Michigan Books

This book is awesome not just for its deer info and hunting tactics but the incredible breakdown of Michigan's whitetail habitat by county and township. This book has saved me alot of time when scouting new areas. I recommend this book to anyone who plans on hunting whitetails especially in Michigan.

Robert Lewis Dabney was many things: a theologian, a professor, chief of staff of Thomas Jonathan Jackson, and most important of all the Virginian. Dabney resisted the effort to turn Virginia into a part of the Southern Confederacy, but once that happened he, like his boss Stonewall, became a staunch supporter of the Virginia's right to secede. This highly esteemed clergyman is regarded by some as the greatest mind to come out of Confederacy and this puts him on the same footing with men like Judah Benjamin. Dabney's Defence was published in 1867 at the two years since the war had not robbed them of any of his vigor in defending his state. The layout of the work follows the usual pattern: American slave trade, the legality of slavery, the history of emancipation, the Old Testament argument, the New Testament argument, the ethical argument, the economic effect of slavery, and the conclusion. I don't see the need in this review the code cover all of these topics in any kind of depth, but the author will speak for himself.

His introduction addresses the future historians view of this horrible conflict.
"To the rational historian who, two hundred years hence, shall study the history of the nineteenth century, it will appear one of the most curious vagaries of human opinion, that the Christianity and philanthropy of our day should have given so disproportionate an attention to the evils of African slavery. Such a dispassionate observer will perceive that, while many other gigantic evils were rampant in this age, there prevailed a sort of epidemic fashion of selecting this one upon which to exhaust the virtuous indignation and sympathies of the professed friends of human amelioration. And he will probably see in this a proof that the Christianity and benevolence of the nineteenth century were not so superior, in wisdom and breadth, to those of the seventeenth and eighteenth, as the busy actors in them had persuaded themselves; but were, in fact, conceited, overweening, and fantastic."

Professor Dabney gives the usual Old Testament justification of slavery, the Mosaic law, the curse of Ham, etc., but it's more to the point to look at the New Testament arguments for and against slavery.

In this Dabney sites and criticizes the abolitionists theologians of his day particularly picking on Albert Barnes.
"Mr. Barnes alone says, it is not proved that Onesimus was a literal slave at all: he may have been a hired servant or apprentice. Here, as will appear more fully, he expressly contradicts himself. But as to the assumption, we reply, that Onesimus is called, v. 16, doulos, a name never given to the hired servant: that he is sent back to his rightful owner, a thing which necessarily implies his slavery: that St. Paul intercedes for him; and that he recognizes his master's property in his labour. The whole company of expositors, ancient and modern, until Mr. Barnes, have declared that Onesimus was Philemon's slave."
Like all proslavery proponents Dabney spends a great deal of effort proving his contention that the Greek doulos is only used for slaves as "domestic slavery" was practiced in the South.

He moves onto an interesting discussion of what the Golden Rule really means:
"But as leading Abolitionists continue to advance the oft-torn and tattered folly, the friends of truth must continue to tear it to shreds. The whole reasoning of the Abolitionists proceeds on the absurd idea, that any caprice or vain desire we might entertain towards our fellowman, if we were in his place, and he in ours, must be the rule of our conduct towards him, whether the desire would be in itself right or not. This absurdity has been illustrated by a thousand instances. On this rule, a parent who, were he a child again, would be wayward and self-indulgent, commits a clear sin in restraining or punishing the waywardness of his child, for this is doing the opposite of what he would wish were he again the child. Judge and sheriff commit a criminal murder in condemning and executing the most atrocious felon; for were they on the gallows themselves, the overmastering love of life would very surely prompt them to desire release. In a word, whatever ill-regulated desire we are conscious of having, or of being likely to have, in reversed circumstances, that desire we are bound to make the rule of our action in granting the parallel caprice of any other man, be he bore, beggar, highwayman, or what not. On this understanding, the Golden Rule would become any thing but golden; it would be a rule of iniquity. . ."
this is the typical absurdity to which such discussions are brought by the proslavery faction.


In his economic defense of slavery Dabney follows another Virginian, Edmund Ruffin, when he states:
"Taking mankind as they are, and not as we may desire them to be, domestic slavery offered the best relation which has yet been found, between labour and capital. It is not asserted that it would be best for a Utopia, where we night imagine the humblest citizen virtuous, intelligent, and provident. But there are no such societies on earth."


Dabney also echoes Ruffin in his conclusion to this work:
"A righteous God, for our sins towards Him, has permitted us to be overthrown by our enemies and His. It is vain to complain in the ear of a maddening tempest. Although our people are now oppressed with present sufferings and a prospective destiny more cruel and disastrous than has been visited on any civilized people of modern ages, they suffer silently, disdaining to complain, and only raising to the chastening heavens, the cry, "How long, 0 Lord?" Their appeal is to history, and to Him. They well know, that in due time, they, although powerless themselves, will be avenged through the same disorganizing heresies under which they now suffer, and through the anarchy and woes which they will bring upon the North. Meantime, let the arrogant and successful wrongdoers flout our defence with disdain: we will meet them with it again, when it will be heard; in the day of their calamity, in the pages of impartial history, and in the Day of Judgment."

