Michigan Books

Yip Harburg, the prodigiously talented lyricist best known for "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime" and "Over the Rainbow", is the subject of this splendid biography. Harburg's gifts were uniquely his, but this book shows us how his (financially, but not spiritually) impoverished father cultivated Harburg's talents by taking him regularly to the Yiddish theater on the Lower East Side and reading funny stories to him in the evening. Harburg's insights into the elements of creative writing-- a sense of passion, an eye for paradox, an intelligent plan, e.t.c.-- are recounted in loving detail. Whether you read this book for insight into this wonderful man's heart, or his craft, you will be richly rewarded.

Yip Harburg, the prodigiously talented lyricist best known for "Brother Can You Spare a Dime," and "Over the Rainbow", is the subject of this splendid biography. Harburg's gifts were uniquely his, but this book shows us how his (financially but not spiritually) impoverished father cultivate Harburg's talents by taking him regularly to the Yiddish theater on the Lower East Side and reading funny stories to him in the evening. Harburg's insights into the elements of creative writing -- a sense of passion, an eye for paradox, an intelligent plan, etc-- are recounted in loving detail. Whether you read this book for insight into this wonderful man's heart, or his craft, you will be richly rewarded.

This was a wonderful little book and like many other Japanese novels such as Junichiro Tanizaki's The Makioka Sisters very litle seems to actually happen. The thing it alot does happen One just has to search for the happenings in the elegent words of Mori Ogai. At first it seems that the main character of the book is the Narrator's best friend Okada who is a wel liked medical student. we soon learn that Okada has been noticed by and is noticing a beautiful woman named Otama who is in fact a mistress of Suezo a money lender. The main character, however, seems to be Otama. We see her gpoo through evert day trying to figure out how to talk the man she loves. It is pretty much that simple, but the reader is deeply affected by this book. I know I was, and i'll never eat makerel boiled in miso

One small incident CAN be made into an entire novel, as Ogai Mori shows us here. The actual action in The Wild Goose is quite small, even insignificant. But the way Ogai informs us of every thought of every character more than makes up for it. What I found to be truly compelling was the point of view -- the narrator is the best friend of Okada, one of the main characters. Just when it appears that the narrator knows way too much about what Otama (the girl) was thinking, he goes and leaves us with a mystery at the end that brings about what I thought was excellent closure. I would say that the main theme of this novel is "zero reciprocity" -- those of the characters who are in love are never truly loved back, like Otama, who silently longs for Okada, or even Suezo, the man who has taken Otama for his mistress. In this novel, people lie, people cheat, people hide the truth. And people never say what they truly feel. Just like real life. An excellent story.

In Women, Revolution, And The Novels Of The 1790s, Linda Lang-Peralta draws upon the scholarly contributions of Barbara M. Benedict, Katherine Binhammer, Catherine H. Decker, Carl Fisher, Shawn Lisa Maurer, Clara D. McLean, Glynis Ridley, and Eleanor Ty in a collection of essays focusing on sub-genres of the novel form that evolved during the end of the 18th century. These were novels (frequently written by women) that reflected the intersections between literature and popular culture. Using representative readings of theses works and current academic thinking on gender and class, the contributors offer a new and challenging perspective on the novels of the 1790s. Women, Revolution, And The Novels Of The 1790s is highly recommended reading for students of women's literature, women's studies, and the influence of literature upon popular culture.

Lang-Peralta points out that novels of the 1790s have extravagant and marvelous shapes. Many of these novels are only now being treated to scholarly editions (and expanded readership). The contributors to this collection support the broad goal of understanding the political and polemical dimensions of the novels of the period by reading them as cultural documents and approaching them armed with the theories of Bakhtin, Althasser, Foucalt, Bourdieu, et al. Especially strong are Catherine Decker's treatment of women and public space--which decodes seven ideological positions to realign understanding of the legal, moral, and social contexts of women in fiction--and Barbara Benedict's "Radcliffe, Godwin, and Self-Possession in the 1790's"--a fascinating analysis of curiosity and identity in The Mysteries of Udolpho and Caleb Williams. Carl Fisher and Glynis Ridley also analyze Caleb Williams, focusing on power relations in the novel's justice/injustice drama. Katherine Binhammer shows how Charlotte Smith underscored the public and private divide of sexuality and politics in Desmond. Clara McLean provides an ingenious analysis of the act of reading as emblematic of the unknown. And Eleanor Ty (author of Unsex'd Revolutionaries, CH. Mar '94) provides a moving reading of Mary May's The Victim of Prejudice. A substantive, innovative collection for upper-division undergraduates and above. -- Virginia Commonwealth University

William Stafford has a way of writing that makes you feel like a welcome guest in his house. Here he talks in prosaic passages about what is important in writing, how to inspire your own writing, together with examples of his own work.

