Wisconsin Books

I was surprised to learn how much Wisconsin has to offer. Everything from outdoor sports and recreation to antiques, chocolate, festivals, and so much more. Organized as a guidebook to facilitate easy reference, with a comprehensive index and chapter by chapter lists of names and phone numbers, Country Towns of Wisconsin, in addition to being informative, has the engaging readability of a novel. Avoiding the dry, pedantic nature of some travel guides, Ann Hattes's writing style is reminiscent of a conversation with a good friend as she invites the reader along on her journey. Historical anecdotes and modern-day perspectives intertwine to provide a reading and travel experience as unique and delightful as the people and places of Wisconsin themselves. This book will appeal to travelers and Wisconsin residents alike... as well as those just looking for a sampling of Americana.

COUNTRY TOWNS OF WISCONSIN: Charming Small Towns and Villages to Explore By Ann Hattes Reviewed by Marty Martindale, Largo, FL Hattes, a Wisconsin resident, still feels the state is full of surprises. With the towns she has chosen for the book, she makes each seem a bit like a trip to another land, and in some cases, it almost is. This is not a guidebook in the traditional sense with lots of restaurants, B & B's emboldened in most every paragraph. Instead, Hattes uses her gift to blend history with the curious. This is not to say she neglects information on some of Wisconsin's fascinating annual fairs, events, celebrations and their origins. Each destination chapter ends with phone numbers for "Places to See, Eat and Stay." The book is well indexed. Her opening chapter concerns the town of Spring Green where Frank Lloyd Wright was a large presence. She describes places a visitor would want to see and how he was invited to get involved in each project. We gain a little insight into his personal life, as well. The rails and trails of Elroy and Reedsburg, also Norman Rockwell territory, share another chapter. You'll learn Bicycling magazine ranked this area's bike trails in the top three in the nation. One of Rockwell's museums is in Reedsburg where all of his magazine covers from Saturday Evening Post, Literary Digest, Country Gentlemen and Life magazine covers are on display. Hattes' Lake Geneva and Delavan chapter, subtitled, Playboy Bunnies and Circus Capital, is a great glimpse into the history of this resort area. In the following chapter, she captures the flavor of Wisconsin's Road America area of Elkhart Lake and the history of being pampered by plumbing at Kohler Co.'s so-carefully planned employee community There's also a Celebration of Chocolate feast each year. In her chapter, Washington Island, Looms and a Stavkirke, Hattes tells of this 23-square-mile island of fields and forests which is the oldest Icelandic settlement in the U.S. It's also home of the Sievers School of Fiber Arts where 600 students come each summer to nurture their craft. From the drumbeats and moccasins of the Ojibwe Indians of Lac du Flambeau, Hattes takes you to the lumber, iron ore and snow country of Hurley and Montreal, Wisconsin. In Trempealeau County the Trempealeau Hotel still stands. This Mississippi River town is the originator of walnut burgers. In the chapter, Maiden Rock, Stockholm and Prescott: River Country Sampler -- Birds, Art and Antiques, Hattes says of the guests at the Harrisburg Inn B&B, "They awaken to the sound of train whistles and migrating, trumpeting swans. In summer they breakfast on the porch watching the antics of hummingbirds and pelicans while bald eagles and turkey vultures soar overhead." Hattes ends the book with her chapter, Madeline Island, Bayfield and the Apostle Islands. Here the reader can pretty well think a week in Bayfield at the "Carnegie Hall of Tent Shows," otherwise known as the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, might well be the be-all and end-all escape from the workaday world. Wisconsin's senator Gaylord Nelson tabbed the Apostle Islands, as "emeralds scattered in a sapphire sea." Unlike most books for travelers, Country Towns of Wisconsin is a good cover-to-cover read, even if you plan no visit to Wisconsin in the near future. ###

