Wisconsin Books

These are personal stories of the author Susan Krieger's slow loss of sight and provides ten brief reflections and one novella-length drama which follows Susan's birdwatching in a New Mexico desert, learning to use a white cane, and final enjoyment of life's visions before losing her sight. Outer landscapes may change, but inner vision persists - and Susan Krieger faces disability and a changed life with renewed vision. Things No Longer There is very highly recommended reading.

These are personal stories of the author Susan Krieger's slow loss of sight and provides ten brief reflections and one novella-length drama which follows Susan's birdwatching in a New Mexico desert, learning to use a white cane, and final enjoyment of life's visions before losing her sight. Outer landscapes may change, but inner vision persists - and Susan Krieger faces disability and a changed life with renewed vision. Things No Longer There is very highly recommended reading.

These are personal stories of the author Susan Krieger's slow loss of sight and provides ten brief reflections and one novella-length drama which follows Susan's birdwatching in a New Mexico desert, learning to use a white cane, and final enjoyment of life's visions before losing her sight. Outer landscapes may change, but inner vision persists - and Susan Krieger faces disability and a changed life with renewed vision. Things No Longer There is very highly recommended reading.

Read the first review. It covers more than I could think to say at this point. I am about to read the book for a second time. What I expected, and what I got upon reading were two different things. The author has what one calls a real gift for words. Each story is an emotional trip. Some left me laughing, but several left me exhausted from my journey. I can't wait to read it again!

TOKEN CREEK is a gem. The book's structure is simple enough: a collage of short stories about family and friends in a Wisconsin farm town at a time before most of us were born. But beware, the simple description is deceptive. Beneath a smoothly crafted surface you'll find a rich and subtle read. Each of the stories is gracefully rendered, each standing alone as a tale worth telling. Woven together, they form a broad and comforting picture of a community whose people I grew to like and respect. Several of the stories are especially strong. My personal favorite, "The Token Creek Land Company" is haunting, almost Chekhovian in its bittersweet exploration of sunshine dreams in the clutch of a northern winter. Or "Bird Dog," warm and funny, about the power of man's best friend to redirect Second Cousin LeRoy from the road to booze and sloth. Another winner is "The Big Dipper," with its measured and evocative description of Uncle Dillard's fall into an unsuspected tunnel, carved beneath his barn to shelter runaway slaves. Then there's the one about the pig. . . There is a lot of variety here. You'll be able to pick a favorite of your own.Riedner has a gift shared with the first tier of American short story writers. His words are crisp and bright. They are combined with wit and subtlety into rhythmic clusters of image-rich prose. His voice is sure, humane and loving, but never for a moment sentimental. The stories of TOKEN CREEK belie their half century ago setting. They are a completely modern look at the varying burdens and joys of living among those we care for, of being part of family and community. TOKEN CREEK is about people worth knowing. It is a book to be savored, shared and saved to read again.

Each of the stories in this book is beautifully written, elegantly conceived, and full of interesting and colorful characters. I look forward to reading the stories outloud to my children.

It only seems as if Jerry Apps has written a couple hundred books, but it has to be at least a couple dozen by now, on subjects including beer and barns, circus and one-room schools. He's even written a couple of fine children's books.
It took him a long time to get around to writing a novel, but it was worth the wait. The Travels of Increase Joseph depicts a make-believe rural preacher in the real world of Wisconsin from pre Civil War days to the turn of the Century, and it grabs and holds your interest all the way.
Like all of Jerry's books, Travels is steeped in meticulous research, but this time Jerry has let his imagination have at the facts.
We follow the career of Increase Joseph Link from the time he gets drummed out of theology school until his death. His calling to preach comes in the form of a literal lightning bolt and leads him to form the church of the Standalone Fellowship, based on teachings contained in a mysterious red book the preacher keeps with him at all times and never lets anyone else read.
When not preaching a gospel of God, man, and the land, pastor Link peddles a cure-all tonic (the recipe also remains his secret, but I'm betting on a high alcohol content) that sells for "50 cents, or two for a dollar."
It's a wonderful read and an education in Wisconsin history and the formation of America. I highly recommend it.
Marshall J. Cook
Madison, Wisconsin

The Travels Of Increase Joseph by Jerry Apps is a superbly crafted historical novel of a pioneer preacher who came to the wildlands of Wisconsin in 1852 with his small gathering of followers, the Standalone Fellowship. Supporting the Fellowship by selling his special curative tonic, and delivering oratory and with powerful messages that are nothing short of spellbinding, Joseph Link dared to speak out as he journeyed and his words and ideas made an impression that stayed. The Travels Of Increase Joseph is a most thoughtful and wonderfully entertaining read. Jerry Apps writes with vibrant character and has a penchant for making Wisconsin history come alive.

