Arab-Israeli conflicts in the area. In short, he addresses an impressive collection of data and with it constructs an absorbing "biography" of the region, and in doing so brings the history of the world itself into sharper focus.

I found Cline's willingness to entertain alternative proposals for events of the Israelite conquest of the Levant particularly impressive. He does not seem wedded to any particular theme or version of early Biblical history, a fact which gives one confidence in his critical judgment with respect to early documents, both Biblical and extra-Biblical. Where he is uncertain of the order of or veracity of events or their documentation, he is willing to say as much. There is no effort to make the evidence appear more concrete than it is. He also seems to have no preferred "side" in the Arab-Israeli conflict at least as a historian and archaeologist--whether he has one as an individual is his own business. The author also sticks to historical information and its interpretation and only introduces archaeological data where it is pertinent to the discussion. He doesn't burden the amateur enthusiast with more detail than they are willing or able to imbibe. In short he doesn't slow down the "story" of the Jezreel which makes the volume more readable.

Although I certainly found the earlier history of the Valley of interest--my degree is in ancient history--I actually found Professor Cline's treatment of the era of the Crusades more engaging because I learned more. I also enjoyed the discussion of General Allenby's possible foreknowledge of the war between Thutmose III and the Canaanites at Megiddo an excellent demonstration of good historic detective work. (It was definitely a good illustration of the value of a thorough knowledge of history.) The bibliography of The Battles of Armageddon is a veritable who's who of historical and archaeological research since the 19th century, including authors of topical works, of edited collections and encyclopedias, and of journal articles. For anyone with a specific interest this would definitely be a good starting point for the pursuit of information on tangential topics. I will probably use it to help fill in my knowledge of the Crusades. Without doubt this book would appeal to anyone with an interest in history, particularly that of the Levant or of peripheral areas in general, or in political and military history. One might even use it to teach world history, as so many of the main "players" in the events of human activity have passed through this valley and left their mark on it. Definitely a work worth reading.

Professor Eric Cline's book here is one of the best works on the bloody and conflict ridden history of the City of Megiddo and its accompanying region, the Valley of Jezreel. Cline demonstrates how easily the name Megiddo had already been corrupted into Har Megiddo(or Mount of Megiddo) by the Roman era. This explains how it was later transcribed as 'Armageddon' by John The Apostle, who wrote the Book of Revelations. Cline documents the more than 30 battles which have raged in or around the Megiddo and the Jezreel Valley and chronicles many of the most decisive wars in history that occured here such as Napoleon's defeat of the Ottoman Turks at Aboukhir(July 1799) in the vicinity of..you guessed it! Megiddo, Sheshonq I's(the Biblical Shishak) assault against, and capture of, the Ancient Israelite cities of Beth Shan, Taanach and Megiddo in 925 BC which are all located in the same general area, Pharaoh Tuthmose III's stunning victory over the Prince of Kadesh at Megiddo in 1458 BC, and how more than three thousand and three hundred years later, the First World War British General Edward Allenby proceeded to virtually copy Tuthmose III's battle plan at Megiddo, catching the Ottoman Turks completely off guard in September 1918. The happy result, for Allenby, was the complete destruction of the Turkish Army in Northern Palestine and Syria, just 2 months before the end of World War One.

Professor Cline's excellent prose helps to explain why this book won the Biblical Archaeology Society's Award for the best New Book on Archaeology in 2001. Cline's view of the main reason why John decided to locate the Final Battle between Good and Evil at Armageddon--the same site where the last 'good' king of Judah, Josiah, fell in battle against Pharaoh Necho II in 609 BC--is quite persuasive. Equally intriguing is Cline's observation that the battle at Armageddon between Good and Evil was actually the penultimate(second last) battle in this series since a thousand years after this aforementioned battle, the Forces of Good and Evil will arise once again to do battle for the last time. However, this time the location was Jerusalem itself, as John writes in Revelations.

Cline's book makes an invaluable contribution towards our understanding of the strategic location of Megiddo as the gateway into both Syria and into the heart of Israel/Palestine; hence, its troubled history. As an Aside, Cline also documents the desperate struggles between Modern day Israel and the Arab states for control of this same area during the Wars of 1948 and 1967 where a breakthrough by the latter would have spelled disaster for the Jewish state.

For anyone interested in battles, ancient and contemporary, this book is for you. Cline invites those interested in the site of Armageddon as well as military history buffs into the world and circumstances of the Jezreel Valley. Destined to be a classic on ancient battles.

