1 comments about The Wisconsin Frontier (A History of the Trans-Appalachian Frontier).

1. This book traces the development of Wisconsin from its days as a French outpost to the farming and lumber empire it eventually became. Wisconsin experienced a gradual northwest growth from north of Chicago to the port at Superior. But this is not to say its history is either dull or predictable. The mightly rivers that dissect the state and the several Indain tribes that originally called Wisconsin home had much influence over the whites who eventually became known as the states first "settlers."
   
   This account is fast-paced and is an interesting read. People from this part of the country will enjoy reading about the formation of their state. The modern Republican Party owes its birth to Wisconsin as does the former political movement known as "Progressivism." Wisconsin also boasts of being a leading (former the leading) dairy-producing state. Timber barons denuded its northern forests (some never grew back, and would be miners found a small amount of iron.
   
   Wisconsin has a dynamic past and this book captures that development superbly.

No comments about Finding Indiana Ancestors: A Guide to Historical Research.

2 comments about Potawatomi Indians of Michigan, 1843-1904, Including some Ottawa and Chippewa, 1843-1866, and Potawatomi of Indiana, 1869 and 1885.

1. It is confusing to me as to why (as of the date I am writing this) that this book would be selling (by parties other than Amazon--Amazon did not have in stock) for over $100. It is simply the census roll data on the Potawatomi Indians in Michigan for the time period specified in the title. I bought from one seller who fortunately posted for under $15 since I thought perhaps there was additional info, but there was not. Most of this data can be found on internet sites concerning Native American history or Ancestry. So, look around on the internet before you purchase this book.



2. I was disappointed with the content of this book. Only a roll call of Potawatomi Indians that turned up for government money. The title made it seem it was about the Potawatomi, not the government counting of them. Wish I hadn't bought it.

2 comments about Evie Finds Her Family Tree.

1. This is one of the best childrens books I have ever read. When I was younger I had my favourites and, I continue to find favourite selections to pass on to my nieces and nephews; but 'Evie Finds Her Family Tree' has found its way to the top of my list.
   
   I love it so much because everytime I give this book to a friend or family member, the child instantly starts asking about his family tree and past. It opens up conversations, and a lot of quality, fun time is spent together as a family.
   
   The author makes this child-focused book enjoyable for even the adults. This is SUCH a great christmas or birthday gift as it stimulates quality time together.... A + !!!



2. This is a very well written book that uses the analogy of different trees representing different characteristics of family members. I bought it to use with a second grade class and my son informed me that this was "kind of babyish" for he and his friends.
   
   Well written but choose your audience carefully.

No comments about The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis.

1 comments about Oral Epics from Africa: Vibrant Voices from a Vast Continent (African Epic).

1. how could something as interesting as african mythology become this boring? it's a mistery to me.
   i grew up with african mythology, with the stories, the jungle, the witch-doctors, the animals...all i got here was endless rhymes that might sound great if the story-teller were in front of me but was sleep inducing on paper.
   so why a 2 star you ask, instead of only one star? for the effort...this book was written based on days/years of hard work...i have to respect that.

No comments about Indiana Wine: A History.

No comments about Racism and Sexual Oppression in Anglo-America: A Genealogy.

5 comments about Steel Giants: Historic Images from the Calumet Regional Archives.

1. Beautifully composed, printed and bound. Photos of the two steel giants of Northwest Indiana in the early 20th century. Has a library style cover.



2. That vast amalgam of the steel industry that lined virtually the entire South Shore of Lake Michigan never ceased to amaze me as I flew over it on my many trips in and out of Chicago from the East Coast, and it was equally depressing to watch the slow demise and near disappearance of Big Steel over the last thirty years leaving what appears to be a vast alley of soot and rust. It never occurred to me that I would ever need to know more about the subject than my own personal observations noted above. That all changed when I was engaged to design an exhibit based on the Steel Industry on the Lake Michigan South Shore.
   The current meager supply of easily accessible information was vastly improved by the publication of "Steel Giants". This impressive photographic compilation of the now vanished industry puts in one place access to vast archives formerly easily available only to scholars and those willing to travel to Indiana. Due to the source material itself, it's not not the perfect compendium of the industry that might have been compiled by an independent eye. It is instead what the steel industry saw as important to note for reasons of publicity or record. That other book will have to be left to other enquiring industrial archaeologists yet to come. So take this book for what it is---a vast self-portrait of the Twentieth Century steel giants as they saw themselves. That said, it comprises a magnificent and beautifully produced corporate photographic record that you can actually hold in your hands and appreciate at a cost far less than a plane ticket.



3. I think anyone who has either worked, lived, or has a family member that worked at either Inland Steel or USS Gary Works must have this book. Very few words but lots of very interesting and previously unseen by many people in and or from the area. The adjacent areas to these two mills have come full circle. They both started as sand dunes and now are re-approaching that same state again. AS the Steel Industry in these areas have gone, so have the areas (cities). Again, this is a must for anyone from these areas. Besides many of my fathers pictures are in this book. Regardless IT'S A MUST.



4. The book provides an excellent pictorial presentation of the development of the Steel Industry in Northwest Indiana. It presents background information identifying the development of the communities during the subsequent construction of two of the largest steel producing facilities in the United States.



5. i bought this for my son because his father worked in the mills,and he is enjoying this book so much,if you're from Indiana or in any way connected to the steel mills this ia a great book to have.

4 comments about The Indiana Way: A State History.

1. As a local history buff, I was pleased to encounter this book at the bookstore. Professor Madison does a nice job outlining Indiana's history in a way that the average arm-chair historian can understand without any difficulty whatsoever. The first section is devoted to the land and the early people who inhabited the land. He does a great job getting the geographical history down in a concise manner. It's easy to ramble about the topic, but Madison does a nice job of being brief, but also impeccable with content. He covers all the bases.
   I particulary enjoy the social history, which talks about race-relations and also about people who helped form the State.

   Most major events in American History are taken from the Hoosier perspective as well. While reading, you can tell that Madison has a particular love for the State of Indiana. He writes about it in such a way that demonstrates his admiration for the early settlers, but also he looks at them from a realistic point of view. He does not write history from rose-colored glasses, and writes in a honest and refreshing sort of way.

   My only complaint would be that there needs to be more pictures. I do have to add that the photos included are obviously carefully selected, as they make silent statements in themselves. For example, the one of Klan members exiting a church in rural Knox, Indiana, or the one of a one-room delapitated school house in northern Clinton Co. He did a great job in selecting appropriate photos... I only wish there were more.




2. For those of you non-native Hoosiers (such as myself), this book will help explain why things are the way they are here in Indiana. Why don't we observe daylight savings time? It's "the Indiana way". Why are we more conservative than our fellow midwesterners? It's "the Indiana way".



3. Those that are looking for a general overview of history, in the state of Indiana, will get what they are looking for. Well written and researched. I would have liked to have seen more individual accounts, but that is only a personal preference.



4. I really thought I was overreacting to the lack of some information in this book, so I gave it to another Hoosier who is well versed in Indiana history and they agreed with me. What is contained in the pages is good; however I found a huge lack of content concerning the more northern sections of the state. The effect of the railroad - after all Indiana for the main years of rail travel was one of the more important sections of rail travel between the east and the west, it had the largest and most modern switching yards in the world. Indiana also was a huge manufacturer of band instruments, it also had one of the main pharmaceutical labs in the world, producing vitamins, Alka-Seltzer. There is no mention at all of one of the larger cities in the northern section that contained all of the previously mentioned items - Elkhart. How can you give a state history and leave out such a significant city?