After reading the book I realized that I was not alone. I think there are many others out there from the '70's who were in the same boat and did not have anyone to talk to about the abuse they were suffering at home. Like the author, we went to school to escape home life. I think it is a great book and that everyone should read this true to life story of survival. It lets you know there is still a chance for all of us to land on our feet.

Caryn has wrote a great but sometimes sad, sometimes happy book about growing up in the 70's. Though I am a personal friend of the author, I believe the reader will throughly enjoy this book and be able to relate to it from their own growing pains. We had lots of fun in that era and hope you will join the adventure. Just watch out for the holes in the ground :-)

In her book, Living Crazy Like Fly, author Caryn Suarez invites her readers to travel with her on a journey from the depths of depression to the euphoria of joy, and back again. Author Suarez's has done an able job as she writes of a young woman's daily trek from hell to heaven, from home to school.

It takes courage for one to write of something so personal, so tragic. And yet Ms. Suarez has provided us an opportunity to explore, with her, the dark corners of that young woman's life and to see the skeletons in the closets of the place she called home for so many painful years.

To you readers:I hope you plan on giving Ms. Suarez a chance to share with you the heart felt story of one woman's tragedy and triumph, of her heartbreak and joy, by buying a copy of this remarkable book.

To Ms. Suarez: I hope you plan on sharing with us, in writing, more of your thoughts and stories.

In general I like travel guides written by natives of the area, but often they don't tell the whole story to the visitor. Such is the case with this book. There are lots of off-beat sidebars and native perspective. While it contained lots of good information and "inside scoop" it also falls short in some respects. For example, many restaurants and other attractions are described as being on "the hill" and there is even a sidebar that explains the culture of "the hill" yet no where in the book was the geographical location of "the hill" given. Hotels, restaurants, etc. are also categorized by neighborhood which is an idea I LOVE, and there are descriptions of what type of environment comprises each area, yet there are no maps or other descriptions to tell you the boundaries of these neighborhoods.

Another area in which this book fails miserably is in the maps. They would be OK if they were ACCURATE. They are not -- in fact the location of several restaurants on the restaurant map are flat-out wrong, and the map of Forest Park was misleading at best. It also seems that a book of this publication date would have noted the extensive renovation, redesign, and road construction in Forest Park that was years in the planning and which is in the first year of a multi-year project. The Jewel Box is closed for all of 2002. Given the lack of signage in the park itself as well as the many construction-blocked routes, an accurate, detailed map would have been invaluable. As it was I got LOST and spent an hour wandering around on foot before reaching my destination.

Finally, this is a 100% positive book. I'm sure that made the tourism board in St. Louis happy, but I appreciate a guidebook that has the guts to say, "XYZ is not worth a visit because ...." I also got the feeling the author ran out of steam with a lot of descriptions and couldn't think of anything to say beyond a generic thumbnail.

So, since I never buy only one guide book to an area I was happy with what I got out of this book, but was also glad I had another guidebook and an excellent map with me as well.

Ms. Feldman does a fine job in capturing some of St. Louis' more sublime features. She writes this book as only someone who loves the area and has lived there for a long time can.

My family and I use this to find out about some of the lesser-known (at least to those not from St. Louis) attractions in the St. Louis metro area. For example, we were able to track down a real pumpkin patch so that my son could pick out his own pumpkins for Halloween. Also, we learned about the Butterfly House, an amazing climate-controlled "greenhouse" that houses several colorful species of butterflies.

Ms. Feldman also gives tips on getting around St. Louis, discusses the variety of restaurants available, and spends significant time discussing evening activities such as plays, opera, and nightclubs.

This book was instrumental in helping us dive in and enjoy what St. Louis has to offer. I appreciated the author's insight into St. Louis. She added opinions and insight that readers will not find in other city guides.

I moved to St. Louis about 1 year ago, and I bought this book to get myself familiarized with lovely St. Louis. Becauise of this book, I've known restaurants and places that many locals have never heard of. I still use the book as a reference when looking for something else to do, read on a restaurant, or when out of town guests come.

If you will visit St. Louis for some time, get this great little book. If you live here, then get this book and pay tribute to where you live!

This book has been over-rated. Promoted as the "summer of 1977" this picture book is apparently the result of one or two afternoons (a Cleveland day game). Don't expect any pictures of baseball or the White Sox (there are 2-3), even though 1977 was one of the most exciting years in their history. While the pictures capture some of the parks' essence, they are very depressing. 90% are shots of forlorn fans that look like they are watching a last place team, when in fact this was a first place team. Old comisky had a lot of beauty that was missed here. I was there that summer and it didn't look like that.

This book has nothing to do with baseball and everything to do with people and community and one unique little corner of the world as it looked 24 years ago. I enjoyed it and I wasn't there. Looking at it with someone who was is even more fun.

As a lifelong Sox fan it was a real treat to open this book and be swept back in time to old Comiskey Park. Looking at the pictures gave me a chance to appreciate and enjoy what I never had paid much attention to at the the time- other fans around me. The place was a dump and we all loved it anyway. With such great detail in the photos I felt right away like my godfather and I were watching one more game together. Thanks for the book Mr. Elliott, for me it's a memory album.

