Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State [Paperback]

Bruce A. Rubenstein (Author), Lawrence E. Ziewacz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0882959190 | ISBN-13: 978-0882959191 | Publication Date: March 1995 | Edition: 2nd

"This book endeavors to present Michigan's history in a different fashion. To be sure, there are the traditional accounts of the French and British, the rise of the automobile industry, and the tales of lumbering and mining--no story of Michigan would be complete without them. However, this volume intends to go beyond the well-known aspects of the state's development; it intends to tell the story of the people of Michigan. Special emphasis is given to American Indians and their fight to survive in a "white man's world," the struggle for black rights and women's suffrage, and the contributions of white ethnics. Nor is this book intended only to glorify the state, its people, and its accomplishments, for that would be a distortion of reality. Thus, stories are told of Ku Klux Klan and Black Legion violence, the anti-Semitism of prominent Michiganians such as Henry Ford and Father Charles Coughlin, the disregard for civil liberties during the "Red Scares" of 1919-20 and the McCarthy period, and the riots, both racial and otherwise, which have plagued the state since 1837." Includes maps and many illustrations.

Product Details

• Paperback: 295 pages
• Publisher: Harlan Davidson; 2nd edition (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882959190
• ISBN-13: 978-0882959191
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,206,569 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, light history!, May 9, 2008

By 

F. Michael Ciletti (Jackson, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State (Paperback)

I use this book for my History 329 class in Michigan history. The other book I considered was the Willis Dunbar history of the state, which is the classic text, but it is pretty ponderous to assign to undergrads. This book is light, with good short chapters and good organization. My students seem to like it.

The book is well written. It is concise and highlights important and interesting events pretty well. Does not dwell in some if the minute detail that the Dunbar book does. I would say if you are looking for a good quick read to get up to speed on Michigan history, this is a good choice.

8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michigan : A History of the Great Lakes State, November 10, 2000

By 

Wood Chip Maker (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State (Paperback)

I was in Doctor Rubenstein's Michigan History class at the University of Michigan-Flint in the late 70's. This book contains information from primary research papers from students not only in the class I was in but several other of Doctor Rubenstein's classes. I enjoyed his classes because the information presented not only contained the standard information people receive from high school history classes but also in depth accounts of what really was going on during those times. When I read this book it is like I am reliving those wonderful history classes. I highly recommend this book and any others Doctor Rubenstein has written. You will gain a vast wealth of knowledge about the real Michigan history. I own one of the first printings of this book and will keep it in my library as a cherished memento.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars scholary but never obscure, December 23, 2003

By 

C. Kupfer (Camp Hill, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State (Paperback)

Professors Rubenstein and Ziewacz, successful collaborators on other books, have pulled off a triumph. Well-suited for the classroom, the book is compelling enough for a lay reader interested in any aspect of the rich history of the Great Lakes State. The touch of Lawrence Ziewacz's unique perspective on politics and culture is much in evidence here, and reading the book gives this former colleague the delightful sense of revisiting some of his riveting discussions on Michigania at Michigan State University, where he was a professor for many years. His recent passing means that this volume is the best way to recapture the power of his mature scholarship and prose stylings. A handsome volume, solid and smooth, well-illustrated, too. The definitive book of its type!