Reading this book is much like reading Stafford's poetry. The tone is relaxed but captivating, and he makes the task of writing well seem effortless. This book, together with "You Must Revise Your Life," is a fantastic read for writers of any level or ability.

This book of Stafford's essays ranks next to those books -like "The Rescued Year," "Someday, Maybe" or "Oregon Message"- containing his best poems. Here, Stafford muses in his quiet tone and with unassuming wisdom about the essence of writing and teaching poetry.

As he says, "A writer is not so much someone who has something to say as he is someone who has found a process that will bring about new things he would not have thought of if he had not started to say them."

This declaration alone, at a time where postmodern self-congratulation is so often confused for deep thinking, has nurtured my writing and reading of poetry more than any of the many books I read about the poetic craft.

This book is more than a collection by a poet speaking of what he's dedicated his life to, it is a treatise on how to live one's life. This is not something I'd say about many works, yet here is stunnigly clear.

Replace the word "writing" for "life," and you decide ...

"When I write, I like to have an interval before me when I am not likely to be interrupted. For me, this means usually the early morning, before others awake. I get a pen and paper, take a glance out of the window (often it is dark out there), and wait. It is like fishing. But I do not wait very long, for there is always a nibble--and this is where receptivity comes in. To get started I will accept anything that occurs to me. Something always occurs, of course, to any of us. We can't keep from thinking. Maybe I have to settle for an immediate impression: it's cold, or hot, or dark, or bright, or in between! Or--well, the possibilities are endless. If I put down something, that thing will help the next thing come, and I'm off. If I let the process go on, things will occur to me that were not at all in mind when I started. These things, odd or trivial as they may be, are somehow connected. And if I let them string out, surprising things will happen."

I recommend it to budding poets, those whose writing is growing tired, or anyone trying to make sense of being in this world. People like me perhaps, hoping for some guidance who -as Nietzsche wrote- earnestly endeavour to "becoming who you already are."

This book was so inspiring to me when I read it. It gave me the hope that doctors like Dr. Chang are out there. He's the best ever. Susan is also cool. If I have any problems, I'll think of Susan and Dr. Chang and how inspiring they are to me.

Susan's book is a testiment to the incredible transformation that can occur when we blend medical practice with our own bodies' wisdom. Watching as the strengthening in spirit and body unfolded, Susan's year of miracles was amazing. Reading this I felt I shared with Susan in the indecisions and the faith that was continually being tested during her year of miracles. Such a powerful read. . . . this is a must for anyone who has doubts about how our spirit is such an integral part of our human experience. I am so honored to have come across this story. Thank you for sharing it us.

Next, speaking of books, is a few words about "Yrs. Ever Affly", the correspondence of Edith Wharton and Louis Bromfield, edited by Daniel Bratton. Shirl had told me that Danny was in the process of publishing this book, so when it came out I sent for a copy, and it has become a prized possession. Wharton has longtime been a favorite of mine, and I have read and liked some Bromfield, but his later novels leave something to be desired!

But the two, Wharton and Bromfield, shared a friendship when they lived in Europe, and much of their interests were about their wonderful gardens. Their letters touch on their writings and the fame they have achieved, (she asks for advice and he gives it) but you need to love gardening to really appreciate the book. The format is such a pleasure. The paper, the type and the many illustrations and drawings are joy. A special treat for me, was the reprint of the tribute to Wharton, written by Bromfield. The writing is superb, and I forgave him (Bromfield) all the stuff he later wrote to try to keep Malabar solvent.

Best of all is that this fine book was edited (from much research) by Shirl and Dave's boy. I feel like a proud great aunt to someone I've never seen.

