Wisconsin Books

This book is a must-have for anyone who has an interest in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS). The now-sainted Prof. Fredrich takes a quick but thorough look at the history of the WELS.

Written in an easily-readable style, Fredrich takes you through the triumphs, set-backs, and controversies in the history of the Wisconsin Synod. The people this history are brought to life, and all the while, God's guiding hand is evident in the history of this synod.

In The Wisconsin Traveler's Companion, author and Wisconsin native Jerry Apps brings to life and carefully explains the sights of rural Wisconsin: its landscape, farmsteads, crops, rural buildings, roadside animals, birds and flowers, planting and harvesting cycles, and more. Readers will learn the differences between Jersey and Brown Swiss diary cattle, Finnish and Swedish style barns, and wild flowers from the columbine to the geranium. Whether day tripping, vacationing, or simply traveling the state, The Wisconsin Traveler's Companion is an invaluable resource enhanced throughout with beautiful illustrations by Julie Sutter-Blair.

Newly revised and updated by Diana Cook, Kristin Visser's Wisconsin Trivia is an exciting, fascinating and fun book about Wisconsin which is written entirely in question-and-answer format. Each question and answer is separated by a small icon of Wisconsin cheese! Divided into sections on Geography, Entertainment, History, Arts & Literature, Sports & Leisure, and Science & Nature, Wisconsin Trivia is excellent not only as amusing and informative leisure reading, but also as a source of questions for a rousing game of Wisconsin-themed Trivial Pursuit. Highly entertaining and filled with questions sure to challenge even the most settled of Wisconsin residents, Wisconsin Trivia makes for an especially timely gift with the coming of Wisconsin's sesquicentennial - the 150th anniversary of Wisconsin's admission to the Union. Wisconsin Trivia is highly recommended for personal browsing or as an authoritative source for party time trivia contests!

Lots of good info on nooks and crannies in Dairyland. The tourist caves, plus one great recommendation to the Ledges Park. I recommend the entire series of these books.

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (6/07)

When you least expect it, it can happen. Just what is "it?" For Jena, Lara and Melody it is an opportunity for love. Not just "puppy" love but the real thing. None of the three young Wisconsin women are expecting to find their soul-mate but that is what happens.

Jena needs a summer job. Travis is a busy lawyer whose wife died leaving him to raise his young daughters, Mandi and Carly, on his own. He advertises for a "summer girl." A summer girl is someone who will take care of his daughters, do some light housekeeping and take the girls to their activities. Travis' sister Glenda was living in the attached apartment and taking care of the girls until a man interested her and she ran off with him. Travis is expecting someone much younger than 26. But 26-year-old Jena comes to interview and Travis is impressed, so he hires her. Jena fills the void that the girls feel since losing their mother and love starts to grow not only for the girls but also for Travis. When summer is over, will Jena be gone from the girls lives?

Aren't the older sisters always supposed to marry before the younger ones? Melody always thought that she would get married before her younger sister Bonnie. Bonnie's new fiance is coming to dinner at their parents and wedding plans are set into motion. Oh no, Bonnie's fiance is someone who Melody used to date. Melody's parents are all pleased and the house soon becomes Wedding Central. Melody just wants someone to talk to, so she starts spending more and more time with Luke, the neighbor guy who has always loved Melody. Will Melody and Luke discover that they are more than just neighbors and friends? Will Bonnie still marry Scott when she finds out what happened to her sister's dealings with her intended?

Kevin is a rodeo star, but he has taken a terrible fall from a horse and is flown to the hospital by Flight for Life. Lara is a social worker who works in the hospital with case studies. Lara has always had an interest in horses and helps out at the Regeneration Ranch where handicapped people work with horses as part of their therapy. To make matters worse, Lara has been assigned Kevin's case and she had a crush on him in their younger years. It will be a "Long Ride Home" for Kevin as he recovers, but can they find love now that they are given another chance? Will they find a lariat around their hearts?

Andrea Boeshaar is from Wisconsin and invites you to come to Wisconsin through this book. Her descriptions of this great state and familiarity with places and landscapes of Wisconsin shine through. "Wisconsin Weddings" is a must read for those who love tender romances with men and women finding true love The three stories in this excellent book will capture your heart and give you a much needed retreat. God's plan is always the right one as illustrated in these beautiful stories of love, romance and sweet surprises. Come to Wisconsin for the weddings, you will be glad you did!

Wisconsin Where They Row: A History Of Varsity Rowing At The University Of Wisconsin by Bradley F. Taylor is an informed and informative history of the University of Wisconsin's intercollegiate sport of rowing that began in 1892 with their first non-intramural race and continued to a 113-year tradition. Wisconsin Where They Row fully captures the very spirit and richness of the Badger crews while recounting milestones in Wisconsin's rowing tradition, from their financial troubles and six-year suspension for health reasons, to their participation in the early intercollegiate regattas on the Hudson River, to the establishment of the women's team in 1972. Replete with anecdotes, vintage photos, and historical "infobits" (there has been a Badger on each Olympic crew team since 1968), Wisconsin Where They Row is "must" reading for Wisconsin history buffs, Wisconsin alums, and collegiate rowing fans.

The author of "Fly Fisher's Guide to Wisconsin", John Motoviloff is one of Wisconsin's leading outdoor writers. His latest book, Wisconsin Wildfoods: 100 Recipes For Badger State Bounties reflects his special expertise as he provides the reader with recipes to showcase Wisconsin's fish, waterfowl, small game, venison, and more. In addition to main entrees ranging from Door County Duck with Cherries to Crock-Pot Barbequed Rabbit, there is a culinary wealth of casseroles, side dishes, salads, sweets and drinks with a distinctive Badger State flair that would grace any dining occasion. Enhanced with a "Game and Wildfoods Vendors" section as well as a "user friendly" index, Wisconsin Wild Foods belongs in every personal, professional, and Wisconsin community library cookbook collection!

Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Guide is the premier portable guide to seeking out and observing wildlife within the diverse ecosystems and topography of Wisconsin. Made possible by the national Watchable Wildlife Program (a unique partnership of state and federal resource agencies and private organizations dedicated to promoting wildlife-related recreational, educational, and conservation), this guide incudes detailed descriptions of each of 76 wildlife viewing areas. Included for each viewing site and its wildlife are maps and access information, helpful wildlife viewing tips, and beautiful color photography. If you are going out to view Wisconsin wildlife and habitat, begin with a thorough reading of Mary Judd's Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Guide!

Now in a completely updated, revised and expanded edition, Wisconsin With Kids: The Family Guide To Fun & Adventure continues to be the year round premier guide to what Wisconsin has to offer for families ranging from day trips to weekend excursions to extended vacations. From the Wisconsin Dells, to Door County, from Madison and Milwaukee to the Northwoods, every section and region of Wisconsin is covered in remarkable detail. If you have children of any age and are looking for something fun to do in the Badger State, begin with browsing through the pages of Kristin Visser and Jerry Minnich's Wisconsin With Kids.

This book is a must for anyone that enjoys fine crafted beer.