I have seen the movie "The Burning Bed" as well as read the book.... The book is completely different than the movie... I give Francine Hughes alot of courage to write or speak about her relationship with Mickey Hughes in the movie, and in the book... It must have been really hard on her to watch the movie and ready the book knowing it was her life they were broadcasting and writing about... Some women are not soo lucky to get out of an abusive relationship with out perishing the thought of killing their spouse/ boyfriend etc... I just felt for her cause of her three children and not being able to get any help from anyone.. In situations like that some women don't have a choice but to stay with the abusive person cause of the person putting them down for soo long that the abusive women have a tendency to think that is what they are after while.. Plus some women think that is love...Which we know it is not love...But some women like Francine are scared to leave in fear the person will kill them.. I would like to know if Francine has a fan club or an address anyone can write her... Last time I heard she was still living in Michigan, with the lawyer who represented her they fell in love according to the book... Please let me know...

I first learned about Francine Hughes's story in People Magazine during the summer of 1984. It was the first real-life story and movie I discovered about spousal abuse. I was proud of Francine for her bravery to escape from the drunken,physical,verbal,and abusive Mickey. (May he burn in hell!) I don't know why certain people, including the very inept police didn't do something about what Mickey had done to Francine, and why they all made it look like it was all her fault. Maybe they should all join Mickey in hell. What Francine did was quick thinking to be rid of him once and for all.
I also praised Farrah Fawcett for her role as Francine in "The Burning Bed". In a way, Paul LeMat did a good/bad role of Mickey.
I always wondered during the time that Francine set the fire to Mickey's bed, then escaped in time, if Mickey woke up suddenly, and tried to escape too, or if he was too deep asleep in a very drunken stuper to know what was going on, and just died instantly? Either way, he deserves to be dead.
I also wonder how Francine is doing now. Is she still married to her second husband Robert Wilson? Are her kids married? (She actually has four of them.) All in all, I hope she's doing okay.
I praise the movie and book with a good review.

I first learned of Francine Hughes's story from reading People
Magazine during the summer of 1984. It was the first actual story
and real-life movie about spousal abuse I ever discovered. I was proud of Francine and observed how brave she was to get away from
the drunken,physical,verbal,abusive tyrant Mickey. (May he burn in hell!) I was also glad her kids came through all right. (Francine had four children-not three, though the movie did.) I always wondered what happened when after Francine set the fire and escaped in time if Mickey had woken up, and tried to escape too, or if he was in too deep asleep in a drunken stuper to know what was going on, and just died instantly. Either way, he derserves to be dead.
I also want to know how Francine is doing, and if she's still married to Robert Wilson, and how her kids are doing. She's a very brave woman for what she did, and I hope she continues to do okay.

I got this book for a dollar at a used book store because I had heard so much about the movie, and I wanted to see what woman could kill her husband this way. Francine Hughes has a lot of courage, inner strength, and (it seemed to me) and faith in the Lord. I am appalled, however, that all these people -- her in-laws, friends, neighbors, the police -- knew what Mickey was doing and they either ignored the situation or blamed Francine. How sad that the laws back then were so lax and in favor of the perpetrator. But it really doesn't seem that we've come much further than twenty five years ago.

If your partner has ever abused you, then there's no question. This book is a must read for you.

I first watched the Burning Bed in 1987 and was so appalled, I wanted to smash the TV set! Farrah was excellent as the abused lady, she made you immediately want to hug and comfort her. Hughes certainly got his comeuppance,(I would have done the same) and there is no way Francine should have even been arrested, never mind ending up in court. It was a well-made film and I winced everytime Farrah was 'hit' and 'punched'. Paul le Mat was good, but was it a good idea for him to accept the role? Not everyone realises that this is a film, and he isn't the real Mickey Hughes. Francine proves that she has guts, how she coped with bringing up four children and a violent drunk for a husband, I'll never know and she thoroughly deserves to be happy now. I didn't realise she married again. I hope her second husband has treated her like a princess. Does anyone know what she looks like. Does anyone have a photograph of her, I need it for my project. All my love Francine, best wishes

I read Mel Visser's intriguing book, COLD, CLEAR, AND DEADLY, twice before writing this review. The main reason for the extra diligence was that I really wasn't quite sure what to make of the book. If I was puzzled by the first reading, I'd have to say I was fascinated on the second. This book really is the closest thing you can get to an environmental page-turner.

