The Turtle, The Mitten, and An Epic History of Michigan

by Aaron Helman

Part travel, part history, part adventure, and 100% Pure Michigan, The Turtle, The Mitten, and An Epic History of Michigan tells the irresistible story of the Wolverine State from the receding glaciers to the indigenous tribes to the European colonialists to the lumber kings, auto barons, and culture shapers who helped create the America we recognize today.

This honest and unvarnished account travels through the history of the glorious and gritty parts of Detroit, the ancient forests decimated and then regrown, dozens of charming lakeside tourist towns, and the battlefields that made Michigan a theater in international wars.

Discover the lost town of Singapore, buried beneath the sand dunes 150 years ago. Visit the beaches that once belonged to the Union Pier Nudist Club, a collection of Chicago writers who reshaped the western canon. Pause at the intersection at Phillips Corners where Michigan and Ohio went to war over Toledo. Linger in the beating heart of Detroit, the most American city there ever was.

Aaron Helman is a historian, storyteller, writer, and podcaster. He is the author of four acclaimed history books, including Ride the Jack Rabbit and An Incomplete History of St. Joseph County, Indiana.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

256 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2025

Reviews

[Erin Cataldi]

I won't lie, I was not very impressed looking at the cover. Where are the commas? Is this just a stock photo or AI? But man, I REALLY enjoyed this book when I started reading it. I've vacationed in Michigan several times but I've never made it further north than Saugatuck. Author, Aaron Helman is a cyclist and he framed this history book through his bike ride around Michigan's mitten. He tells the story of Detroit's rise and fall, the lumber barons, the Indigenous tribes, the wrecked ships, the dunes, the fight for land, and more. It's not a linear history, nor is it exhaustive, but it's a captivating history of a beautiful state. As a Hoosier, I've long been jealous of their beautiful scenic vistas and vacation hot spots (no one is coming to Indiana for vacation). This book made me appreciate the state even more and makes me want to visit all the places that that Aaron biked through. I really appreciated his wit and humor, this was a laugh out loud funny and educational. I enjoyed this travel book so much that I want to read more by this author! Look past the cover and you will love this book. The only thing that could have improved this would be a map of the state with all the towns and the bike route taken.

[Adarae Rempel]

So well written!! I learned so much about my home state, and laughed so much along the way! BRB, going to go share this book with my fam.

[Cheryl]

If you live, have ever lived, thought about visiting or living, or don't even care about the State of Michigan you need to read this book! "The Turtle, The Mitten, and An Epic History of Michigan" is exactly that- EPIC. I have lived in the state for over 60 years and have never been so engaged in the history of Michigan. I took a Michigan History class in high school and if the teacher had just read this book (of course it hadn't even been written yet) I would have been so much more interested and learned so much more about my home state. Author, Aaron Helman, takes you on this fantastic loop around the shorelines mixing in humor with the historical beginnings of several Michigan towns. Of course, in the background of the story is the fact that this whole area of land never belonged to those who claimed to have settled it. The earliest forefathers were the Indian tribes who were tricked, bribed, and cheated out of their homes in order for the land to be destroyed all for the love of money.

[Kim Johnson]

An absolute joy to read! As both a cyclist and a lifelong Michigander (currently reside in Frankenmuth), I felt a wonderful mix of envy and empathy while following Aaron's journey around the lower peninsula of our state. It's a fantastic blend of travelogue and memoir that taught me so much about Michigan's fabulous landscape. Aaron’s storytelling is engaging—he's incredibly knowledgeable and funny. His relentlessly positive attitude and ability to appreciate the little moments made this book a winner. Bravo Aaron!!

[Renate Deutsche Oma]

As a Michigander, retired American literature teacher, and back roads traveler, who has lived in 6 Mitten cities I enjoyed the historical anecdotes in Aaron Helman's book The Turtle, The Mitten. I chuckled at the mention of Carl Sandburg and Ernest Hemingway. Since my brother owned a bicycle shop and my husband was an avid biker, I was intrigued at the 1500 mile trip around the Mitten. I wasn't aware of the Michigan shifting border disputes, especially with Toledo, Ohio and Indiana. Aaron Helman's view of Detroit and the Twin Cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, plus the washing of Native American history were somewhat concerning / negative at times. Aaron Helman is not a historian, but has a good spirit and sense of humor. All evident in his presentation Michigan's Shifting Borders at the Lincoln Township Public Library, Stevensville, MI. An intriguing read about lesser known Michigan cities and their histories.

[Christy Mcfadden]

I bought this book at Snowbound books in Marquette. I share a love for book stores and coffee shops (and ice cream) like the author. Great read with a lot of great historical info and funny wit throughout. Creative way of learning history via a bike ride. I feel like the next one should be all about women in Michigan’s history!

[Jenna Parks]

This was fine- the parts I liked I really liked.

The history vignettes were very interesting but the rest was repetitive and got old quick. His view of Detroit is concerning as was using “Indian summer” in a book that mentions the white washing of Native American history so many times. Weird choice!

[Darlene Hathaway]

Such an amazing book. I’m not a lover of history books but this was so much fun to read. I learned some interesting history about the state I’ve grown up in and enjoyed the “ride” with Mr. Helman. I’ve recommended this book to many of my “reader” friends. Thank you, the title intrigued me to borrow the book from my library and I’m so glad they were able to get it for me.

[Patrick Tarbox]

As a beginner to Michigan history and culture, I definitely enjoyed it, but there is also a saltiness and critical eye to this where if you are looking for Michigan red meat, this might not be for you. It was fun though!

[Julie Clark]

Good information on the history of the shoreline and southern boundary of Michigan. A fun bike ride exploring the cities and unique information I didn't know about Michigan before it was a state and founding of many towns. Fun read

[Hannah Davidhizar]

Interesting, entertaining, & warming. Great awareness of who really lived in Michigan first. Not me Google all the ice cream, beer, and sunset references to add to my bucket list.

[John Bagley]

A lot of fun ... whether you are from The Mitten or not. Interesting facts in this trip around the Lower Peninsula.

[Renee Putman]

Take a trip around Michigan and learn some history. The war of Toledo, Underground railroad, how counties got their names. Things you may not have known.

[Monica]

Learned a lot about my home state of Michigan. Interesting history of small towns I’ve visited.

[Betty Dageforde]

The author bicycles around Michigan and shares anecdotes about the history of Michigan. It was very interesting and readable, but a map in the book would have been helpful.

[Cindy Walker]

page 188: Michilimackinac translates to "Big Turtle" .. the native people were
referring to Mackinac Island, not the Lower Peninsula. the LP is the Mitten.

also, the beginning of the book talks about Gen. George Custer, but there was no mention of Ft. Custer training grounds or Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta/Battle Creek. both are kind of a big deal to the state and nation.

sorry to be critical, but those two facts bother me.

I enjoyed the writing style of the author & his wit, and it was like he was a friend talking about the bike ride along the way.

However, this book needs to be written by a Michigander. There was so much about thus beautiful state the was left out.

[Heather Graham]

I love Michigan and I enjoyed learning more about the history of the state. It got a little boring at times but I'm glad I stuck with it.