Michilimackinac: A Tale of the Straits [Paperback]

David A. Turrill (Author), Patricia Von Strohe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1989

This rich and captivating historical novel captures the events and occupants of Fort Michilimackinac, Michigan during the French and Indian War. Detailed descriptions of the Ottawa, Pottawatomi, and Ojibway tribes, their partnerships with French trappers, the intrusion of the Anglais and the resulting bloodshed are skillfully shared in this gripping tale of the Straits.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

An incredible amount of digging has gone into reconstructing life during French and British rule. It's lively reading. -- Detroit Free Press

Turrill breathes life into the ghosts of Michilimackinac. He creates a living history lesson, adding rich detail of pioneer life. -- The Saginaw News --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

David Turrill was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, where he has lived most of his life. The author has bachelor's and master's degrees in history from Saginaw Valley State University and has been a teacher of literature and history in Michigan secondary schools for over thirty years. He is also the author of A Bridge to Eden. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 466 pages
• Publisher: Wilderness Adventure Books (October 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0923568042
• ISBN-13: 978-0923568047
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,106,536 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tale Well Told, November 24, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Michilimackinac: A Tale of the Straits (Paperback)

After reading Turrill's book A Bridge To Eden (which is a great read)I was not sure if this book could live up to Bridge. It was written about ten years earlier and is historical fiction. I was impressed with the amount of time he must have spent on this novel. The research and basic story is enough for me to recommend this book. The kicker is that it is so well written. Most historical fiction I have read can be very 'dry' but Turrill keeps it all fresh and moving. After reading both Turrill's books I must say that I look forward to anything he publishes in the future. His literary fiction is great and his historical fiction is very fine. Highly recommended!!

5.0 out of 5 stars The history of the Straits of Mackinaw come alive and transport you back in time., July 26, 2011

By 

barb - See all my reviews

This review is from: Michilimackinac: A Tale of the Straits (Paperback)

This book was so well written that the pages came alive and I was transported back in time. The author, David A. Turrill, must have put in a tremendous amount of time researching the history of the area as well as the culture and language of the time. I really enjoyed this book!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Get this man a dictionary, June 9, 2007

By 

R. Jordan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Michilimackinac: A Tale of the Straits (Paperback)

An enjoyable read, especially if you're not over-particular about language or have an extensive knowledge of the material culture of the time and place. Read it as a good tale imparting the major historic events; not much is written about Charles Langlade and it ought to be.

The events of history are well-depicted and the story is marvelously readable. The real problems with the book are the lack of understanding of the details of material culture (Natives are depicted with material culture much more in line with what existed 75 years prior to the beginning of the book rather than what existed at the time, for example) and worse, the complete misuse of vocabulary. I was willing to grant the use of "belie" for "betray" - a lot of people make that one. However, there is no excuse for the phrase "its chimney smoked vociferously." That error, and the others like it, should never have made it into the final draft.