The author is to be highly congratulated for putting together this excellent biography. Obviously, this was a labor of love. The author did far reaching original research thru personal interviews and other sources. The effort paid off. The book traces Lee from high school in Philadelphia where at about age 13 he started learning the vibes. Before long he moved to the trumpet. And he was a very quick learner. He played around locally and by age 17 or 18 was a soloist in Dizzy Gillespie's big band. He became a participant in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Being featured in groups that had Hank Mobley and Bobby Timmons as well as Wayne Shorter and Walter Davis,Jr. The Jazz Messengers of the late 1950's and early 1960's were tremendously exciting. Lee led the way with his fiery,exuberant,unique style.He could be counted on to regularly play his best night after night until his drug use took over and his lip began to deteriorate due to lack of continued practice. There seems to be a consensus among some critics and musicians that Lee wanted to grow into something else musically. Perhaps. But, personally I will always cherish his days as a Jazz Messenger. His unique exciting, powerful, facility were virtually incomparable.The author discusses many of Lee's albums and his life right up till that terrible night at Slug's in February 1972 at 243 E. 3rd St. By the way, Tom Lord's authoritative discography lists 188 sessions that Lee participated in. Reading this book makes you feel almost as though you were there for key parts of Lee's life. Tremendous effort by the author

This excellent review of the process of democritization holds significant parallels with and implications for current events. The author captures concisely and eloquently the role of the international community while holding one's interest with specific examples.

When reading of the locations Dennis goes to you feel you were in the back seat with him. He gives very vivid detail of exact places.
One place he reviewed was Manistee Michigan the Victorian Port City. the Milwaukee House was owned by Great Grandfather and Grandfather Diefenbach and we know the information was factual and interestingly portrayed.
There are many such articles that make you want to go to these byways he deplicts.

The Detroit City Map is a patchwork quilt of exciting communities (mostly poor ones). I would highly recommend visiting the map's Eastern Market for a fine selection of regionally harvested goods. The map is also known for its fine opera house, affectionately dubbed "Motown" by the locals.

You will never find a more reasonably priced vacation than this map. Perhaps the only confusing aspect is that so many of the neighborhoods are labeled "Cracktown," although each has its own distinct and terrifying sense of place.

The heart of a great museum is its permanent collection, and The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is proud to claim one of the largest, most significant art collections in the nation. Since childhood, I've spent many a pleasant hour in the museum (mainly in the Ancient Art and Islamic Art wing surrounding the Rivera Court), and also collaborated with the DIA and Wayne State University on a computer/art project that became my Master's Thesis. This guidebook highlights over 700 of the more than 65,000 works of art from all areas of the DIA. It was written by the museum's curatorial staff and edited by Julia P. Henshaw, who is the DIA Director of Publications.

This beautifully-bound, well-organized, hardcover guide is illustrated with over 800 color images. It begins with directions on how to use the book, a historical time-line of how the museum came into being (lots of bequests from the Fords, Dodges, Firestones and other prominent Detroiters), and a colored layout of the museum building. Information on how to get to the DIA, where to park, classes and lectures, shops, tours, and volunteer opportunities is also included.

The main sections of this guide highlight the permanent collections. They are: "African, Oceanic, and New World Art;" "Ancient Art and Islamic Art;" "Asian Art;" "European Art;" "Graphic Arts;" "Twentieth-Century Art;" and "Film and Video."

Each section tells many well-illustrated stories. For instance, under "African, Oceanic, and New World Art" there is an article, "Men Who Dance as Women:"

"In initiation ceremonies female masks used in traditional African cultures are almost always worn by men who portray the important mythological role of females. Most of these male initiation societies are secret; women are strictly forbidden to handle or even see the wearers of these masks."

The introduction is followed by illustrations of masks from the Chokwe, Mende, and Makonde tribes with text illuminating the history, construction, and use of each mask.

All of the DIA's major works of art are included, from Rivera's "Detroit Industry" fresco cycle to the Matisse "Poppies" painting.

This book is not only a guide to a particular museum, it also can be read like an issue of the "Smithsonian" Magazine, where experts select and describe some of their favorite works of art. I've been to many museums both here and in Europe, and this DIA guide is one of the best I've ever had the opportunity to use.

Steve Addy's look back at the history of the Detroit Pistons is sure to warm the heart of any true Pistons fan. It contains a multiplicity of photos, anecdotes and history sure to interest anyone who loves professional basketball. Addy's writing style has a unique rhythm, not unlike that of a basketball dribbling. It borders on poetry.

This book belongs on the shelf of every Detroit Tigers fan. Tom Stanton, who wrote the superb Tiger Stadium memoir The Final Season, did a fine job selecting stories on legends like Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, and The Bird. What I liked best is that the stories were from the time period -- not written decades later by journalists who never saw the men play. There are articles by Grantland Rice, Damon Runyon, and other famous scribes, but some of my favorites are by writers I never heard of. This is a fun read. On these pages, at least, the Tigers once again contend and even play in the World Series.

I have three books in this series. As a history buff and amateur genealogist, these have given me an insight to Detroit's past as well as some family members who were also described. The scope is somewhat limited as it must be as ALL graves cannot be covered. Nonetheless, it is a good investment to get a small glimpse into the past.