Four books set in Michigan tackle history, mystery and craft beer
If you're looking for a way to escape the summer heat, this might be a good time to check out a variety of interesting books that focus on Michigan.
Modern History Press — out of Ann Arbor and edited by Victor R. Vollman — has released four well-designed new titles in the last few months that should satisfy a multitude of readers.
"Faces, Places and Days Gone By" ($19.95 paperback, $34.95 hardcover) written by Mikel B. Classen, managing editor of "The U.P. Reader," is an oversized volume that's full of great, highly detailed vintage images, accompanied by excellent descriptions.
Subtitled "A Pictorial History of Michigan's Upper Peninsula," it's divided into nine sections, including homesteading, logging, mining, ships and shipping, Native Americans and recreation.
Each section has a map that indicates where the photo was taken. There's also a glossary of terms and an index. Classen, who lives in Sault Ste. Marie, attended Northern Michigan University and has written five books of non-fiction and fiction.
He expertly uses images from old postcards, stereoviews, cabinet cards and lithographs from his private collection; this is the first volume in a series.
"Yooper Ale Trails: Craft Breweries and Brewpubs of Michigan's U.P." ($24.95 paperback; $39.95 hardcover) by Jon C. Stott will take you on a tasty journey to 29 different sites.
Stott offers lots of hometown information, including insights into each location's owners, specialties and services. His essays include his opinions of the assorted beers, flavor and alcohol content. He samples products at each site.
There are maps and useful appendices that relay information about beer styles, brewing terms and reference books. He is the author of five beer-travel guides and two other books about the Upper Peninsula.
"The SideRoad Columnist: Observations from an Upper Michigan Author" by Sharon M. Kennedy ($18.95 paperback, $32.95 hardcover) is a highly entertaining collection of short newspaper columns.
Many of these brief essays will make you laugh out loud, as Kennedy reminiscences about the '50s and '60s, although some views are contemporary.
She has also written two collections of short stories and another anthology of columns.
"Voodoo Shack: A Michigan Mystery" by Terri Martin ($16.95 paperback, $29.95 hardcover) is a fast-paced young adult novel that covers a lot of literary territory.
It's a coming-of-age tale set in rural Michigan in 1962 that showcases Iris Weston, who discovers a hunting cabin that's falling apart in a remote swampy area. She and her friends make it a clubhouse, although the owner is dead and money from another crime may be stashed nearby.
Iris uncovers secrets about her family and others as she faces life-changing challenges. Martin has written numerous humorous short stories, another children's book and a full-length novel.
Ray Walsh is the owner of East Lansing's Curious Book Shop and has reviewed Michigan books and crime novels regularly since 1987. His email address is raywalsh@voyager.net.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 4 books set in Michigan tackle history, mystery, craft beer: Ray Walsh
