Mixed-Blood Histories: Race, Law, And Dakota Indians in the Nineteenth-Century Midwest by Jameson R. Sweet

The book cover of "Mixed-Blood Histories: Race, Law, and Dakota Indians in the Nineteenth-Century Midwest" by Jameson R. Sweet, featuring brown textured background and centered text in dark and light fonts.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Jameson R. Sweet’s Mixed-Blood Histories: Race, Law, And Dakota Indians in the Nineteenth-Century Midwest delineated the legal and economic ramifications of the intermarriages between  Euro-Americans and American Indians. The book took place in the Midwest which included the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa,…

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Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball, and Hometown Spirit by Thomas L. Pelissero

A boy wearing a yellow basketball jersey with the number 14 stands on a small town street at sunset, holding a basketball. The street is lined with shops, including a bar, bakery, hardware store, and drugstore.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Thomas L. Pelissero’s Bring One Home: A Memoir of Boyhood, Basketball, and Hometown Spirit brought to life a basketball team’s multiple losses: the town’s loss of jobs, the school’s financial strife, amongst a never-ending hometown spirit.  The story took place during the 1960s in the small town of…

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Dairies That Delivered Milk to the Residents of Dickinson County, Michigan by Phyllis Carlson

The cover of a spiral-bound book titled “Dairies That Delivered Milk to the Residents of Dickinson County, Michigan” with a black-and-white photo of a vintage Lakeland Dairy delivery truck and driver.

Review by Sharon Brunner Phyllis Carlson’s “Dairies That Delivered Milk to the Residents of Dickinson County, Michigan” introduced a number of dairies that were in operation in the aforementioned county from the late 1800s to the 1970s during a time when lumbering and mining served as prevalent sources of income….

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Title: Merciless Savages (NOT): A how to guide to help you write and talk respectfully about American Indians by Phil Bellfy

Book cover titled "Merciless Savages (NOT)" by Phil Bellfy, featuring cartoon cars and people circling wagons, with the subtitle about writing and talking respectfully about American Indians.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Phil Bellfy’s “Merciless Savages (NOT): A how to guide to help you write and talk respectfully about American Indians” provides a culturally appropriate approach for addressing the Indigenous population. He applied humor and honest critical references in this book. The Declaration of Independence referred to the Indigenous…

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Straw Horse by Terri Martin – Book #2 of Kat Wilde U.P. Mysteries

Book cover for "Straw Horse" by Terri Martin, featuring a silhouette of a running horse against a textured background with a large sun and earthy tones. The subtitle indicates it is the second Kat Wilde U.P. Mysteries book.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Terri Martin’s Straw Horse was filled with intrigue, suspense and humor coupled with a blooming romance. The story took place in the Northwoods at a fictional town called Peshekee located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (U.P.). The main characters in the book were Kat, Nikko, Sheriff…

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If it Snows, Go Fishing: 60 Years of Stream Fishing in the Copper Country by Clyde Wainio

Book cover with the title "If it Snows, Go Fishing! 60 Years of Stream Fishing in the Copper Country" in bold blue and white text, illustrated with five detailed fish drawings and snowflakes against a blue background.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Clyde Wainio’s If it Snows, Go Fishing: 60 Years of Stream Fishing in the Copper Country celebrates a lifetime of fishing adventures in the captivating Upper Peninsula of Michigan (U.P). Main characters in the story were Ed, someone he fished with for years, his brother Wil, his…

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Understanding Michigan Black Bear, 3rd Edition by Richard P. Smith

Two black bears, one with dark fur and one with light fur, stand on their hind legs facing each other in a grassy area. The book cover text reads "Understanding Michigan Black Bear," by Richard P. Smith.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Richard P. Smith’s Understanding Michigan Black Bear, 3rd Edition offers an extensive review covering the habits, attacks, and hunting of Michigan black bears. These well-researched bruins have exhibited avoidant and dangerous behaviors. They may run away if yelled at or may attack if they feel threatened. Some…

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Dark Straits by Joshua Veith (Sudden Quiet – Book #2)

Book cover for "Dark Straits" by Joshua Veith, featuring a black bridge in fog, green vein-like patterns in the background, and bold red and green text. Subtitle reads "Sudden Quiet: Book II.

Reviewer Sharon Brunner Joshua Veith’s Dark Straits (Sudden Quiet: Book II) offered a haunting view of survival while various groups battle for regional control. The outbreak of deadly diseases led to the collapse of societal law and order. The various groups involved in the story were Rangers, Indigenous, Eco-elves, and…

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We Made in New York 1968-72 by Michael and Evie Carrier

A young man and woman sit on outdoor steps in autumn clothes, looking at each other. The book cover text includes "TIBAX," "We Made in New York: 1968–72," and authors Michael and Evie Carrier.

Review by Sharon Brunner Michael and Evie Carrier brought to life dangerous situations, passionate and enduring love, and the trials and tribulations of a young couple in their memoir “Trax: We Made in New York 1968-72.”  Michael provided a disclosure at the beginning of the book about their different recollections…

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Michigan Auto Company: Calumet’s First Auto Dealership and the Man Behind It by Kenneth C. Bracco

Book cover for "Michigan Auto Company: Calumet’s First Auto Dealership and the Man Behind It" featuring an old black-and-white photo of a man standing next to an early automobile outside a storefront.

Reviewer: Sharon Brunner Kenneth C. Bracco’s “Michigan Auto Company: Calumet’s First Auto Dealership and the Man Behind it” brought to life stages of the automobile industry and other life changing events from 1900 to the 1960s. Other places mentioned in the book were Detroit and Chicago besides the main location…

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