ARBUTUS PRESS
Publishing fine books on Michigan and Midwest
travel, history, architecture, mysteries and literary fiction since 1998.
Midwest Books | Midwest Authors | Midwest Publisher
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A short jaunt from the northern Michigan vacation Mecca of Traverse City, Michigan is the delightful village of Leland. It is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan and has been a vibrant part of the fishing industry in Michigan since 1900.
At that time, the fishermen built fish shacks or shanties near the Carp River's banks where it flowed into Lake Michigan. The shanties evolved with time, adding on, building more shacks, building docks and boardwalks, net drying racks, tug equipment and soon there was an industry, a community alive and vibrant. It became FISHTOWN. In Laurie Sommers new book, the history of this place by the water's edge, comes alive with harrowing stories of fishing adventures, fishing business and a fishing community close to the earth and to the sea. |
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FISHTOWN: Leland, Michigan's Historic Fishery
Laurie Kay Sommers
ISBN 978-1-933926-46-9
$19.95
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For more information about Fishtown,
contact Fishtown Preservation Society
in Leland, Michigan
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Tasting and Touring Michigan's Home Grown Food:
A Culinary Roadtrip
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ISBN 978-1-933926-31-5, retail 29.95
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Dianne Caroll Burdick
photographer |
   his author Capt. Tony Petrella's web sites:
www.tightloopsflyfishing.com
www.MichiganFishingandHunting.com
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Capt. Petrella:
GREAT book! I'm mad at ya, I had stuff to do this afternoon and sat down for a second. Just gonna read a page or two of your book now it's four o'clock and my afternoon's shot because I couldn't put the book down. Well done, my man, well done. Just a great read!
Victor Edwards
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Ghost! Field Journal of a Bird Dog
by
Capt. Tony Petrella
978-1-933926-43-8
$18.95
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Ghost's Biography/Petigree
Manistee River Ghost was born May 15, 1997 in Cheboygan, Michigan, out of Northern Pioneer Patty by Induna Oscar. She won first place six times and second place twice in field trials, but it was her prowess as a hunter--from her pedigree of Ghost Train's Fancy, Ghost Train's Delight, and the grandfather of them all, the legendary Ghost Train--that brought her fame.
Ghost was renowned for her dominant personality and unerring nose for bird scent. But it was perhaps her incredibly expressive eyes that made her truly unforgettable. At the sound of a shot she could, in an instant, alternately convey absolute love or utter reproach with one human-like glance.
No matter how staunch others might be, there unquestionably will never be another Ghost!
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Crisp October mornings were made for following an English setter through spectacular upland grouse coverts, and no dog ever did it better than Manistee River Ghost.
From the very first day, her life centered around one thing—finding birds—and she did it magnificently. She made her first woodcock retrieve when she was 21 weeks old, and ultimately became so famous that hunters came from around the world to marvel at her phenomenal skill.
Now you can read about her joy, her pain, and the people who admired her, in Captain Tony Petrella’s book
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 Grace and Grit: Motorcycle Dispatches from Early Twentieth Century Women
by William Murphy
ISBN 978-1-933926-40-7
18.95 paperback
Author Bill Murphy’s driving ambition and tireless research turns up the stories of five women from 1910 to 1916 who set out to pave the way for women adventurers. They packed their motorcycles with tents, tools and tenacity and charged ahead on cross country routes to make a point: that women were strong, capable and fearless. The roads were dirty and dusty, some merely cowpaths, and fuel was hard to find. Flat tires and broken chains were left to their own ingenuity and know-how to repair. And the weather ranged from rain for days to unrelenting desert sun. They endured. Here is the incredible story of daring young women in the Victorian era who chose the adventure of the ultimate road trip on two wheels. |
REVIEWS
This well-researched and engaging book delves not only into the specific lives, rides and accomplishment of pioneer female motorcyclists early in the 20th Century, but also the times in which they lived. By detailing the poor road system and the limitations placed upon women in this era, it offers an inspirational story of what these riders accomplished with their epic cross-country motorcycle trips nearly a century ago. Best of all, both men and women will enjoy reading about their guts, grit and determination. –Bill Stermer, Contributor, Rider magazine
It's simply part of human nature to think of ourselves as more innovative and inventive than any of the previous generations.This is especially true for 21st Century denizens of the planet, who increasingly seem to disdain anything that happened farther in the past then, say, about 10 minutes ago.That's why I get such a kick out of finding these relatively obscure motorcycle tales describing true pioneers -- riders that blazed trails we couldn't even imagine, much less experience. They were doing things most of us haven't even thought of -- and they were doing it before our grandparents were even born...We're talking 100 years ago, more or less; blacktop or even "improved" roads were basically non-existent. You think hopping on an Interstate -- or even a "Blue Highway" -- and riding coast-to-coast is and adventure? Try doing it in 1910 -- that's right -- 1910. Two-wheeled transportation was brand new and that coast-to-coast ride meant plowing new trails (literally) on 3.5 horsepower machines with leather belt drive and 28" wheels. But wait -- that's not all. Many of these true adventurers were women! In 2012, that should come as no surprise, because we're (hopefully) enlightened enough to realize the sexes are indeed equal. But 1910? This was a time when there were specific expectations for women:
" 'Proper' girls of this time, especially in urban America and Great Britain, spend much of their days in 'correct' clothing, engaged in pursuits such as sewing, reading, playing the piano, and other genteel pastimes which guaranteed that they would not get dirty, sunburned or exposed to unsavory persona and behavior' ".