Book Review
That "Cut & Run" Loggin' Off the Big Woods" is a coffee table book is obvious when you see its cover with the three lumberjacks posed with their axes but, it is much more than that. There are over 150 pictures in its 144 pages all of them clear as bells and none of them seen before by me.
In addition to the pictures, there is text on each page and the text is what sets it apart from other books of its type. The book is written by Mike Monte, who I know. He lives in Crandon, Wisconsin, is a former logger and the son and grandson of old time lumberjacks. Where he got all the original photos I don't know but, the writing comes naturally to him from a life long interest in the logging history of the north woods. If its possible to love the sinner while hating the sin, Mike does that. He makes plain his contempt for the timber barons who were responsible for the cutting and running but his love and respect for those people who actually did the work and lived the life shows through on every page.
Although most of the book is about the loggers, teamsters, railroaders, sawmillers and river rats who did the work, there is also a lot about their wives and families. There is an entire chapter on "Padus" a typical "sawdust" town which no longer exists. Its now part of the small town of Wabeno. There are pictures of boiler explosions, train wrecks and fires all of which plagued these early towns and mills. Pictures of stores and saloons and mud choked main streets. People in their Sunday best and lumberjacks sleeping 4 and 5 to a bed in the logging camps. All with colorful descriptions , some from elderly people who actually lived the history.
You learn a lot about those days. Beneath a shot of a 'Jack with a two bitted axe, for example, Mike explains that they kept one edge sharp, the other dull and used the dull end on frozen wood since a sharp edge would chip out on frozen wood.
Since the timber companies all paid about the same wages, food in the camps made all the difference. Mike says that 'jacks would quit jobs to follow good cooks from one job to the next.
The book doesn't stop with the clearing of the pines. There are sections on the follow up harvests of hemlock and hardwoods and, finally, the cutting of what was left for pulpwood. By the 1920s it was pretty much all over. Some 70 years to take it all.
For those who are really interested, Mike shows pictures and explains, for example, the difference between an A frame jammer and a slide ass jammer, both of which were used to load logs onto railway cars. The book can serve as a history lesson into a colorful industry of the past and/or, simply a collection of interesting photos. Either way, its well worth owning

Dave Johnson

The publisher stumbled onto a treasure in this collection of photographs of early logging in America. Mike Monte's enthusiasm shines through his commentary on the history of logging. He's interested in the loggers, their trees, their lifestyle, their machinery, their locales, their women, in short, in everything associated with the logging industry in the United States more than a century ago. I keep wondering what it would be like to eat in the logging tent at the table with these rough-looking guys, or sleep on a plywood cot next to a fellow still wearing his hobnail boots--or hang out the laundry in a couple feet of snow....this book is to die for!

Ever since I got hold of the first book in the Brandstetter series, I've been wanting to read the rest as well. Unfortunately some of them are out of print and hard to come by. So I was happy I found this one.

It's a pleasant read. The characters are well built, the story is solid and it's nice to read about how people lived in the 1970s. The gay-interest bit is a nice change from the womanisers and misanthropes that populate most detective novels too.

Sub-Title: A Dave Brandstetter Mystery

This is the second of the Dave Brandstetter novels to be reprinted. Dave was the "first and most venerable gay detective" a real shocker thirty years ago. Dave also didn't fit the image if a gay man. He was good sized and a hard boiled detective, just like the other heros of the day. All in all there were twelve Dave brandstetter mysteries. The first, Fadeout, was published in 1972. The last, A Country of Old Men, was published in 1990.

Dave's nominal gig is investigating insurance claims. But in these books it's not insurance fraud that he investigates but murder. Well it could have been an accident. And when the beneficiary of the life insurance policy has gone missing....

This book is my favorite of the whole series. It brings things to a nice close. You find out that Anders really does care about his stepsister, (they don't seem like steps after a while) Kate. He actually cries when he thinks she might be dead! A big deal for Anders! It also promises a relationship, that is more than just friendship, between Erik and Kate. When they're older, that is. For now it just is a sweet friendship. The mystery is awesome too. What I have come to expect from Mrs. Johnson's books.

My name is Holly Joy Tammaru. I'm 11 years old. This is the best book of the series! I really enjoyed reading about Kate and her horses Windsong and Breeza. It is really interesting how Kate discovers the mystery about her two horses. After you read the part about the barnfire you just have to find out if Windsong really died or if she escaped.What really surprised me was how Anders turned out to be so nice afterall. Mrs. Johnson you did a great job on this book!It was so exciting that I couldn't put it down. Too bad this is the last book of the series!

