Michigan Books

It's great that there's now this critical overview of Harrison. It's also great that other books by and about him have come out recently---his memoir and the "Conversations." Altogether they're an amazing look at a wonderful writer.

(I have to note that in his "Conversations" Harrison repeatedly trashes the academic MFA system and bemoans the fact that a writer can't make a living unless he does something else---in Harrison's case, write screenplays. Do other prominent writers today express similar sentiments or is Harrison a stand-out in his candor in this regard?)

"True Bones" is a fine ruminating overview of Harrison's work. I'm greatly enjoying it (most of the way through). BUT! "Ruminating" implies way too much accessibility. It's extremely academic---intentionally so, but this isn't mentioned in the other reviews. It's almost impossible for a layman to read. I've read a ton of hard stuff and I can just barely manage this one. There are occasional standout paragraphs of direct clarity but most requires heavy digging. Be prepared! Complex, convoluted sentences ahoy!

I guess it also serves to introduce one to some of the values in academia today, such as in the essay that gives a postmodern analysis, but---hoo, that one was over the top. It doesn't give a hint as to WHY one would have such values, except that it, too, did have a few neat insights, again making it worth the work.

Still, it's great to see someone paying such close and literary attention to Harrison's work. And there are indeed insights in it throughout. I wrote this "Reader Review" mostly to note that it's a big effort, but well worth it. (I write, too, with wishes that academia would be more accessible.)

The scattered other reviews of Harrison's work are undoubtedly more accessible. But "True Bones" is sustained, in-depth and references many of those reviews as well as many other academic ideas, explaining and showing how Harrison works in light of them, even though the "light" of academia is a tricky thing and even though academia is a scene that seems out of touch---as Harrison himself often notes.

This compilation of critical essays by Dr. Patrick Smith is the first full-length text to thoroughly examine the scope of Harrison's fiction. Smith's writing is clear and concise and offers itself as an intellectually rich and beautifully written companion to the work of a truly incredible contemporary writer. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates the fiction of Jim Harrison. Thank you Dr. Smith!

If you care at all about Jim Harrison's peerless work and the timeless craft of writing, you will devour the emerging talents of Patrick Smith as he leads you through the rich world of Mr. Harrison's work.
Insightful analysis, thought-provoking attitudes and fresh reasoning pour forth from the new and credible voice of Dr. Smith, who demonstrates complete mastery of his subject matter. I applaud this long-overdue look at one of the great voices in fiction, by a new and worthy writer.
Bravo, Dr. Smith!

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.

This is a super book, intelligent and attractive as well. As a child, I loved Vernor's Ginger Ale, and I enjoyed reading this book tremendously! The history of the company is well written and interesting, and the numerous illustrations are varied and delightful. I especially appreciated the chronology and bibliography that balance the cool graphics with authoritative research. Well done!!

This unique and eye opening saga into the history of Vernor's, reveals a facinating evolution from a doctor prescribed tummy soother, to "Detroit's Drink". Lawerence L. Rouch is an increadible writer who brings to life the colorful and amazing history of more than just a soft drink, but of the city of Detroit itself. From "The Original Ginger Ale's" post civil war beginings to its current position in the highly competive soft drink market of today, the Vernor story truly is one of a kind.

Wow! This book takes me back to my childhood in MI. It's so richly illustrated & so fun to read! I love it. I am going to buy it for all my friends and family for XMAS. What a great Michigan read!

As a former Christian clergy who is also Lesbian, I am familiar with those gays & lesbians whose parents could not get past their interpretation of scripture. Often, however, the lesbian/gay adult child did not share their truth out of fear of being rejected. Ms. Taylor's journey with her parents is more balanced than any I've encountered. There is such a theme of love and acceptance in her writing. I have referred it to homosexual and heterosexual friends for personal libraries or as an interesting reference for gays considering international adoption, coming out to parents, dealing with role-reversal with aging parents, finding an accepting church...and I'm sure they'll have other reasons to recommend "Waiting for the Call."

Ms. Taylor has written a beautiful, touching story about her life. As the daughter of a Baptist minister, I could relate to growing up in a southern town, faced with the struggles she experienced. As a social worker, I found her issues surrounding her mother's mental illness, international adoption, and facing her children's challenges in having two mommies and being adopted fascinating. As a human being, I found her story to be touching, beautiful, and a must read for everyone. I applaud your efforts, Jackie. I couldn't put the book down! Thanks for giving us such a beautiful story.

This book is excellent. It has depth and insight on many common human issues; family relationships, international adoption, parenting, therapy, spirituality and religion, and it is all shared with humor and love. It's a page turner!

Patricia Reilly Giff's WILLOW RUN tells of Margaret, whose life is changed by World War II and the fact that her grandfather is German - and suspected of being a spy despite his love for America. Her family's move to Michigan where her father will build planes in a factory takes her away from her grandfather and all she knows in this poignant story of war and change.