Increase Joseph Link, an itinerant preacher, arrives in the wilds of central Wisconsin in 1852. A small band of followers who call themselves the Standalone Fellowship come with him. They take up farming near Link Lake, named for their revered spiritual leader.

The Standalone Fellowship almost immediately falls on difficult times. To earn money for the Fellowship, Increase Joseph takes his message of "listening to the land" to nearby towns where he preaches in a round tent and sells a special curative tonic for fifty cents a bottle.

Increase Joseph's preaching becomes known throughout the region for its content and especially for his powerful manner of delivery. His spellbinding oratory is based on the mysterious Red Book that Increase Joseph carries with him everywhere and allows no one to see, not even his immediate family. He takes on wheat farmers, lumber barons and those who accept technology without questioning it. He speaks against war and Slavery and the Fellowship becomes a part of the Underground Railroad.

With a cast of characters, real and fictional, Apps tells a fast moving story that examines human progress in a new light. The story of Increase Joseph Link is nuanced with philosophy and history, and told with humor and Apps' special story telling flair.

This book offers a comprehensive guide to all the major trout streams in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area. Well written with fantastic advice.

This book is fantastic. The author literally fished almost every stream and wrote about them. The book is filled with photos and maps to help get a visual on what he is describing about each stream. I also found helpful the places to stay and eat he suggested. Make notes of your own next to each stream he wrote about. A must have when scouting new trout streams.

I am a guide and fly fisherman in SE Minnersota and still refer to this book when I explore new water. Almost as good as having a guide with you. Mel Hayner MINNESOTAFLYFISHING.COM

Lisa Lewis' first collection of poems reads like the average third or fourth book- in voice and craft, it feels and sounds totally mature; it is a dark and unflattering world for a single woman out there, and these completely unsentimental, narrative- descriptive, long lined meditative poems tell it like it is-- they are frightening in their lack of illusion, or self-deception, or even emotion-- they record all the events of the speaker's and others' lives with fierce kind of objectoivity. These are smart, tough poems which give back in spades what the world dishes out. A rare collection. Lewsi' second collection is not, by the way, as strong, but this is a star. This is like reading the National Enquierer for real folk, told by the people who were there. Check it out, Mary.

Lisa Lewis is a wonderful poet, caring teacher, and attentive mentor. I'm blessed to have gotten the chance to work with her, and I definately recommend this book, which excels at re-thinking some of the basic elements of human nature.

Lisa Lewis' first collection of poems reads like the average third or fourth book- in voice and craft, it feels and sounds totally mature; it is a dark and unflattering world for a single woman out there, and these completely unsentimental, narrative- descriptive, long lined meditative poems tell it like it is-- they are frightening in their lack of illusion, or self-deception, or even emotion-- they record all the events of the speaker's and others' lives with fierce kind of objectoivity. These are smart, tough poems which give back in spades what the world dishes out. A rare collection. Lewsi' second collection is not, by the way, as strong, but this is a star. This is like reading the National Enquierer for real folk, told by the people who were there. Check it out, Mary.

As a lifelong resident of Madison and a graduate of UW-Madison, I can confirm that this book is like a tour of Madison from your couch. Before you visit, before you attend college, and if you ever want to know about the best places in Madison, this is your guide. The writer obviously is well-versed in the unique culture of Madison, and provides an excellent reference with a lot of vibrant personality.

This is an excellent book for a high school student looking at the school, a parent, or even a new student at U of Wisconsin. It's well written, informative, and even funny. I never lost interest and it includes a lot of great detail about subjects from diversity to academics to nightlife. It's really helpful, as it gives a student perspective that you don't have from extensive reports on numerous colleges. Check this out!!

I would highly recommend this book to every new student attending UW madison. It's clear the the writer had a hands on prespective of her material. In addition to being really well written, the writer seems to infuse lots of information with style and and sense of humor that makes it more than, facts and guides to college life. A must read!!!

An amazing tribute book to both his father and his family during a time of turmoil for many many people. As said before it is a story that had taken place in towns across the United Stated, but also shows the side of Americans at home. I have had the honor of having Dr. Haney teach me in two classes and his knowledge is amazing on numerous subjects. After reading his book I hold him in even higher regard than I had before. It is an outstanding book that I recommend everyone read.

When Is Daddy Coming Home is a very well written and heart moving story about how WWII impacted the author, his family and his life. The author's father, drafted later on in the war, and sent to Europe after those in his classification were determined to be exempt from the draft, was killed on a mission that didn't need to take place, after the glider he was in was hit right before it landed. The theme of the story, however, is the relationship between the author, his mother, and father. This is what we read about throughout the book, and this is what makes this story such a sentimental one. The author also reminds us that for every soldier that went overseas, there was a family, or friend waiting at home, and, many times, these people were left to carry on after the soldier was killed. I thank the author for sharing his story with us. This is a great book and I highly recomend it.

