New Book Releases

Detroit Free Press journalist Robert Allen sifts through these advertising fossils, exposing the gripping stories connected to the Motor City's historic rises, falls and eccentricities.

Across Detroit, fleeting symbols of the past hide in plain sight, behind weeds and under veneers of paint. Demolishing a vacant building among empty storefronts on the west side uncovered the telltale gold and green of a Vernors Ginger Ale sign, preserved almost as vibrantly as the artist intended. In faded red, white and blue, Mac-O-Lac Paint makes an expired pitch to passersby on Gratiot near Eastern Market. On the east side, Mohawk Rock and Rye still declares itself the ""World's Finest!"" Carhartt, Stroh's and Faygo appear in odd, deserted places.

Remembering Flint, Michigan puts the pedal to the metal for a fast-paced journey through the Vehicle City's halcyon days.

Few cities have as complex and fascinating a history as that of Flint, Michigan. Sit back and enjoy a drive through the good old days - the people, the places, and the cars that have been a part of the city's long road into modernity.

Join local history columnist Gary Flinn as he examines the contributions of oft-overlooked David Buick, the inventive and invaluable Flint auto pioneer who lacked the business savvy to become an auto legend. Travel back to the original Kewpee Burger and wash it down with an old Vernor's Ginger Ale before catching a show at Capitol Theatre. Take a front-row seat as Keith Moon, drummer of rock icons The Who, celebrates his 21st birthday at the local Holiday Inn and creates the blueprint for rock roll excess with his legendary hotel stay. Fast-forward a few years and flip open a copy of the Flint Voice, the alternative newspaper published by controversial filmmaker and Flint native Michael Moore. Come along for the journey and time travel through Flint--the Vehicle City.

This fast-paced and electrifying look at the rich history of Flint compiles and updates articles from the beloved Uncommon Sense alternative press as well as previously unpublished histories, archival photographs, advertisements, and images. A must read for fans of fast lives, faster cars, and huge dreams, fasten your seat belt because Remembering Flint, Michigan is a wild ride!

Little known tales and lore from Michigan's Upper Peninsula uncover mysteries, curses, and strange beasts in this collection of offbeat and fascinating stories.

That's the best I've ever seen you look," the barber said to the corpse. What kind of filthy decedent could inspire such derision? Learn the answer and read myriad other little-known tales from Michigan's northernmost region in Forgotten Tales of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Find out what happened after an aggrieved husband aimed a gun at his wife's lover and then asked the crowd, "Shall I shoot him?" Meet the sleeping man who rode the rails without a train. Discover the truth behind the rumors that one mining town was cursed with the ten plagues of Egypt, and learn why hugs terrified an entire city. And what were those hairy, bipedal beasts haunting the woods? Join Yooper Lisa A. Shiel as she brings to the fore these wonderfully offbeat and all-but-forgotten tales from the UP's history.