I have lived in the mitten state my entire life. I love it. Michigan ROCKS. This book is more like a funeral dirge... I think that is a common problem with these low budget tour book companies that churn out books about places written, very often it seems, by non natives. I think you are better off using AAA guides.

I travel for a living and have to go to Detroit quite a bit. People often groan when I tell them that but I have learned that Detroit and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer! I was disappointed with this book because of its colorless, soulless treatment of a very dynamic place. It reads more like a term paper than a travel guide. I have read guides to Michigan by seasoned writers who treated the subject matter with the heart and excitement it deserves. I would definitely pass this one up and keep shopping.

If you want the usual listings drivel for tourists, then, yes, go buy the AAA guide and learn all about how to get to crowded campgrounds and outlet malls. But if you're truly interested in your children's education and entertainment, this book is wonderfully written from a lifetime Michigan native who "kid-tested" her carefully selected listings.

Mr. Dwelle's book is interesting. There is no better or more complete history of the cities and towns that make up the Great Lakes region, making Summer Studies a surprising and valuable textbook.

Dwelle is a good storyteller, writing about the people he meets and the places he visits with obvious affection. And the setbacks that befall all sailors one time or another are here, often told with great humor.

However, Summer Studies suffers from several colosssal flaws. There is no discernible system of organization. It is as if the book was composed on a series of index cards which were then shuffled and made into a book.

Dwelle also never misses the opportunity to insult those who own powerboats. According to Dwelle, they are all ignorant buffoons who have no right to share his precious lakes, but in the book he never takes the time to give the reason for his bigotry.

Dwelle also unwisely allows his leftwing political views to get into the way. He says one town, for example, fell into hard times because of "Reganomics," but he is unwilling to elaborate or substantiate his claim.

I struggled over whether to give Summer Studies three or four stars. On content alone, it is superb. But the book screams out for a better editor, who could have shaped it into a five-star winner.

I hope Dwelle is working on a sequel. And I hope he has learned from the mistakes of "Summer Studies."

The book is very enjoyable, with a mixture of cruising and commentary by the author. The author is very opinionated about some matters which makes for speculation as your reading. But the sailling material is excellent and well written and most enjoyable. It's rare to find a really good book about sailing on the Great Lakes.

The first review which criticizes this book is wrong. This is an excellent book. He criticizes it for having opinions, but that is what makes this such an unusual cruising book--not just weather and wind speed and anchorages. An excellent book that offers sailing and alot more. I recommend it highly.

This book, thanks to the very accurate drawings and precise indications (length, diameter, type of wood and fletching, colours indications) have enabled me to duplicate native American arrows with precision. I have often counterchecked the descriptions with some information I have found in museums and found the book very reliable. First pity, there aren't enough photos or colour drawings. Second and most catastrophic pity: why has the publisher apparently given up the idea of publishing the second volume about the Great plains, Columbia and Southwest?

It is true that this book is not a how-to book, but I think that was the author's intention. What it is, is a much-needed reference work, indeed, it is the first and certainly most up-to-date record of American Indian archery equipment. It's been at least 50 years since a book of this sort has been published. My only objection is that the book does not (cannot?) provide enough context or provenance; this is a minor objection. Perhaps fans of Hamm would be more satisfied with Bows and Arrows of the Native Americans. I'd say the book is directed more towards the ethnographer or anthropologist; however, the book is clearly an invaluable reference for the traditional archer/bowyer (hey, this is a "living" hobby - be creative), as it provides dimensions, materials used, colors, and closeups of designs. Fans of American Indian art in gerneral will also appreciate it. Volume II, which should be available before the end of the year, should be at least as good.

I read the two previous reviews, so before buying I exactly knew what to expect.
I received my book a couple of days ago, I really liked it, at least for what it is, a kind of catalog of bows, perfectly drawn, with explanation of wood used, dimensions, and colours.
This on Tribe by Tribe basis.
I'll wait volume 2, about western and Plains Indians.
So, if you are really intrested in Native American bows, this is a book to buy, if you prefer something like a "how to", than the traditional Bowyer's bibles are more fit to what you want. Alberto

I do not like this book at all. Maybe it is because I am used to using Falcon Guides, but when I purchase a hiking or backpacking trail guide I expect good trail narratives, not a description of the author's hiking experience. I don't care what time they got into camp or what they had for dinner. In a backpacking book I expect some description of water availability from streams, lakes, etc. In this book the authors only describe whether or not public water is available at campsites. Since I have not found this book to be of much use in planning a backpacking trip to Wisconsin, I am now purchasing the Hiking Wisconsin Falcon Guide.

