Michigan: A History of the Great Lakes State

By Bruce A. Rubenstein and Lawrence E. Ziewacz

Book Overview

Informed by the latest research and taking the long and fascinating history of Michigan right up to the present, this fourth edition of the leading survey of the Great Lakes State features a thoughtful redesign of its maps, new photographs, and expanded coverage, including the social and economic impact of tribal operated casino gaming on the state's American Indian population; environmental issues; agriculture; education; the latest developments in the Jimmy Hoffa mystery; literary and media contributions; Michigan's return to prominence in the realm of collegiate and professional sports, politics in the twenty-first century, the revitalization of Detroit, and the deepening economic decline since 2003.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0882952579
• ISBN13: 9780882952574
• Release Date: April 2008
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Length: 360 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Great text

I have this book for a class I am taking for teaching. Great history of the state, not to technical and very easy read. Great even for high school reading.

Fine. Good. Great. :D

EVerything was fine. The product came as described and the service was safe ( a big bonus these days). I would do business w/ them again.

A good, light history!

I use this book for my History 329 class in Michigan history. The other book I considered was the Willis Dunbar history of the state, which is the classic text, but it is pretty ponderous to assign to undergrads. This book is light, with good short chapters and good organization. My students seem to like it. The book is well written. It is concise and highlights important and interesting events pretty well. Does not dwell in some if the minute detail that the Dunbar book does. I would say if you are looking for a good quick read to get up to speed on Michigan history, this is a good choice.

scholary but never obscure

Professors Rubenstein and Ziewacz, successful collaborators on other books, have pulled off a triumph. Well-suited for the classroom, the book is compelling enough for a lay reader interested in any aspect of the rich history of the Great Lakes State. The touch of Lawrence Ziewacz's unique perspective on politics and culture is much in evidence here, and reading the book gives this former colleague the delightful sense of revisiting some of his riveting discussions on Michigania at Michigan State University, where he was a professor for many years. His recent passing means that this volume is the best way to recapture the power of his mature scholarship and prose stylings. A handsome volume, solid and smooth, well-illustrated, too. The definitive book of its type!

Michigan : A History of the Great Lakes State

I was in Doctor Rubenstein's Michigan History class at the University of Michigan-Flint in the late 70's. This book contains information from primary research papers from students not only in the class I was in but several other of Doctor Rubenstein's classes. I enjoyed his classes because the information presented not only contained the standard information people receive from high school history classes but also in depth accounts of what really was going on during those times. When I read this book it is like I am reliving those wonderful history classes. I highly recommend this book and any others Doctor Rubenstein has written. You will gain a vast wealth of knowledge about the real Michigan history. I own one of the first printings of this book and will keep it in my library as a cherished memento.