Call It North Country: The Story of Upper Michigan

Great Lakes Books Series

by John Bartlow Martin, Philip P. Mason (Editor)

John Bartlow Martin, a freelance writer who had spent long weeks in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, was struck with the idea of a book on Michigan's Upper Peninsula when he was there on his wedding trip. Returning each summer to the area, Martin discovered the region's diverse history, full of colorful and interesting personalities and events. The territory has been wilderness, a haunt of the Chippewas and the Hurons, copper country, iron country, lumber country, and lastly, a vacation land.

Filled with stories of adventure and daring, Call It North Country recounts the lives of miners, hunters, trappers, and lumberjacks― the hardy breeds who first populated the harsh land of the Upper Peninsula.

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1986

About the author

John Bartlow Martin was an American journalist, diplomat and author. The American Ambassador to the Dominican Republic from 1962 until 1964, he was a speechwriter and confidant to many American Democratic politicians including Adlai Stevenson, John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Hubert Humphrey.

Reviews

[Kathy Trenary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The U.P. was once the wild west. Seaney once had 100 bars. The fur traders, lumberjacks, the 'jacks', and miners fought, hoared, and drank their way thru the history of the Upper Peninsula. A fascinating and eye-opening book.

[Linda Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A scholarly tome, with names, places, dates and excellent research to back it all up. I wish there were more of these available. This book reminds me that there are excellent stories in the U.P. that would make...other excellent stories.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moving this back to To Read. I thought the "wild frontier" of the UP would be a little more exciting, but I must've over-romanticized it. ; )