Willow Run
Patricia Reilly Giff
Wendy Lamp Books

What would you do if you had to leave your whole life behind you and move away because of war? This great book Willow Run is the story of Meggie Dillon, who has to move because her family needs money. Because Meggie's brother has gone to war. The family moves to a place called Willow Run. Here Meggie faces many obstacles when she finds out her brother is missing in action, then realizes she doesn't remember his face. Meggie also steals some icecreame from the icecream truck and then feels guilty, and wants to pay for the the icecream she had stolen, that means she has to face Arnold, the icecram man, who she and her friends think is a spy. This book is filled with friends, icecreme, letters, war, and truth. You will discover all of this and more in Willow Run.

Meggie (Margaret) Dillon is an eleven year old girl from Rockaway New York, who has to move to Willow Run Missouri, because her brother is fighting in war, so there family doesn't have as much money as they used to. Meggies dad has to work in a factory that makes B-42 Bombers for the war. Meggie is very emotional and she is very brave. Meggie has to face many obstacles in this book. Meggie is very truthful and is always writing to home and writing down her thoughts. She handles her situation very well and she acts very strong.

I definitely recommend this book and its companion, Lilly's Crossing. to kids ages nine to twelve. This book is definitely a page turner. Every time I put it down it was like I was stopping the story and the characters were just waiting for me to pick the book up again so they could continue their story. This book will also interest people who like history. It gave me a good impression of what it was like in that time during World War Two. I felt like I was in the story with Meggie. Does Eddie ever come back? Does Meggie remember his face? You find out what happens....

The year is 1944 when Margaret "Meggie" Dillon leaves her grandfather and her best friend Lily behind in Rockaway, New York and moves to Willow Run, Michigan, so her father can work at a factory building airplanes. Her older brother Eddie is fighting the war in Europe and Meggie misses him terribly. To make matters worse, her new house looks like a long box with few windows and no grass or trees in the yard. Her home in Rockaway had been near the sea; she used to hear the call of seagulls and breathe in the fresh, salty air. All she has to remind her of home are a few seeds from her grandfather's vegetable garden.

Slowly Meggie begins to make friends and rebuild her life. She meets Patches and Harlan, along with other kids who are in a similar situation. Their parents brought them to Willow Run so they could find better work in a factory building war planes. Meggie knows that this arrangement is not permanent because everyone keeps telling her that it is just for the duration.

Patricia Reilly Giff fills the book with vivid details that keep the reader anchored in time. Meggie is always entering wartime jingle writing contests and watching war newsreels at the movie theater.

Giff, a former reading teacher, is the author of many books for children, and several of her novels for young adults were named ALA Notable Books and ALA Best Books, including THE GIFT OF THE PIRATE KING, ALL THE WAY HOME, and NORY RYAN'S SONG.

Meggie Dillon lived during uncertain times, just like many young people today. Readers will learn about the power of friendship and hope to pull us through difficult times when they pick up a copy of WILLOW RUN.

--- Reviewed by Renee Kirchner [...]

Having particpated in some of Linda McLyman's leadership sessions, I was excited to read her new book. Linda presents 8 fundamental behaviors that underlie wise leadership.

Wise Leadership is simply written, yet it is to the point presenting the values and actions that comprise each leadership behavior. I find the discussions and examples are real and powerful insights into evolved leadership.

I now carry with me the 8 fundamental behaviors as a reminder of my personal goals to ehance my leadership style. I have this book sitting on my desk as an easy reference guide when I feel the need for some leadership inspiration! This is a book that I practice and am sharing with my peers and employees.

Wise Leadership is a must read for anyone in a leadership position or who aspires to be a leader. This book is a very easy read, filled with great thoughts and ideas, some of which may stop you dead in your tracks! This isn't the "same old, same old." This isn't just about leadership, it's about "wise" leadership!

Linda McLyman's Wise Leadership reflects her deep commitment to both the practical side of leadership and the emotional/spiritual aspects of the issue. Her voice is authentic, compassionate and no-nonsense, reflecting her vast experience and knowledge. I loved this book for its willingness to be useful, thought-provoking and inspirational. I read it at one sitting and I have picked it up since to re-read and re-consider.

Norman Silber's With All Deliberate Speed is a highly entertaining and informative presentation of Philip Elman's oral memoir. Silber's commentary, which he appends to the end of each chapter includes background material that is especially useful for readers who have only passing acquaintance with the dramatic doings of the Supreme Court during the 1940s, `50s and `60s, including brief summaries and citations of cases Elman refers to, as well as bibliographical material. The high-point of the book is Elman's recounting of his close relationship-perhaps improper ex parte relationship-with Felix Frankfurter and with his and their role in bringing about the inclusion of the phrase "with all deliberate speed" in Brown v. Board of Education. The beginning few chapters consist of Ellman's telling of his time at City College of New York and then at Harvard Law School, at which he first met Frankfurter. In the middle chapters, he recalls his two years as Frankfurter's clerk and his seventeen years in the Solicitor General's office, during which time he retained his intimate close relationship with Frankfurter. Elman's apparent comfort with Frankfurter's thinking of him as "his lifetime law clerk" is perhaps the most revealing mark of his character. The last few chapters recount Elman's work as an often dissident member of the Federal Trade Commission.
Much of the material concerning the Brown-case has already been published by Silber (and Elman) in the Harvard Law Review (100) 1987, 817-52. The current book, however, has the advantage of including Elman's discussion of the criticism of both Elman and Frankurter that arose as a result of that publication, especially concerning the propriety of Elman's substantive discussion of the case with Frankfurter, as well as of his belittling of the case presented by Thurgood Marhall.
It was through his frequent conversations with Frankfurter that Elman came to believe that the case could not be won without including in some fashion a proviso that would give the states time to prepare for integrated schools. Such a proviso, of course, is highly unusual. Those deprived of their constitutional rights are entitled to immediate relief. Moreover, as might well have been expected, the result of including such a proviso was lengthy delay and prolonged social turmoil. It is a humbling dilemma, and this reader deeply appreciates the opportunity to consider the thinking that led some of the key players to their decision.

