Michigan Books

A stroke striking someone down at the age of thirty two - it can happen, and it struck down a woman in her prime. "Shooting Star: The Amazing Life of Ann Marston" celebrates the brief yet accomplished life of Ann Marston, beauty pageant champion, archery champion, model, & early promoter of Rock N' Roll. Covering her short life, it is an inspirational yet sad tale and a cautionary tale that everyone may be struck down, so always consider the now. "Shooting Star: The Amazing Life of Ann Marston" is a must for community library biography collections.

Shooting Star tells the story of archer extraordinaire Ann Marston. Born "In the shadow of Sherwood Forest" in 1938, Ann won a local beauty contest at ten months old and soon became a popular child model, appearing in numerous print ads and catalogs throughout England. She showed an interest in archery and by the age of nine was winning archery competitions throughout England.

In 1949 the Marston family moved to Wyandotte, MI, where Ann became an international archery champion, a finalist in the Miss America pageant and a rock band promoter despite being diagnosed with diabetes at age 12, which eventually stole her sight. Ann's life ended tragically in 1971 after suffering a massive stroke.

Author Alana Paluszewski had access to Ann's personal diaries, family home movies and photographs, enabling her to accurately tell the story of the first female professional archer. Shooting Star: The Amazing Life Of Ann Marston is of interest to archery aficionados, Detroit pop history buffs and anyone interested in reading the inspirational story of a true sports pioneer.

Anyone who is into the fine sport of archery should buy this book and become familiar with this facet of history!

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.

This book is a quick and fun read. These are made up of stories which would be very good for telling around a campfire. There are very interesting stories, from the "Nain Rouge," a wicked dwarf whose sighting means disaster for Detroit, to "The Merchant," a story about man shipwrecked at sea, and is rescued by a ghost ship.

A must read for anybody from Michigan, or anyone interested in campfire tales.

A fun collection of spooky folktales retold by the author. The book has some really freaky stories like One Last Head and the Devil's Coach. There are also funny/spooky combination stories like Sam meets Death, in which a practical joke goes wrong, and Followed Me Home, in which a ghost takes a shine to a pretty lady at his funeral and moves into her house!

A story that I personally found thought-provoking was The Staircase, in which we see what happens to a serial killer when he finds himself climbing an endless staircase following his death.

A fun read. Great for campfires or for a relaxing read on the beach.

All the stories in this book are very interesting. It is hard to pick a favorite. I really enjoyed the story entitled "Paul Bunyan and the Witch". This is a really good Paul Bunyan story that I had not heard before. This story by itself is worth the price of the book. The "Nain Rouge" in it's story line mention's a man named "Cadillac," according to the story seeing the Nain Rouge brings bad luck. "The Devil's Coach" is an exciting read about a farmer and two black horses that he purchases. "The Green Lantern" is a story about sailors in a storm on Lake Michigan being rescued by a strange light. There are a number of other stories that are equally well told. Once I started reading this book I found it hard to put down, even the last story a tounge in cheek tale called "Sam Meets Death" was quite interesting with an unusual twist. I recommend this book to anyone interested in folklore.

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!