A wonderful collection of artwork that ranges from the history of the Holocaust to how it's dangers are still present in modern society. I have the honor of attending a university that is displaying the artwork and the having the artist visit. It is a must see for every race and nationality. If you are unable to see the work in person, this book is a MUST have!

A terrific book by one of the most famous feminist artists. When one considers the cruelties of males against Jewish women during and after the Holocaust, it is a pleasure to discover this book, which shows Judy Chicago's passionate work to remind us of the horrors while also discovering her Jewishness just as she contemplated the victimization of the Jews. I love this book.

Written by retired history teacher Thomas C. Reeves, Distinguished Service: The Life of Wisconsin Governor Walter J. Kohler, Jr. is an in-depth, studious biography of Walter J. Kohler, Jr. (1904-76) who served as Wisconsin's governor during the mid-twentieth century. Distinguished Service spares no detail, from its recounting of Kohler's genealogy to the meticulous analysis of his life and gubernatorial service to its contemplation of his legacy. An inset section of black-and-white photographic plates and an index complement this scholarly account, especially recommended for public library and biography shelves.

Prof. Thomas Reeves (University of Wisconsin, retired) has written the final, full length biography of his career. It is a fitting end, and a refreshing read which returns to the seemingly unfashionable historical tradition of simply "telling the story." Here, we enter the story of arguably Wisconsin's royal family, the Kohlers, and one of its most famous sons, Walter Jr. (The purple dust jacket is a fitting royal image, even if not intended to be.) For anyone interested in corporate dynasties, be it the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts, etc., this biography contains more than just dry politics. It is a regional history, to be sure, but the influence of the Kohlers sheds light on how much fame does not necessarily bring with it good character or an end to one's vices. Indeed, good character becomes harder to nurture in the world of money, politics, and power, but Walter Jr. worked hard in this regard. Reeves' biography shows all sides to Kohler's character, and Reeves is unique among biographers in this regard too. With unprecedented access to the Kohler family and Kohler Co. archives, Reeves is careful about not writing a hagiographical account, considering the privileges extended to him as a researcher. But, those who know and admire Reeves' writing will see that this was never a possibility anyway; Reeves is first and foremost a "finder of facts," and we can be thankful that the Kohlers left as many facts as they did, for it sheds light on not only politics, but life in general, especially a life of privilege, which is often only a blessing in disguise.

This is the first of two books about Wisconsin ghost legends written by this outstanding folklorist and author. I have to say that this and his "Northern Frights" are two of my favorite non-fiction books out there. It's not just a dusty collection of old spook-tales attached to lonely places, this is a volume of living legends. Mr. Boyer writes from a personal perspective, he amusingly recounts how he collected each tale and his own impressions of the place, the tale and the teller. You follow along with him as he travels through the driftless area of Wisconsin finding unique characters and listening to the stories they have to tell. Whether it be fearsome ghosts on horseback frightening motorists off the road or the eerie sound of a disembodied polka band, the spirits he encounters are the living spirits of this state, colorful and rich in culture and history. I recommend this book to anyone interested in Wisconsin folklore, ghost stories and culture.

This author always has a lot to say in a very creative way. The book is no exception. A fun read and another great book from this seasoned folklorist.

Informatively written by Jerry Minnich (a professional restaurant critic regularly published in the Madison, Wisconsin newspaper "Isthmus"), Eating Well In Wisconsin is an expert survey of more than 250 of the very best Wisconsin restaurants. Whether one prefers outdoor dining, light meals, birthday parties for children, vegetarian food, or other specialized culinary interests, Eating Well In Wisconsin has a top-quality recommended locale suited for the occasion. Each review is clear, concise, and to the point. If you plan on dining out in Wisconsin, then Eating Well In Wisconsin is the reference book for you!

Here is one fantastic guidebook on restaurants that makes the whole state of Wisconsin seem like a delicious destination. The book has a perfect layout, very easy to use and understand. Each restaurant featured is given with thorough information which includes the street address, telephone and/or fax numbers, web addresses, general cost, hours when open and what signature dishes they're known for. Also noted is if the restaurant has a bar/cocktail lounge, vegetarian entrees, a children's menu, wheelchair accessibility, smoking/non-smoking, if reservations are recommended or if the restaurant is available for private parties and for what maximum amount, plus what credit cards are accepted or if out-of-town checks are okay with ID. Not to mention the inviting personal description of menu choices and ambiance presented by the author. He even brings some humorous insight to explaining the "fish fry" phenomenon of the Midwest, particularly Wisconsin as well as the variance in super club definition to the locality.

