Customer Reviews

Lumberjack: Inside an Era in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan : 50th Anniversary Edition

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First-hand accounts of the dramatic "big cut" by participant-observers are always illuminating. William S. Crowe's reminiscence of his years in the woods and the early days of Manistique, at the north end of Lake Michigan in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, was a classic in the 1950s. His granddaughters Lynn McGlothin Emerick and Ann McGlothin Weller have done a real service by republishing his book with ample photos and notes. Their book led to a WNMU public TV special and DVD on Upper Peninsula logging. Its success inspired and helped fund subsequent public TV productions on other aspects of U.P. history. These specials help preserve and disseminate stories of that distinctive corner of American landscape and culture.

I found "Lumberjack" by Wm. Crowe so interesting that I read it in one evening. I have vacationed for many years in the Upper Penninsula of Michigan but never really understood lumbering. The first hand account of Mr. Crowe working for a large lumber company during the early 1900's puts everything in perspective from the standpoint of the owners, managers, clerical workers, foremen, and lumberjacks. We follow the path of the trees, in proper season, from cutting, floating down the rivers, sorting, into the saw mills, and final loading on boats to ship to market. His commentary about what life was like in the forest, on the rivers, and in the mill towns was facinating. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to those who want to learn more about Michigan's early lumber industry.

I have lived in Michigan all my 69 years, and I've observed the remains of the 19th century logging era in both the lower part of the state and in the Upper Peninsula where logging is still a major part of the economy. Of the books I have read Lumberjack: Inside an Era... provides a fresh view inside life in the logging communities in the late 1800's. It is the only book I know of written by an author who knew the workings of the logging industry by having worked from an office boy to owning the company. Crowe did not himself ride the logs down the rivers, but he certainly was well informed on every aspect of the logging business. He also gives us a taste of what day to day life was like in Manistique, Michigan. For example, some of the bicycle adventures described would be a challenge on a new 21 speed mountain bike, let alone a 19th century vintage one-speed. We often read of how rowdy the lumberjacks were, but Crowe describes Manistique as a very civilized community. Although the men that worked in the woods were a tough and hardy bunch, who did enjoy a good time, they had little time to party while working dawn to dusk in the lumber camps, and when in Manistique they behaved as law-abiding citizens. Lumberjack: Inside an Era is an important addition to the history of logging in the Great Lakes region, and I would strongly recommend it to anyone interested in the history of that period.

Usually you find books about Paul Bunyan, logging railroads, and lumberjacks themselves. But rarely can you find an insight into all aspects of lumbering as well get a feel for life in Michigan's U.P. that this book provides. A must-read for all Michigan history buffs.

Now in a very special 50th anniversary edition (and collaboratively edited by Lynn McGlothlin Emerick and Ann McGlothlin Weller), Lumberjack: Inside An Era In The Upper Peninsula Of Michigan is an informed and informative presentation of the lives, times, and personal experiences of the lumberjacks of Michigan's timber harvesting history during the glory days of Michigan's timber industry. Black-and-white photographs intersperse William Crowe's personal testimony of his life and hard work as a Michigan lumberjack in this exceptional and candid account, gives the reader a first-hand look of what it was like to have been a lumberjack in Michigan's Upper Peninsula forests.

The history of Upper Michigan's lumber days - great detail and wonderful photographs. An extremely interesting read covering a sometimes harsh, but beautiful area of the North.

I LOVED THIS BOOK..I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE OLE SHANTY BOYS !

The book is ok, just a little tedious in parts. It's more of a historical rambling, with interesting anecdotes.