Grace and Grit: Motorcycle Dispatches From Early Twentieth Century Women by William M. Murphy is a very detailed and well-researched book that describes just how some of these "proper girls" completely smashed any and all of the expected norms of behavior to follow their dream. Murphy first takes us on a well-documented survey of the U.S. landscape of 1900 to 1920, describing a time that none of us remember or could imagine. Once you were off the cobblestone streets of the big city, even by a few miles, you were riding in the same conditions experienced by the original pioneers on horseback. This history of American road development is an interesting story in its own right, but it then leads into a discussion of the American "love affair" with the motorcycle. The second half of the book then describes "The Victorian Girls Breaking All the Rules", including detailed histories of Della Crewe, Effie and Avis Hotchkiss and the Van Buren sisters and their incredible around-America two-wheeled adventures.
Their barrier-breaking stories are very detailed and comprehensive and they basically put to shame any modern-day adventurer with that $20,000+ motorcycle, cell phone and modern conveniences. And these women did it purely for the challenge. The shock for the modern reader comes from our assumption that we know it all and have done it all, only to discover that our efforts are puny in comparison. Thanks to Arbutus Press and William M. Murphy for bringing these stories to the attention of modern motorcyclists!
Review Date: March 2012, webbikeworld.com
Bill's Web site
Grace and Grit website
& Bill's Book Tour
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AWARD WINNING
Vintage Views of the West Michigan Pike
M. Christine Byron & Thomas R. Wilson
ISBN 978-1-933926308
$35.00
2011 Michigan Notable Book
awarded by the Library of Michigan
The West Michigan Pike, now US-31, is a 400-mile meandering ribbon of road, hugging the coast of Lake Michigan from Michigan City, Indiana to Mackinaw City, Michigan and passing through many small beach towns along the way. Its 1913 slogan, “Lakeshore All the Way” sums up the main feature of this gem of a travel route. The road is sometimes called Michigan’s Route 66.
In their new book, Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike: From Sand Trails to US-31, seasoned authors M. Christine Byron & Thomas R. Wilson tell the story of this road’s early beginning as serpentine sand trails and rutted dirt pathways and its transformation to US-31 used by today’s traveler.
Review from Mittenlit.com
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Christine Byron and Thomas Wilson are authors of three previous award winning books:
Vintage Views of Leelanau County
Vintage Views of the Charlevous and Petosky Region
Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region |
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 The Fool's Errand
Six years ago, Frank Tavohnen accidentally killed his then wife in the basement of their Petoskey, Michigan home. An overzealous prosecutor who believes the killing was no accident uncovers new evidence. Frank is hauled out of his Grosse Pointe home and arrested for murder. But all is not lost...yet. Suzanne Fairchild, the sister of Frank’s new wife tries to recruit her former lover, Burr Lafayette, to defend Frank. Burr, in his late forties and recently divorced, is the deposed head of the litigation department of a major Detroit law firm. He is a reluctant advocate having no interest or experience in this or any criminal case. A man at loose ends, Burr much prefers duck hunting with his yellow lab, fly fishing with his law partner, and the pleasures of good red wine. Nontheless, he is a brilliant litigator and Suzanne finally persuades him to take the case. To prepare for the trial, Burr moves his office to his leaky sailboat in Harbor Springs, just across Little Traverse Bay from Petoskey. He soon discovers there are more secrets buried in Frank’s basement and hidden in Petoskey than Suzanne ever let on. The case turns out to be more than a murder trial, and Burr finds his own life in danger.
