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The Cut Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

John Wemlinger (Author), Tom Force (Narrator), John V. Wemlinger (Publisher)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 80 ratings
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1871—Manistee County, Michigan.

The lumber industry is the predominant and most powerful business in Northern Michigan and is used to doing whatever it wants to do, wherever it wants.

It is trampling on the rights of a small group of homesteaders whose small 80-acre farms surround Portage Lake. A dam is used to operate a water wheel-driven sawmill, and when the dam's gates are closed, Portage Lake rises 12 to 14 feet above its normal level and floods out 10 to 15 acres of the homesteaders' otherwise tillable land.

The Cut tells the David and Goliath story of the farmers' resolve to overcome Big Lumber's abuse as seen through the eyes of their reluctant leader, Alvin Price, a Civil War veteran who lost an arm at the Battle of Gettysburg.

A work of historical fiction, The Cut is a riveting novel that combines fictional characters with the lavish history of Michigan's late 19th-century lumbering era.

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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 22 minutes
  2. Author
    John Wemlinger
  3. Narrator
    Tom Force
  4. Audible release date
    September 2, 2022
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    John V. Wemlinger
  7. ASIN
    B0BCR8Y2J3
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 22 minutes
Author John Wemlinger
Narrator Tom Force
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date September 02, 2022
Publisher John V. Wemlinger
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0BCR8Y2J3
Best Sellers Rank #293,231 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#485 in Gilded Age Historical Romance
#7,350 in Historical Romance (Audible Books & Originals)
#20,681 in Historical Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
80 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book a good historical fiction narrative that's well researched. They also say it's enjoyable to read.

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ContentResearch quality
9 customers mention "Content"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the content good, historical fiction narrative of how the cut in portage Lake near Onekama, Michigan, and stimulating.

"...and families grow together. Wemlinger has produced a stimulating tale of love, race, and changing cultures...." Read more

"...a bit twenty first century, but overall an engaging presentation of some local history that I didn't know I wanted to know." Read more

"The Cut had me interested from the beginning and was a very moving story. I loved the characters and was transported back in time to 1870...." Read more

"John Wemlinger is a master at telling compelling and fun accounts of historical events. The book is well researched and enjoyable to read...." Read more

3 customers mention "Research quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well researched and enjoyable to read.

"...The book is well researched and enjoyable to read. If you are from west Michigan, it's a must read...." Read more

"Another wonderful book from John. Highly recommend It!" Read more

"Well researched. Well written. John Wemlinger does it again, this time with historical fiction!!" Read more

Excellent read and the history of Onekama
5 out of 5 stars
Excellent read and the history of Onekama
Loved this book! Great story and was great to lean the history of Onekama,MI.Was on pontoon on Portage Lake and took this picture. The Cut out to Lake Michigan!
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Top reviews from the United States

James E. Elsener
5.0 out of 5 stars A David & Goliath Story - Lumbermen versus Farmers
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2023
Verified Purchase
Author John Wemlinger has produced another fascinating tale of life in northwestern Michigan. "The Cut" is based on a true story that takes place in the 1870s.
Look at a map of Michigan and find the small town of Onekama south of Traverse City. Look closely; you will find a tiny inlet from Portage Lake to Lake Michigan. Wemlinger has crafted a fictional story that explains how that inlet came about. It wasn't always there. It was born out of frustration and anger.
The local farmers and the lumbermen of Michigan were like the cattlemen and sheepherders of the old west - or the Hatfields and McCoys. "The Cut" became the symbol of their feud.
Wounded Civil War veterans Alvin Price and Jeb Washington take matters into their own hands to solve the problem. Their enduring friendship, born in battle, is touching as their lives and families grow together.
Wemlinger has produced a stimulating tale of love, race, and changing cultures. He has a comfortable writing style that does not overstate but keeps the reader involved. If you appreciate good historical fiction, you will enjoy "The Cut."
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Pansy Petal
4.0 out of 5 stars I didn't know that
Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2024
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I was born and raised just south of Manistee. I have traveled through it many times in my life. I have always found it to be a quaint place. However, I was not aware of this fascinating history. To have it presented in such a gripping narrative was another surprise. In some places I found some of the characterizations a bit twenty first century, but overall an engaging presentation of some local history that I didn't know I wanted to know.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful story
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
The Cut had me interested from the beginning and was a very moving story. I loved the characters and was transported back in time to 1870. I attended the 100 year anniversary of the channel in Onekama and I am so glad I have the perspective of this story! Thank you!
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written historical story on Onekama and Manistee.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
John Wemlinger is a master at telling compelling and fun accounts of historical events. The book is well researched and enjoyable to read. If you are from west Michigan, it's a must read. Others will enjoy the storyline and fun facts about nothwestern Michigan. If you have never been to Manistee or Onekama, read this book first, than make the trip to this very cool community.
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David Meekhof
4.0 out of 5 stars A good historical fiction narrative of how the cut in portage Lake near Onekama, Michigan
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
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A good historical fiction narrative of how the cut in portage Lake near Onekama, Michigan was created. Woven into the narrative is a love story between a lumberman's daughter and a farmer's son.
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Marie
5.0 out of 5 stars Historical fiction at it's best!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
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John Wemlinger has masterfully written another five-star novel! From the riveting beginning to the pleasing postlude, he has been able to expertly weave historical events with a fictionalized romance. The reader gets to witness a group's determination to affect change that not only benefited them, but the generations to follow.

John's story includes a spunky young lady, a veteran and a loveable dog! He has developed likeable characters true to the Victorian Period after the Civil War, but yet show progressive thinking for the time. The 150 year old setting evaporates as we see the character struggling with and adjusting to new technology, innovations, and cultural norms, much as we face today.

He has skillfully written another book that you won't want to put down and at the same time hope that it won't end too quickly..
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Amazon customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful historical fiction, with a great local setting
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2021
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This fascinating tale combines a love story with the true drama of The Cut--the contentious hand-made channel that opened a passage between Portage Lake and Lake Michigan, created the charming town of Onekama, and changed the course of history in Northwest Michigan. That this was published in 2021 during the 150th anniversary of "The Cut" is an added bonus.
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Marlene Gohsman
5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoyed The Cut by John Wemlinger
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
The blending of fictional characters with true events made it easy to learn another piece of Michigan history. I let my sister borrow the book and received a text a few days later telling me she was really enjoying The Cut. Thanks for another great story, John Wemlinger!
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