In fact, in his introduction Mel describes the book as a "mystery novel, with chemicals as the characters." That's a pretty good description but I'd also add that Mel casts himself as the sleuth, a loveable rogue who fits well in the tradition of dime store detective novels.

COLD, CLEAR AND DEADLY, is a personal account, a memoir really, of Mel's dawning awareness of the effects of POPs on the environment and his dogged determination to find their source. His awareness develops in the first half of the book as he attends a series of environmental meetings, symposia, colloquia--you get the picture. Potentially dry stuff this, but here's where Mel's personality really shines giving a unique insider, behind the scenes, view that I found quite engaging.

The second half of the book documents Mel's post-retirement investigations and growing commitment to a ban on POPs. He becomes convinced that the primary source of POPs in the environment is their continued use in the developing world and their global transport in the atmosphere. His research takes him on two trips to the arctic. At times his accounts have a travelogue quality, but his description of the horrific exposure of the Inuit to POPs in their traditional diet is riveting, and sure to make you share his outrage.

Fittingly, Mel finishes the book with a call to action. I, for one, wish him every success.

As a long time resident of northern Alaska and more recently a resident and guide in the Lake Superior Basin, I read with alarm "Cold, Clear and Deadly." As author and scientist Mel Visser narrates his life's quest to find out why northern waters aquatic life are still filled with deadly Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Visser found that in spite of the banning of POPs throughout North America these hazardous banned pesticides are still used in developing nations. The toxins, in molecular form become transported by winds in the troposphere world-wide.

Mel Visser writes in a non-technical way that is understandable to most people. His "Global Transport" section of the book, in which the reader views a POP molecule's journey globally from India to the Arctic illustrates clearly to the layperson how toxins are transported around the world. North American air is contaminated with more than 100 million POPs molecules in every human breath! The northern waters absorb the airborne pollutants and they get concentrated as they move up the food chain from simple organisms to more complex ones. The health and reproductive problems to wildlife at the top of the food chain as well as humans who consume the wildlife is alarming.

Visser was a chemical industry insider who worked for a Michigan pharmaceutical company as a chemical engineer for 20 years, then 16 years as head of the company's environmental compliance division.
An affinity for wild Lake Superior seemed to make Visser an industry scientist with a conscience.

"Cold, Clear and Deadly" does an excellent job of showing the growing danger to the planet of man-produced toxins. Visser writes to not just inform but to rouse the reader to action in telling others, including politicians about the growing danger to all life on earth.

Cold, Clear, and Deadly is a thrilling mystery adventure exploring for truth amongst strong human challenges to objectivity within science, culture, activism, and industry. This book is a must read for any change agent who seeks to navigate the for-mentioned communities toward sustainability or any person interested in protecting their own family.

Also highly recommended as an opening required reading for courses in Environmental Engineering, Aquatic Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Sociology or Political Science.

A technical man with a clear view from within the industry from an ethical perspective. Worth reading - a must!

Upon early retirement from the UpJohn Company, Visser undertook an investigation which was like solving a mystery to find out how persistent organic pollutants--POPs--were getting into the colder waters of the earth from the Great Lakes to the Arctic Ocean. The POPs, at first though to be harmless, were becoming so prevalent and toxic that blubber from some Arctic Ocean whales would classify as hazardous waste. Visser had the necessary scientific background for this investigation. The long stretch of his career at Upjohn where he had responsibility for environmental compliance and remediation gave him knowledge of "process research" and "training in the behavior of chemicals" he would need. "The refusal of banned chemicals to leave Lake Superior" became a perplexing question to him during his last years with Upjohn. Noting that the answer to the question of POPs in Lake Superior and other bodies of water "unfolded like a mystery novel, with chemicals as characters," Visser writes a first-person tale with the novelistic techniques of dialogue, action, scenes, and short paragraphs. The compelling environmental story in a popular style makes the book a model for others on environmental issues which are matters of growing public concern.

I like it becuse it is a love story and I love love stories and because fun to read and I think everyone should read it.

THE COVENANT was an excellent book of one girl's struggle to find a place in a world spinning wildly out of her reach but to eventually find peace in Jesus. It felt like I was really in the Civil War era....

The White Pine Cronicles was first introduced to me by my mother. Scince then I have read the Covenant approximately 7 times and the other two following it at least 5 times.