After the great introduction comes the list of restaurant recommendations, which are sectioned off by regions and arranged in chapters titled: Madison, Just Beyond Madison, Middleton, Baraboo Area, Southeastern Gateway, Milwaukee, Just Beyond Milwaukee, Lake Geneva & Vicinity, Beloit & Janesville, East Shore, Green Bay, Fox River Valley, Door County, WI Dells & Lake Delton, Central WI, North Woods, Lake Superior Shore, Southwest, La Crosse & Vicinity, and finally Eau Claire & Vicinity. What follows next is an index of restaurants in each region grouped for easy reference according to special accommodations, with such preferences as vegetarian, outdoor dining, birthday parties, senior discounts, early bird specials and light menus. On the final few pages is a very handy town/city index plus a separate restaurant index.

With a pinch of humor and a dash of genuine honesty from the author you can be sure to locate a great place to dine in Wisconsin, either casual or not quite so. You'll find that the restaurants featured here are surely above the ordinary in everything you could ever ask for in a good place to eat. Every imaginable type of cuisine is represented, from French to Italian to Swedish to German, from Mediterranean to Mexican, American Steakhouse to Midwest Regional and Contemporary, from Chinese to Thai to Seafood and Sushi, from Supper Club and pub to family dining. There is a scrumptious variety of restaurant choices served up to truly satisfy the hungry traveler. A recommendable, one of a kind guidebook.

It's easy to forget the importance of alternative media figures like de Antonio, but he was Michael Moore before there was Michael Moore (and he did it with an intellectual seriousness that MM can't touch). I read this book in a college class and was blown away: the author writes beautifully (how many academics do that?), he really brings the 60s and 70s alive as we read about Nixon, Ho, Weatherman, the Berrigans, and he shows the importance of using media creatively/politically for cultural critique. If this isn't relevant in the age of Bush, when every media appearance is stage managed like a puppet show, I don't know what is. A must read for anyone interested in the noisy intersection of media and politics. Well done.

I had never even heard of de Antonio, but Randolph Lewis has now sparked my interest in his films, and in American documentary filmmaking more generally. A truly masterful work!

In The Conference Board's magazine, "Across the Board," in a Nov/Dec 2000 article on the best business books read over the past year, I wrote:

"Over the past couple of years, I must have read 10 to 20 management books every month. Unfortunately, before long, many of these titles start reading the same, hoping to capitalize on the management trend of the moment. But every once in a while a book comes along that includes unique and clear-headed thinking and writing. When I was working on an article about environmental ethics in business, I came across a new collection of the writings of Aldo Leopold, the legendary conservationist of the 1930s and 1940s perhaps best known for A Sand County Almanac. Edited by Curt Meine and Richard L. Knight, The Essential Aldo Leopold: Quotations and Commentaries is not, strictly speaking, a business book, but contained here in many previously unpublished observations are the thoughts and ideas of a natural (in all senses of the word) manager. Leopold was a rare combination of someone who saw the need for conserving nature, but who also understood and encouraged experiencing the beauty and functionality of the outdoors." --Across the Board, Nov/Dec 2000

One of my favorite quotes of Leopold's from this collection:

"Relegating conservation to government is like relegating virtue to the Sabbath. Turns over to professionals what should be daily work of amateurs."

Aldo Leopold was the author of "A Sand County Almanac" and one of the most influential conservationists of his day. In The Essential Aldo Leopold, Curt Meine and Richard Knight have collaborated to assembled a comprehensive collections of quotations from Leopold's extensive and diverse writings. These gems of wisdom, insight, and encouragement are organized in twenty-one chapters under the broad themes of conservation science and practice, conservation policy, conservation and culture. Each chapter begins with an introductory essay by a prominent conservation scholar to provide the reader with perspective on Leopold's numerous and varied contributions. The Essential Aldo Leopold is an essential, core title for any personal, academic, and professional environmental and conservation studies collection, and highly recommended reading for all Aldo Leopold admirers within the modern conservation movement.