Michigan Books

Written by the founder of the Lake Michigan Federation and the Executive Director at the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Evolution Of The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is a scholarly discussion of the Canadian- American partnership regarding the Great Lakes, the negotiation behind the Great Lakes Agreement and its evolution, the transformation of the Great Lakes Regime, and more. In addition to the detailed and heavily researched survey of history that forms the main text, the entire Great Lakes Agreement of 1972 and its 1978 revision, along with copious notes, round out this down-to-earth environmental history. An excellent reference, as accessible to lay readers as well as students and professionals in environmental studies.

Lots of information about what to see and different attractions. Includes short descriptions of different places to go and things to see. I'll be visiting Mackinac in September, so we'll see how much it helps then....

Book Review: Exposing Electronics
edited by Bernard Finn, Smithsonian Institute, Washington DC

Exposing Electronics is the second Volume of a series "Artefacts: Studies in the History of Science and Technology". (Artefact: a functional or decorative man-made object) "..historians are using technological artefacts in the study and interpretation of the recent past. Their work is largely pioneering, as they investigate approaches and modes of presentation."

While a delegate at IEEE Sections Congress in Washington DC, last year, a group of us were conducted around the exhibit "Information Age" in the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History. Our guide was Bernard "Barnie" Finn, who is a curator and designer of "Information Age".

Our small group of electrical engineers heard a "behind the scenes" explanation of how the exhibits were put together with the rationale of attracting and holding the interest of the public of all ages. To us it was fascinating - not just a collection of original objects, but a story line threading through communications - telegraphy, telephony, digital, satellite; computation - calculating engines, data processing, real-time data bases; electronic devices - control, power, integrated circuits. The displays of artefacts were supplemented by photographs, posters, videos, and original films which helped our understanding of the motivations and needs of the engineers and scientists who built them.

"Why" are there museums and how do things end up displayed in museum exhibits? Exposing Electronics tells us about the "Information Age" exhibit and points out many of the problems in communicating the history behind the objects.

Why do we go to museums? The theory of learning is touched: What is the necessity of prior learning for vision? The role of the curator- `first helps visitors to see artefacts more clearly, then imbues those artefacts with symbolic values that come from their function and history.'

Exposing Electronics is worth having from many points of view.
It is a high quality publication 19cmx 24cm filled with interesting chapters, historical photographs and clear drawings of electronic devices - J.A.Fleming's valves; Wilhelm Cauer's calculating engines, Baaken's transistor devices, Boysel's microprocessor, Seymour Cray's supercomputers, I.I.Rabi's molecular beam apparatus.

The stories are those of our contemporaries and predecessors. The chapters have many notes which support the observations and conclusions, and invite further investigation.

The final chapter "Collectors and Museums" suggests the origins and uses of why we save, classify, index, record, things as a hobby, and how these collections can end up in museums. "Collectors help to shape museums, and therefore to shape the ways we present our cultural identities to ourselves and to others." The author notes that `Electricity is well represented in museums throughout the world.' and lists five pages of them around the world- one near you

Exposing Electronics Finn, Bud, Trischler eds. xiv+199 pp. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic Publishers 2000. Euro25 paper
ISBN 90-5823-057

© Roland Saam, February 2003

This is an important book, which contrasts two approaches to writing battle narratives: the "Face of Battle" method of John Keegan, and Kimberly Kagan's "Eye of Command" approach. Her examples are the Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus, and the Gallic War Commentaries of Julius Caesar. I did a longer review of this book in the Michigan War Studies Review, August, 2007.

This is the only edition of Pound's letters reprinting them, in their entirety, in facsimile. It includes an introduction by Watt setting the letters in their context (1956-58), evaluating Pound's contribution to American and English poetry, and dealing with his "treasonous" activities on behalf of Mussolini. In addition, it contains extensive scholarly notes, also by Watt, explicating Pound's many obscure references. BY ALL MEANS an essential addition to any library attempting to provide a comprehensive record of Ezra Pound. If I do say so myself. And I do.

Paul Hoover knows everything there is to know about the NY School. His essays on poets Mullen and Mackey are also original and clear. Read this book.

This book is very important to all students and professionals interested in the field of Human Ecology. The case studies are very well explained, and helpful to the understanding of the complexity of human ecology. It is a pleasant reading that gives insight for all persons interested in the field.

This book is extremely well written and the illustrations are beautiful. I teach American History and would recommend this to anyone who loves the land.
Allman travels all over the Great Lakes region and the reader learns a lot about how the region took shape and the present state ot its ecosystem.
I gave it as a gift.

When this book came out I was graduating from college with atheatre degree. A little lost, but in love with a recording of StrikeUp the Band, I bought this book. This beautiful book gripped me,delighted me and enchanted me. 7 years later, I'm writing my dissertation on musical theatre, with my first chapter (and my favorite) on the Gershwins. Deena Rosenburg's book is a model of what musical theatre biographies can be--history on the authors, the shows and the times. I won't wreck the ending for you, but it is one of the only non-fiction books I could say that about. I spent a week as spellbound as I was when reading The Lord of the Ring, and I will always hold this up as a fabulous book to introduce anyone to musical theatre and a joy. Bravo! END

The collaborative effort of Marie A. Gile and Marion T. Marzolf, Fascination With Fiber: Michigan's Handweaving Heritage is not a how-to craftbook, but rather a cultural and historical survey of Michigan's tradition of handweaving. Authors, weavers, and historians Gile and Marzolf examine the people and the social dynamics that have sustained the art of handweaving in Michigan and in America for over two centuries. A scattering of black-and-white and color photographs illustrate this grand tour of eclectic personalities, interviews, oral histories, the origin of the Michigan League of Handweavers, the "Fascination with Fiber" museum exhibit, and much more. Especially recommended for handweaving enthusiasts interested in learning the centuries of tradition supporting this creative and inclusive craft.