The Covenant follows Jennet Cordell. Jennet leads a harsh life on Roman Havlicks farm until she is sold by her father to repay debt to her uncle. Jennet fears she will never be able to survive under Taits strict and cruel hand until one fateful day when Freeman Havlick saves her. She now believes she is free but she does not know that Freeman has other plans for her.

The Inheritance is the story of young Lark Baritt and Clay Havlick. Lark is an orphan who through a matter of events comes to be the guard of the Havlicks beloved white pines. Clay is now 25 so the Pines belong to him and Lark fears that Veda Thorne is planning to marry Clay so he will give her the pines and her fathers revenge will be complete against the Havlicks who made him suffer so long ago. Lark protects the pines so they will not be lost to the Thornes but in the process fears she is losing her heart to the young Clay Havlick.

The Dream is the last book in this Saga. The Havlick twins suffer horribly from hate. Trent and Emily, and Justin and Prisilla, must all work together to fufill Jennets dream. In the process they must release the hate and find the love they each have hidden in their hearts.

This is the most wonderful series I have ever read and I will undoubtedly read it again.

I am very disappointed that these books are out of print. Why? They are probably the best Christian Romance books I have ever read. She is truley a compelling writer, and draws me into these books over and over again. I never, ever, get tired of reading the White Pine Chronicles. They have touched me in amazing ways, and have shown me the power of love through Jesus Christ in relationships. These stories are spiced with the perfect amount of healthy romance- which is very fulfilling. You finish these books wishing it never ended! Please take the time to read these books. You will not regret it. Hilda Stahl is an incredible writer, and these books should not be out of print!!!

This trilogy is the one of the best peices of literature I have ever read in my life. it touched my heart as well as my soul and I find it extremely sad that it is no longer available. I hope against hope that it returns to print very soon. The three different stories are all very different but tie together in the most charming ways. I give this book a 10. no doubt, if you read this trilogy, you'll never forget it.

We liked this book and the general ideas it gives children about all there is to see and do in Michigan.

I made the mistake of driving north in Michigan with one book and three children (ages 6, 8 & 11). It's a great book for keeping kids busy, having fun and learning! Filled with lots of great activities for a wide age range.

I bought this book for my 10 year old daughter and she loves it. She started reading it and doing the activities as soon as we recieved it. She even insisted on taking it with her when we went on a trip to Texas this summer! She likes to quiz us on the Michigan facts in the book to see what we know and takes special pride in the knowledge (especially when it helps her get a question on Jeopardy). We have done some of the day trips and really enjoyed them.

We bought this book to use as part of our homeschooling unit on our homestate of Michigan. I have looked through several other books for kids about Michigan and I must say how impressed I am with this one. My 8 yr old daughter, 12 year old son and 14 yr old son all really like it. The actual color photos are great as some books just use illustrations. The book is written so a younger child can read it, but older kids can still enjoy it. We can't wait to take some of the day trips that the book recommends.

We live in Michigan, and my daughter loves this book. There are lots of fun activities for her to do and the photos are great. She learned some interesting facts about our state and now has a new list of places she wants to go! The book also covers lots of our favorite places, too. I would recommend it for families traveling in Michigan - whether you live there or not!

I read this book shortly after my daughter's (also named Zoe) premature birth. The book was rather inspiring to me and helped through some of tribulation I was going through with my own daughter. After reading the book, I knew that I was not the only one going through that same situation. After reading this book, I have felt even more blessed to have my child because I know that there are many parents out there who are not as fortunate as I am to have a healthy child.

I have purchased this book more than a dozen times for parents of children born with special needs. It is a chronological story that offers hope and much need faith for those who might be faltering. I was once one of those parents and this book helped me through. I hope everyone has such an opportunity as to read this amazing journal.

I was given this book as a gift after my daughter became seriously ill. At 6 weeks, my daughter (also named Zoe) was hospitalized for heart failure. While she wasn't premature I could totally relate to what the author was feeling and thinking during those trying times. I'm not even completely finished with the book yet and already I find myself inspired by it.

If you have ever had a premature baby or know someone who has, or are just curious about the world behind the plastic walls, this book is a must read. Told from a grandfather's perspective, it is a beautiful account of the passion of a parent to a child and then to her child. A great, hopeful story.

True, this book is initially about the birth of a premature grandchild, but it is about so much more. It is about the preciousness of life, no matter how short or long it is. It is an affirmation of life. I would recommend this book to anyone who is willing to look at life thoughtfully and honestly. Mr. DePree writes with painstaking honesty and heartfelt thoughts on prayer, life, death and God. Go out and read the book today!