Midwest Books

Weird Indiana: Your Travel Guide to Indiana's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird)

Mark Marimen, James A Willis, Troy Taylor

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Subjects -> History -> Americas -> United States -> State & Local -> Indiana
Subjects -> Reference -> Fun Facts -> Curiosities & Wonders
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Midwest

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Extraordinary humans and accuracy 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 6 people found this review helpful.

This book says the late Sandy Allen was the tallest woman who ever lived. While Sandy certainly was one of the tallest women who ever lived, she was not THE tallest. These authors should have done their homework -- a simple Google task. Here are 3 giantesses taller than Sandy:
1. Zeng Jinlian - Tallest Woman ever at 8' 1.75". Died at age 17 in 1982.
2. Jane Bunford - 7'11", died in 1922.
3. Yao Defen - Claimant as current tallest living female at 7'9" but not confirmed by Guinness World Records.
Sandy probably holds the "tallest" record for the most consecutive years in the Guinness Book, from 1975 to 2009, minus the year Zeng Jinlian had the record.
Interested in a new book about Sandy Allen? Please visit [...].

Weirdness In The Corn 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Who would have thought that the heartland of America would harbor such a wealth of weirdness? Not me, until I read this book, that is! It's a fascinating look at the oddities of a state that I always assumed was just cornfield, cornfields and more cornfields. Just goes to show how wrong you can be if you judge a book by its cover. This book, like all of the others in this Weird series, is an intelligent, witty and well written survey of the creepy, eccentric and bizarre aspects of Indiana's strange sites, unique history and many unexplained mysteries. Indiana weird? Believe it or not, it really is!

Weird Ohio (Weird)

Loren Coleman, Andy Henderson, James A Willis

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Midwest
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Ohio -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Gave me the creeps..in a good way! 4 out of 5 stars.
18 of 18 people found this review helpful.

I was riveted to this book from the first page. Very visually appealing and written in a light-hearted way, it is a great guide for "ghost-chasers" and those who just love to see weird places. I also love how the authors never judge someone based on their personal testimony about places and events in the book and believe me, there are some wacked-out stories that you think just can't be true! I have only owned the book for a week and already have visited about 1/2 dozen of the places mentioned. I have even planned future weekend trips around some of the creepier areas in the book. Great fun! It is hard to tell where some of the things mentioned are at...specific directions are few and far between and that would be my only problem with the book. You won't be sorry you bought this book...it has something for everyone.

There are weird things about Ohio, believe it or not 4 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Despite having hack writer and former Decaturian Troy Taylor at the helm, Weird Illinois--a companion to this volume--makes for great bathroom reading. The production values and colorful images more than compensate for Taylor's leaden prose and inane editorializing. I love this book so much that every time I visit my best friend's Chicago apartment, I make time to secrete myself away in the john and hunch over it. I got to wondering what I would think of the book if the writing were as good as the production, and so I decided to check out another book in the series and see.

Luckily, I picked an absolute winner with *Haunted Ohio.* The writing is great, and not just because I'm comparing it with Taylor's ham-fisted oeuvre. The three co-authors balance a love of a good scare story with a desire to know the available facts about any site they describe; it constantly amazed me how they could debunk a particular legend with one or two salient, documented facts without ever abandoning the joy of repeating the original legend."Who cares if it isn't exactly true?" they seem to suggest, "If you're reading a book of weird stories, you're probably into it more for the chill it send down your spine than for any empirically verifiable facts it may reveal." As mentioned before in the context of *Haunted Illinois,* the production values are superb, and the addition of stories supplied by readers and locals really capture something uniquely Midwestern about these weird people and places.

The sections of the book deal with various weird topics like local legends, ancient mysteries (e.g., the Serpent Mound), fabled people and places, unexplained phenomena (e.g., UFO sightings, Hangar 18, and the ever-popular pancakes from space!), bizarre beasts (including the Mothman), local heroes and villains, personalized properties, roadside distractions (like the Longaberger Basket HQ featured on the cover---it's the building shaped like the giant basket, complete with handles), haunted places, cemeteries, and abandoned buildings and roller coasters.

A very fun, entertaining, and even (gasp) informative book.

Walking Chicago: 31 Tours of the Windy City's Classic Bars, Scandalous Sites, Historic Architecture, Dynamic Neighborhoods, and Famous Lakeshore

Ryan Ver Berkmoes

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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Midwest
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Illinois -> Chicago
Subjects -> Travel -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Walk the streets of Chicago and discover why the town that brought us Michael Jordan, Al Capone, and Oprah is anything but a "Second City." Chicago's diverse neighborhoods represent a true melting pot of America--from Little Italy to Greektown, Chinatown to New Chinatown, and La Villita to the Ukrainian Village. It's also the most walkable city in the country, with flat streets laid out in a sensible grid and 21 miles of stunning lakeshore.