With stories of young men coming home from Iraq in coffins the timing on this book is perfect. Many books are written on the history of World War II, from big stories of the movement of great armies, to the tales of heroic acts. This is not such a tale but a simple story of a young boy in Wisconsin (but the same story took place in every state). The young boy, born in November of 1940, writes of life in America during the war. Living in a happy family he was four years old when the telegram arrived at his family's home informing them of his father's death.

His father did not die the heroic death that you make movies about, it was an ordinary soldiers death. What makes it special is the writing in this book. At once historical, memories and poignant. It is an often heart-rending picture of life in wartime America.

Don't attempt to read this book without a hankerchief at hand.

Service was fast and efficient. Book was brand new and much cheaper than at the store.

I have already been able to use this excellent new book as a reference for my high school classes. The writing is very readable and the pictures are very engaging. Love the short two page articles on a wide range of topics. Perfect for teachers, home schoolers and people who want to learn about Wisconsin history.

The collaboraton of Jon Kasparek, Bobbie Malone and Erica Schock, Wisconsin History Highlights: Delving Into The Past is an engaging textbook especially intended for middle school and high school students and teachers. Wisconsin History Highlights is not a standard, narrative history text; instead, it presents a wide variety of concise historical vignettes about events, people, and places in Wisconsin history, each of which has a wealth of hints to get students started on research projects about those or related topics. A thorough index rounds out this quality resource for building research skills, critical thinking capabilities, and awareness of Wisconsin's rich history.

Fantastic reading! One gets the feeling that you've just discovered a set of dusty old diaries written by your great-great grandfather. The only thing missing is the original quill pen writing and the smell of old paper! There is no mistaking this was written by a man who was there. The author was no ordinary soldier-he was obviously intelligent and well educated by the way he retained and portrayed so vividly the events and topics of the period. This is not a military history, although there is much historical fact recorded. He discusses not only the battles and life as a soldier, but also the current thinking of both the Union supporters and the rebellion supporters. The editors comments are helpful, often providing important relavent information and correcting historical mistakes. Not all of the text was written on the front lines. Much of it was written in recent retrospect, and probably with the help of other soldiers accounts; so it isn't entirely first hand. Nonetheless, it's as close to the original story one can get. The discussion of the battle scenes is detailed enough to evoke real empathy toward all who lived during the war, yet is sparing of any gory detail. I'm not a military buff. I'm a history buff. I enjoyed the reading for its originality. It puts you squarely back to the 1860's.

The only thing that disappoints me about this book is that so few people have read it. Van Willard's diaries are very different from most other Civil War accounts. They are extremely well written; I was surprised that he wasn't a well-known writer, considering the engaging text. Willard doesn't go into the minutiae of daily life, but presents an all-around account that is on a completely different level than other soldiers' diaries or letters.

You won't be disappointed with this book!

This isn't just another Civil War soldier's diary; Van Willard wrote 5 complete journals or "books" during his enlistment with the 3rd Wisconsin Infantry. You will discover that Willard was a very insightful and educated fellow, as he offers his thoughts and opinions about the war, the south, slavery, immigrant troops, the Iron Brigade, officers and so forth. Viewing the war from his eyes offers the reader an entirely different perspective than what we are used to finding in other Civil War books and diaries.

I highly recommend this book for any civil war buff or for anyone interested in the finest regiment to ever leave the Badger State, Wisconsin's 3rd Regiment of Infantry Volunteers.!

My Aunt Sally has captured the magical nature of her family's life in the early Twentieth Century, and gives the reader a glimpse of a time that this world will never see again. My father (middle son Jack) told us some of these stories when we were children, but many are new and delightful. Be assured that you don't have to be part of the Davis/Pearson family to enjoy these stories - you might be able to picture your parents or grandparents in any one of them. This book is a real gift of storytelling!

I read this book because I knew the author when I was in high school in Milwaukee (and even visited her some years later when she was living in Costa Rica). That said, I would recommend these family stories to anyone who relishes a good "oral" history. The vignettes told, mostly of the period before and through the Second World War, demonstrate effortlessly the interplay of personages, the vectors of "family" and the sweep of history. I'm not sure why Mrs. Pearson chooses to relate the particular events outlined in each chapter, but I'm glad she did; one senses there is more (if especially from her own life), and I hope she's at work now on those stories; a couple more people from a couple more generations and there would be something as gripping as Buddenbrooks or One Hundred Years of Solitude, or even your own family. Her storytelling is provocative in part because the motive isn't clear, leaving the richness of experience intact; it also makes one mull the nature of memory. These are not your grandparents' annoying tales of the good/bad old days, nor are they the mish-mash of your tapes from when you interviewed your grandparents; Mrs. Pearson is a very fine storyteller, and you will be drawn in too.

I am a nephew of the author and I am grateful for the historical perspective of Wisconsin and Wales portrayed in the book. My aunt has written a superlative book with keen insights into the United States in the 20's 30's and 40's.