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 Echoes of Distant Thunder
Twenty-year old Michigan farm boy Will Castor finds his life changed forever as he is thrust into the harsh realities of nineteenth-century combat on the last day of the battle of Chickamauga. Wounded physically and mentally, Will escapes the battlefield aided by a war weary Confederate deserter, but can’t escape the echoes of death and horror that will remain with him for the rest of his life. Echoes of Distant Thunder is a compelling historical drama vividly portraying Michigan’s rich history, landscape and participation in the Civil War. Author Frank P. Slaughter, a reenactor with Battery D First Michigan Light Artillery, brings stark realism to the battle scenes with his knowledge of Civil War tactics and munitions.
| Echoes of Distant Thunder |
| Frank P. Slaughter/ Historical fiction |
| ISBN 978-1-933926-36-0 |
$18.95 More info Reviews
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Rick Liblong's books is a selection of the compelling stories of eighteen men from a small town in Michigan before, during and after the Civil War, told by and from the point of view of the soldiers themselves. One man saved George Armstrong Custer’s life, three died at Gettysburg, two were prisoners of war. One was a doctor, another a bugler, and another raised a company of cavalry troops and died leading them into battle with Gen. Custer. Some lived to old age and five brothers served together. This book takes a different approach, concentrating on the men from one small town and its surrounding area in Michigan.
Answering the Call to Duty:Saving Custer, Heroism at Gettysburg, POWs and other Stories of Michigan’s Small Town Soldiers
Rick Liblong/ non-fiction
ISBN 978-1-933926-29-2
$17.95 More info
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Doc Fletcher's Guides to 20 rivers in each book and 20 reasons
to get out and paddle down a river near you.
Canoeingmichiganrivers.com
Doc provides the river maps, directions and phone numbers for canoe liveries, paddle time on the river, a little town history, and a great tavern to gather at the end of a day on the river.
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Paddling Michigan's Hidden Beauty: The Rivers, the Towns, The Taverns
Doc Fletcher
ISBN 978-1-933926-39-1
18.95 ~ paperback ~200 ~ maps
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Weekend Canoeing in Michigan:
The Rivers, The Towns, The Taverns
Doc Fletcher
ISBN 978-1-933926-09-4
17.95 ~ paperback ~ 176 pages ~ maps
Review Bay City Times
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Michigan Rivers Less Paddled:
The Rivers, The Towns, The Taverns
Doc Fletcher
ISBN 978-1-933926-19-3
18.95 ~ paperback ~ 192 pages ~ maps
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Canoeing and Kayaking Wisconsin:
The Rivers, the Towns, The Taverns
Doc Fletcher
ISBN 978-1-933926-28-5
18.95 ~ paperback ~ 208 pages ~ maps
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Click cover to buy a copy
Scenic vistas, small villages and miles and miles of soul satisfying roads including the Big Circle route that edges the state are included in WILLIAM MURPHY's latest addition in the Motorcycling Across America series. Bill writes, "Wisconsinites are fortunate indeed for their roads that dip and climb, twist, and turn: roads that excite the soul rather than deaden the senses." Hop on and let Bill show you the 19 mapped routes through historic places and more.
ISBN 978-1933926-2-09
$17.95
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ISBN
978-1-933926-05-6
$17.95 |
Motorcycling Across Michigan
ISBN
978-0-9766104-6-5
$17.95 |
Motorcycling Across Ohio
ISBN
978-1-93392614-8
$17.95 |
Visit
Bill Murphy's web site
Bill's motorcycling adventures blog
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EXPLORE YOUR OWN BACK YARD
Driving Michigan: Mile by Mile on I-75
by Leslie Mertz
Ever wonder where the Institute of Snow Research was located? (Michigan Technological University.) When do black bears give birth to their young? (In the dead of winter.) What state park lies off exit 259? (The 9,672 acre Hartwick Pines State Park, the largest in the Lower Peninsula.)
From Monroe, Michigan to Sault Ste. Marie, this guide will enliven the highway miles with interesting facts about what's at the exits and mile-markers along the way. Brain Buster Quizzes challenge travelers to answer questions on an easy, medium and hard question level. Watch the miles fly by as you reach your travel destination.
Reviews
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A Spy on the Bus: Memoir of a Company Rat
by Margean Gladysz
“There will never be another book like this. There simply could not be another Margean Gladysz, who as a young woman was paid by Greyhound, Trailways and other companies to ride buses thousands of miles all over the country in the 1940’s. She was there to spot and report back on drunk, stealing, reckless and nutty bus drivers who should be fired. And its all in her diary-like letters that she sent home at the time. A Spy on the Bus is a treat and a half. I promise.” Jim Lehrer, PBS NewHour anchor.
Summary
Buy
Vintage Views of the Mackinac Straits Region
by Christine Byron and Thomas Wilson.
Price reduction! $20.00
Reviews
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