Review by Jon C. Stott Writing a biography for young readers is a challenge. Much of the life chronicled covers the subject’s adult years, many aspects of which may be beyond readers’ comprehension. When the subject is from another culture, the challenges increase because the social and spiritual milieu in…
Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Deborah K. Frontiera’s book Douglass Houghton: Michigan’s Pioneer Geologist, Doctor and Teacher offers a portrayal of an academically high achiever and his discovery of potential resources of a brand new state. Michigan became a state in 1837. During Douglass’ earlier years, his parents, Judge Jacob and Lydia…
Review by Mack Hassler Tantae molis erat Romanem condere gentum “How hard it was to found the race of Rome” Near the end of Book I, Vergil The Aeneid, written close to Christ’s birth I love the interplay in this epigraph between the language play in ancient thought given to…
Reviewed by Hannah Brinza Deborah Frontiera’s new book Superior Tapestry sets itself the task of weaving together the history of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Those of you familiar with Deborah’s work may recall her novella Midnight in the Pawn Shop, in which objects at the pawn shop come to life and…
A Playful Introduction to Swedish Culture Review by Victor R. Volkman A to Zåäö: Playing with History at the American Swedish Institute, by mother-and-son team Tara Sweeney and Nate Christopherson, is a playful introduction to Swedish culture and language. This coffee table quality hardcover from University of Minnesota Press is…
