This book provides a nice balance of memoir and factual information about the Great Lakes. The author recounts his experience in a Chicago to Mackinac sailing race and sailing through the Great Lakes from Traverse City to the coast of Maine on a tall ship. In his telling of these adventures and growing up near Lake Michigan, he sprinkles information about the geological formation of the Great Lakes, history and lore of shipwrecks, and such things as sport fishing, water pollution, and the future of the Great Lakes. The book was well-paced and clearly written. Overall, it was entertaining and interesting to read. ( )

rabck from bookstogive; author has lied all his life on Lake Michigan. He talks his way into being a crew member on a tall ship schooner, on a month long journey through the great lakes ending up in Maine. Throughout the book, he interweaves tidbits about current day issues, interviews or researches information from biologists, fishermen, sailors and others, to weave a very comprehensive book on these 3 bodies of fresh water. With the exception of the Erie Canal, and the school acronym "HOMES", I really knew nothing about the lakes. Now I'm inclined to visit some of the museums and other locales mentioned in the book. ( )

The book primarily recounts the voyage of the schooner Malabar from Traverse City to Long Island Sound via the Erie Canal and the Hudson. The author served on the crew along with Hajo, the captain, and Matt, the first mate, and a couple others. He also brings in the Chicago to Mackinac yacht race and a side trip to Lake Superior, ( )

http://tinyurl.com/axjdk7m

Yet another example of fantastic science writing. And my second of two in a row that puts the author front and center in the drama surrounding the science.

Clearly, I am not correct in thinking that Rebecca Skloot was unique in making her personal story an important and integral part of The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Because that's also what Jerry Dennis does in this volume-- in order to tell the story of the Great Lakes, he actually journeys them, describing his feelings and his crew mates' feelings about the adventure, interspersing the adventurous sections with science, history and discussions of pest control.

And in the process, you learn a lot about the Lakes while being entertained. I live smack dab between 3 (4 if you count interestingly) of the Lakes, so this was more interesting to me than perhaps for most peopled. But I'd be surprised if people around the world wouldn't be alternately thrilled, saddened and educated by this book. It's quite well written-- he has a poetic side that does him credit for a book of this scope. How do you appropriately describe waves? Dunes? Vast expanses of blue? Poetry has to be in your blood to do that.

Also, water in general? I have a far healthier respect for all aspects of it than I did before reading this. ( )

Even though I live in Michigan, I was a little concerned when I picked up this book that my interest in the topic wouldn't last the length of the book. Dennis turns out to be an excellent storyteller, however, and provides evocative descriptions of history and his own experiences on the Great Lakes. The thread through the book is a trip he and a mostly seasoned crew took across the Great Lakes, up the Erie Canal, to the Atlantic Ocean, to deliver a tall ship to its new owner. Along the way he fills out the narrative with historical and natural details about the areas they sail through. This sort of book isn't a typical read for me, but it turned out to be an excellent companion this summer. ( )