Michigan Books

I liked this book and will be using it this coming school year with my 5th grade students. It is an excellent book that focuses on self esteem, persistence, and acceptance of others with handicaps. However, it appears to be confusing for the fifth grade reading level. The advanced vocabulary and lack of flow because of the use of letters within the text makes me believe the reading level is probably at about eighth grade (12-14 years old). For younger students, it could be used with the teacher reading it to the students.

How fascinating this is -- a collection of Buddhist poems by a Japanese Shinto priestess. In the year 975 at the age of 12, Princess Senshi was named high priestess of the Kamo Shrine and continued on in that role for 57 years. She also established a salon of highly creative women who were contemporaries of such well-known women writers as the poet Izumi Shikibu and Lady Murasaki, author of the Tale of Genji.

Although a priestess in the Shinto faith, Senshi clearly had developed a deep appreciation and understanding of Buddhist precepts. But what makes this book by Edward Kamens so interesting, is the struggle we see Senshi fighting through in regard to the sexism she meets in various Buddhist scriptures, for instance, the idea that a woman must somehow become a man before she can achieve enlightenment. These sorts of inequalities were not strictures she knew in her native, earth-based Shinto spirituality, and I believe that Senshi realized that Japan would move more and more toward a masculinist spriituality under the influence of Buddhism.

A profound and fascinating study by Kamens, with some outstanding and compassionate Buddhist waka poetry by Princess Senshi. Highly recommended.

A great book of a family's life journey living in a FLW house. The highs and lows and the pride in owning a unique piece of history designed by the master builder of pride filled livable homes. A relaxing read for anyone and especially students of FLW history.

"This material is the most accurate information on Saginaw history that has been printed. These books will be excellent resource information for generations to come."

"I can't tell you which chapter I've enjoyed most. The text and pictures are so well synchronized. Your research and presentation of it is greatly appreciated."

"I can hardly put the book down! What a pleasure--an interesting book that brings back many memories of stories when I was growing up in beautiful Saginaw."

This book is very helpful when looking for host plants in Michigan.

This was an impulse purchase, but I am very pleased with this guide to butterflies. Great photos make identification easy and I love that every entry provides information about lifecycle and host plants.
If you live in the North Central U.S. and enjoy butterflies I highly recommend this book!

This book, originally written in 1944, is a true insight into the life of natives of the Upper Peninsula. Martin wrote these stories based on real interviews with the characters of this wild and untamed land. And through the stories one gets a unique perspective on not only the depth with which folks loved this place, but also the various ways in which this land was exploited for its timber, iron ore, and copper. It was in many ways the treasures that this land held that shaped its evolution. And after these treasures were depleted, the true value of the Upper Peninsula was discovered: its pristine and unchanged beauty, and its unique ecosystem, wildlife, and human inhabitants. Folks who stayed and never left, and folks who came and never left, all recognized what a sanctuary existed here. Somehow time has not yet changed the majority of this wonderful place called North Country.

Written by history scholar Patricia Averill, Cameron: Family, Technology and Religion in a Rust Belt Town as Seen by Averills, Nasons, McCormicks, and Others Who Passed Through is the true story of a Michigan town that originated in the 1820's, enjoyed the leisurely procession of a traditional local history common to Midwestern towns up through the 1950's, then endured a catastrophic decline when its industrial economy soured. Cameron traces both plant closings and members of the class of 1962 as they responded to changes within the town as well as elsewhere in the country. Blending the meticulous accuracy of a historical research project with the pacing of a novel, Cameron is absorbing to read in its own right yet also a superb microcosm and portrait of the hardships of economic blight, as well as racial, ethnic, and religious tensions. A heartbreaking yet indispensable case study of those who suffered from America's deindustrialization.

It's for specialists, but it's written so well that non-specialists will be able to enjoy it. Also has helped grad students see how to write about lyric poetry and translation.

The Carolingian Chronicles by Scholz covers Carolingian history from 741-843. The RFA (Royal Frankish Annals) cover the period from 741-829 and Nithard's Histories cover from 820s-843. The Carolingian 'Renaissance' of the early 9th century and late 8th inspired and promoted the writing of history. Charlemagne ordered the preservation of his laws, papal letters, Byzantine letters, and fostered the writing of chronicles of which the RFA might have been a result of his influence. This is apparent since no one who was not close to the Emperor could give such detailed information leading many historians to suspect an official compilation. The RFA, however, has an agenda. Its purpose was to influence public opinion and to convey to future generations the Carolingian version of their history. Also, RFA has multiple authors and stylistically shifts. Confusion arises since many manuscripts discovered of the chronicle have revisions where the disasters of Charlemagne's reign, which other versions omit, are added (the debacle at Rocesvalles that inspired the Song of Roland for example) but the introduction does an excellent job explaining reasons. The earliest portion of the RFA's history was compiled from older annals and the continuations of Fredegar but after that point the annals are of contemporary events. The editor puts all the confusion of authorship, perspective, stylistic shifts, and historical summary into a very readable and revealing introduction that greatly assists in comprehension of the time period. However, this source is a Chronicle and not a History of the time, and for the most part is content stating facts without conclusions or explanations of cause.

Nithard's Histories are the most important source for the wars amongst the sons of Louis the Pious (Charlemagne's son). For some periods of time after Louis's death this is the ONLY source existent. Nithard, a grandson of Charlemagne, attached himself to the Emperor Louis's son Charles as his official historian. As a result the Chronicle records the wars from Charles's and a Western Francia point of view and advocate the theme that he is to prove that his way of interpretation is correct. However, the amount of information surpasses all contemporary sources. Nithard's source is unique also in respect to the fact that he is not a cleric (as well has the more famous historian of Charlemagne, Einhard).

What stands out in this volume is Scholz's astounding introduction that provides a wonderful background to the time and detailed information about the chroniclers and their chronicles.