The Legend Lives On: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
The Legend Lives On: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
compiled by Bruce Lynn and Christopher Winters
Running Light Press • ISBN: 978-0-9814766-1-2 • Available at shipwreckmuseum.com • $50.00 Hardcover
A masterwork more than 10 years in the making, this newest contribution to the history and the lore of the Edmund Fitzgerald actually adds an important element long missing from books of the past.
Inside this beautifully printed coffeetable volume, you will be most struck by the faces of the crew members gathered from old family photos. Unlike any other review of the November 10, 1975, wreck of the ill-fated freighter, this book emphasizes the human loss along with the 729-foot vessel and 26,116-ton cargo.
This book was conceived and executed under the auspices of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. Society Executive Director Bruce Lynn, a co-author, admits that when it comes to selling gift shop items with the image of the Fitzgerald, he always tries to respect the surviving families while juggling the financial needs of the museum intent on keeping the memory of the ship and crew alive.
With this book, though, there was no need to be torn about “commercializing” the terrible loss of 29 crew members. The final three-quarters of the book has few words at all, only those identifying the cornucopia of images showing the Edmund Fitzgerald, the various crew members, newspaper clippings from the time of the wreck and paintings created since the tragedy became a part of popular culture.
In this book, not just the legend of a ship lives on, but so do the human lives, the true reason its loss was a tragedy that will haunt for a long time to come.
Upper Great Lakes Paranormal Files
Upper Great Lakes Paranormal Files
by Don Hermanson
Keweenaw Video Productions • Available at keweenawvideo.com • $19.95 DVD
Don calls it his Upper Great Lakes “greatest hits.” Most of these spooky encounters happen by Lake Superior. As with his other videos, these fun productions bring a bit of travelogue, a bit of local history and a lot of local people explaining their very personal ghostly tales. Seven of the eight stories happen at lighthouses in Michigan and Wisconsin.
Don’t expect refined acting or “Star Wars” graphics, but you will enjoy real people telling and re-enacting their own experiences along with the eerie visual tidbits Don cleverly adds.
Locally Laid
Locally Laid
by Lucie B. Amundsen
Avery Books • ISBN: 978-1-59463-422-2 • Available at www.locallylaid.com • $26.00 Hardcover
Lucie’s memoir doesn’t match the unearthly tone of the other books here. In fact, these are very earthy experiences as a genial family (Lucie, Jason, Abbie and Milo) create an egg farm near Duluth. The name they chose – Locally Laid, with all chickens named “Lola” – reveals folks with tongues firmly in cheeks. But even over-the-top optimism must contend with frustrating roadblocks on the way to founding a farm that’s fair to chickens and people. Each page packs I-didn’t-know-that food industry details. The chickens are clucky, and these honest folks are plucky. You’ll cheer for their success.