Toward the end of her life, Edith Wharton, author of Ethan Frome, The Age of Innocence, The Buccaneers, held a close and personal friendship with author Louis Bromfield, author of Early Autumn, The Farm, and The Rains Came, while at the peak of his literary career. Despite the disparity of age and background (Bromfield was 34 years Wharton's junior), they became "pen pals" and intellectual intimates. Yrs., Ever Affly is a collection of their correspondence between 1931 and 1937, the year of Wharton's death. We read of Wharton and Bromfield's mutual devotion to horticultural pursuits, their observations of the social/political milieu of American and France during the 1930s, literary gossip of their day, the publishing climate of the Depression era, and a shared love of travel and literature. These 32 letters, one postcard, and a note from Wharton's secretary to Bromfield's wife, provide an intimate insight into the private worlds of two distinguished writers. Yrs., Ever Affly is "must" reading for students of the writings of Edith Wharton, Louis Bromfield, and the literary, intellectual, and publishing climate of the 1930s.

101 Clear Grammar Tests is an awsome book full of excellent (and varied) grammar excercises for students of all levels. It keeps students on their toes with the different types of exercises.

Beautiful product, excellent print quality (even printed on recycled paper--bonus!). Got it for my boy, a Michigan man, and he LOVES it.

21st Century Logistics: Making Supply Chain Integration A Reality is a book written specifically for managers who face the challenge of developing corporate competitiveness in the coming decade through the power of supply chain management. 21st Century Logistics presents a framework to help you recognize and overcome the common obstacles that undermine both internal and external integration of value-added logistical operations. This integration is essential to provide maximum value to end-customers.

Although 21st Century Logistics is based on empirical research, it is presented as a story, a very readable narrative that interprets the research findings in a way that provides managers with insight into how the discipline of logistics contributes to supply chain effectiveness. The research:

Reconfirms the capabilities and competencies that engender superior logistics and extends them into a more comprehensive structure.
Substantiates that leading logistical practice generalizes across industries, along the supply chain, and across cultural boundaries.
Provides additional insight into how best logistical practice relates to superior financial achievement.
Extends and updates the assessment diagnostic and the related benchmark previously introduced in World Class Logistics to assist managers who are implementing continuous and meaningful improvement in both internal and cross enterprise integrative management.
It is important to clarify that this is not a book about the characteristics of logistics work. Many excellent texts listed as reference materials are available which explore such specific knowledge. This research-based book focuses on why the work of logistics is fundamental to supply chain success. Its most important contribution is an updated and more comprehensive framework for achieving effective logistics change management.

To facilitate interest and ease of reading, 21st Century Logistics uses a continuing dialogue of Charlie Change and his hypothetical firm, Spartan Enterprises, to help describe each area of supply chain integration. The case dialogue follows Charlie from chapter to chapter as he and an integrated change management team first identify performance improvement areas, create action plans, and then suggest strategies to more effectively achieve integrative management. Presented in this manner, the Charlie Change dialogue illustrates for the reader how logistical performance can most often be significantly improved. The researchers provide many examples to illustrate a specific point or practice. They have refrained from naming specific companies in order to retain confidentiality and avoid what might otherwise appear to be partiality. For most best practice examples, a variety of different firms could have been specified.

Enclosed with the book is a compact disk which contains an assessment diagnostic and comparative benchmark data. The book provides complete instructions concerning use of the compact disk.

Five Years Of 4th Genre is a 352-page collection of creative nonfiction works, following the 1999 publication of "Fourth Genre: Explorations in Creative Nonfiction," an impressive effort to showcase innovation and creativity in writers of nonfiction. Selections of essays are chosen from five years of award-winning essays and memoirs, also examples of literary journalism and meditations and even personal criticisms. The co-editors of the original "Fourth Genre" journal , Michael Steinberg and David Cooper, were seeking examples that were described as original and unique, even whimsical. Having piled up five years of awards, Martha Bates (Acquisitions Editor at Michigan State University Press and a veteran of the publishing industry) has accomplished the task of choosing some of the best and most creative of these works. Consequently, the twenty-five essays comprising Five Years Of 4th Genre read very quickly, with many an intense bite or surprise twist. It is a gripping set of reality frameworks from which life truths peep through frequently in many a frivolous disguise. Needless to say, even though Five Years Of 4th Genre contains a wealth of worthwhile and genuine literary criticism, it is a fun and easy read. Beware of those surprise twists -- they can take the reader to unexpected destinations. It is always a treat to have such masterful writing to feast on, even at the rate of one chapter or page at a time. Five Years Of 4th Genre is suitable for writing education classes/resources as well as academic library reference collections.