While this fascinating book covers a number of interesting topics -- whether it be Harvard Law School in the 1930's; clerking for Felix Frankfurter; a long and distinguished tenure in the Solicitor General's office; or service as an activist FTC Commissioner -- probably the most significant issue is the relationship between Philip Elman and Justice Frankfurter during the Supreme Court's consideration of the Brown case. In 1987, when Harvard Law Review published excerpts from the oral history interviews upon which the book draws, quite a storm of controversy arose over ex parte contacts between Elman (then in the SG's office) and the Justice. Elman always defended himself as Frankfurter's "law clerk for life" and argued that the contacts occurred before the government knew it would enter the case. Others, such as Professors Randall Kennedy and Andrew Kaufman, were highly critical. Whether or not such contact was inappropriate, the book offers an invaluable insight into the hammering out of Brown. A helpful "Afterword" discusses the controversy. The editor's outstanding and extensive notes add a great deal to the significant contributions of this volume.

If you don't know who Philip Elman is, don't let that deter you. This is a fascinating book.

Elman, as it turns out--and as the cover photo suggests--was present for some of the greatest moments in mid-20th century American history. After clerking for Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter--one of the greatest legal minds ever to sit on the court--Elman became a government attorney. He first worked on the denazification effort in Germany after WWII, then became a key player in many of the earliest civil rights cases of the 1940s and '50s. It was then that he helped determine history with his work on Brown vs. Board of Education, writing the government brief that first devised the notion of gradual desegregation. This was a very controversial position. Elman claims that proposing a gradualist solution was the only way to get the Court to decide in favor of desegregation. Others (including well-known scholars such as Randall Kennedy) have vigorously objected to this claim, insisting that gradualism sold out an entire generation of young black people, who were left with a handshake and a promise.

Elman went on from the solicitor general's office to become a commissioner of the FTC, where he pioneered the consumer protection movement (he helped devise the now-famous health warning on cigarette packs). But the Brown material is really the heart of his story, and the moment at which, for good or ill, Philip Elman helped to shape the future of American liberalism and civil rights.

This book is well-written, even funny at times, is well-documented without seeming academic, and makes for an enjoyable and fascinating read. I wish they had titled it in a way that made the subject's importance more clear, but this is really a minor quibble.

It's surprising to see how actual the architecture in Mexico is nowadays.

Excellent, Norten is really building a new trend in architecture: the creation of spaces full of pleasure: light, functionality, metal and glass combined to greatness.

It's surprising to see how actual the architecture in Mexico is nowadays.

This book contains 1000 Grammar Tests that are easily reproduced for classroom use. These tests follow the sequence given in the authors series of Clear Grammar books but can easily be adapted to any lessons given on grammar. Each chapter has tests on a particular grammar point and at least two types of tests. (Multiple choice, fill in the blanks, sentence writing etc) This book and his series are designed for the beginner and intermediate ESL student but can easily be used in any school setting. Tests follow the same chapter sequence as the Clear Grammar Series but you can also look up tests by the grammar point you wish to test. This book does not teach any grammar points, it is simply a book of tests to help the teacher evaluate and re-inforce the information taught.

I teach adult male inmates in a maximum security prison, and besides ESL students, we have a number of very low level GED students, too. It is hard to find materials that are actually reproducible, so I jumped at this book when I found it listed on Amazon. I have used it about three weeks now. It has been an excellent addition to my class materials.

I was so pleased to get this book so quickly. I had looked other places for it to see if I could beat the price as it is a required text for one of my classes. The seller was great in communicating with me and delivered the product in the condition it was promised.

Back in 1970, wading through a mire of academic prose in graduate school, I was dazzled by my discovery of Nancy Milio's new book, "9226 Kercheval." Not only was the author a nurse (like me), she was working in the community (like me). Better still, she wasn't pontificating or theorizing. In her own voice, she told the story of how she worked with residents of a restless, inner-city neighborhood just coming to grips with the potential of black power, to start a health center for women and children. It was hard slogging, but worth it in the end. I never would have guessed that, ten years later, I'd be engaged in a similar undertaking, albeit in very different circumstances--and writing about it. A couple of years ago, I begged a friend for her precious copy of the original hardback edition and reread it. It still elicited a "Wow!" Now I've got my own copy. I hope all of you reading this will consider doing the same.