This is a great book. I am into backpacking but never recieved good info about it in our state (I choose to save it for vacations out west - not anymore). I really like how the authors put the book together with ratings of trails and persoanl experience. Excellenet organization. Unlike the other reviewer I think the personal accounts are much needed as they help describe exactly what it was like when the authors were there. This is exactly what Wisconsin backpackers need. I didn't want to make the mistake of going backpacking in Wisconsin and having it turn into something that was too civilized. This book describes what kinds of things are at the campsites or if campsites exist at all(then one must wilderness camp--my favorite). It acts as a guide as to which places will better suite your particular taste for backpacking so you aren't wasteing your whole summer trying to find good places to go.

This is a pretty darn good book. I live in Milwaukee and am pretty familiar with most of the places described. The info is accurate, and there's enough of it. A lot of good maps, too. The authors have divided the state into 5 backpacking regions and in each region they've listed many of the best backpacking parks and trails. It's satisfying to know that the authors have themselves backpacked most of the areas they describe. A lot of good stuff in this book, including general backpacking "how-to" info in the first part, but... There is one piece of advice that I think is poorly thought out. On page 25, their advice is to not bring a cell phone into the woods and that it is of little potential help. They talk of the subject in somewhat unrealistic terms, and only of getting lost in the woods and completely ignore other potential problems such as a medical emergency. As an experienced backpacker, I can tell you as they do... DON'T go into the woods if you aren't prepared for emergency and what to do if you get lost, but, if things do go bad and you have a cell phone with you (especially one of those really small, lightweight ones with a wide coverage area) you could be darn glad you brought it. Keep it turned off, use it only in emergencies and pray that it sends and receives OK from your location. This is the biggest potential problem with cell phones in an emergency, but coverage is getting better and technology is giving us more reliability. Their advice should have been (as it is in many other backpacking articles)...Bring a cell phone (with a fresh battery) if you want to, but understand that it is NOT guaranteed to work, keep it turned off except ONLY for emergencies and it is NO SUBSTITUTE for knowledge and smart preperation. Having said that (it's a small point that I made a big deal of)... DO buy this book if your'e looking at a backpacking trip in this wonderful state.

For a research project, I read this book and was awfully disappointed. I love gorillas but I do NOT like this book. The writing could have been better and there could have been more pictures. One thing that really ticked me off was all the history lessons, they flood the beginning of the book and it took me forever to get through them. Also, I feel something is missing: I've been to the Columbus Zoo a few times and this book does not capture the feeling that I get when seeing the gorillas in person. Poor gorillas...
I've never heard of Jeff Lyttle before this review, but I think he could've put just a little more effort into it.

this book is the best! Even though gorillas are not my favorite animal this book made my like them better. Jeff Lyttle used very descriptive words that made me want to keep reading. I hope you buy this book!

I don't generally read non-fiction, but this book was as compelling to me as any novel. I found myself stopping on every page and asking whoever was in the room, "Did you know that..." The study of gorillas is fascinating to me now, due mainly to the style of writing of Jeff Lyttle. You'll love this book!

As the title indicates, this book is a collection of ghost stories and stories about other supernatural phenomenon such as shades and poltergeists. There are 13 chapters (imagine that). By chapter 6 the storyteller's "formula" begins to emerge and the stories become rather predictable. The storyteller (Kuclo) is a (self-proclaimed) witch (see page xi of the preface)of the Scottish coven of Green Witches. She is affectionately known as "Gundella". In addition to her stories, Gundella provides guidelines for the use of the Ouija board and instructions on how to hold a seance. This book was not as much fun as I thought it would be. I cannot recommend it to anyone.

Kuclo in her preface presents some interesting facts about witchcraft in the British Isles during the Middle Ages and her descent from the Green Witches of Scotland. This would make an interesting subject for a book on its own. In Michigan Haunts and Hauntings not only does she present ghost stories but also includes folklore, spirit communication techniques, poltergeists, phantasms of the living (astral projection), place memories (Shades in the Night) and exorcism. The poltergeist chapter is the most detailed I've read in the books I've reviewed for Amazon.com about paranormal phenomenon. I believe however that it's not shades and poltergeist activity that haunt the Bower's Harbor Inn but instead the ghosts of the original owners.

Kuclo provides maps showing where these areas are located so that readers can investigate for themselves. She inspired me. There are two stories that I'm planning on looking into because I want more information than she provided. I enjoyed Haunts!

Being the co-founder of the Michigan Anomalous Information Network, I am often asked by people "where would be a good place to start researching strange happenings in Michigan." This book is where I send them. Marion was a charming person and insightful writer. She explains stories and legends with a quick clarity that most writers lack. This is a must have book for anyone interested in Michigan and it's paranormal history.

I was very disappointed in this book. The recipes and crafts didn't seem nearly as well perfected as in the authors other books. For example, applesauce cinnamon ornaments did not include glue (which makes them much sturdier, smoother, less breakable, and resistant to bugs). Had the author done any checking whatsoever, she would have learned this -- but seemed more eager in rushing to press than in perfecting the recipes/projects. I was very disappointed.

Marcia Adams Heartland is a beautfully done cookbook.Ihave all her books and watch her tv shows.Irecommend it to any one who is a fan or just likes to eat good food.I am waiting for any new ones to come out.

Are we on a wait too? for how many Months???