Here you can get ethnic culture in Andersonville or high culture at the Art Institute, listen to the blues on the South Side or catch a ballgame on the North Side, and marvel at the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture in Oak Park or at nature's masterpiece along Lake Michigan.

In Chicago, every neighborhood has a unique past, every character an intriguing story, and every side of the city is covered in this newest addition to the award-winning urban Walking series.

The 31 walks include trivia about architecture, political gossip, and the city's rich history, plus where to dine, get the best deep-dish pizza, visit world-class museums, have a drink, and shop.

"It would be a shame for anybody to set foot in Chicago without a copy of this lively, clear-eyed, amusing, and enlightening companion." - Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune columnist

Michigan Atlas & Gazetteer

Delorme Mapping Company

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Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> Atlases
Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> United States
Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

DeLorme Michigan Atlas and Gazetteer 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have been using DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers for many states for many years. I have always found them very useful for travelling over the back roads and secondary highways as they give one detail not found on the usual road maps. They also list parks, historic sites, recreaton areas, etc. which are also very valuable when travelling in unfamiliar areas.

While I also own a GPS system for my automobile, it doesn't give you topographic detail or large area views due to the limitatons of the small GPS screen. However, I find using both the DeLorme Maps and the GPS system to make for very efficient trip planning.

Editorial Review:

The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautiful, detailed, large-format maps of every state. Perfect for home and office reference, and a must for all your vehicles. Gazetteer information may include: campgrounds, attractions, historic sites & museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site & boat launches, canoe trips or scenic drives. Categories vary by state

Weird New York (Weird)

Chris Gethard

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Subjects -> Reference -> Fun Facts -> Curiosities & Wonders
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks
Subjects -> Travel -> North America

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Big, HUGE Fun!! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I picked this up because I recognized the photo on the front. That's the "waitress lady" I've passed for more than 40 years in a tiny town called Silver Creek NY. That's the glory of this book. Filled with wonderful color photos, you too will recognize the 'weird' of NY that you never realized was right under your nose. Did you notice the "Burger Family" in Glens Falls? Hear the creepy knock from the crypt on Rt 8? Just a great read. Since there are books for every state, they make wonderful gifts as well.

Editorial Review:

New York is one of the world biggest metropolises. It is also one of the weirdest. That probably comes as no surprise to anybody. But wait until you get your hands on "Weird New York", and read about Long Island's Big Duck, Moan and Groan Road in, of all places, a town called Hope, and the Jell-O Museum in Le Roy. This is a great alternative travel guide to New York - both City and State - to find out what the other books won't tell you, like what to do in Spook Rock Road, how to find the world's largest pet cemetery, or what to do if you bump into the Lady of Lake Ronkonkoma. This is your chance to find out why New York is the city that never sleeps...

Zagat Chicago Restaurants 2008/09 (Zagatsurvey: Chicago Restaurants) (Zagatsurvey: Chicago Restaurants)

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Professional Cooking -> Professional
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Midwest

Editorial Review:

Chicago Restaurants covers over 1100 restaurants in and around Chicago plus Milwaukee. This handy guide contains Zagat Surveys trusted ratings and reviews for area restaurants based on the opinions of diners like you. The trademark reviews and corresponding ratings for Food Décor Service and Cost are organized alphabetically in a user friendly format. Use the indexes arranged by cuisine neighborhood and special features like In Places Winning Wine Lists or Romantic Places to find the perfect restaurant for any occasion. Also includes stick on bookmarks.

Time Out Chicago Eating and Drinking 2009: The Essential Guide to the City's Best Restaurants and Bars (Time Out Guides)

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Midwest
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Illinois -> Chicago

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great restaurant guide 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I just got this as an update to the 2007 version and it's wonderful. Bigger in all dimensions than its predecessor and the reviews are written conversationally. The book is organized by cuisine rather than alphabetically by name or by neighborhood, so it is easy to find a restaurant that has what you are looking for. Index in back both alphabetically and by neighborhood, so you can find a restaurant with a certain kind of cuisine in a specific neighborhood. This is great resource for checking out new restaurants and finding out what they have to say about your favorites. Highly recommended!

Editorial Review:

Written by knowledgeable locals, this illustrated guide covers the best Chicago has to offer for the hungry visitor or resident. Containing a whopping 1,000 restaurant reviews by candid critics, the book covers everything from hidden-gem breakfast spots to stylish pubs. The extensive index is searchable by alphabet, cuisine, genre, neighborhood, and specific criteria ranging from outdoor seating to rooms with a view. Fun sidebars explore such topics as making reservations and solo dining, while clear maps of downtown Chicago, the surrounding area, and the Chicago transit system make reaching each destination a snap.

Weird Wisconsin: Your Travel Guide to Wisconsin's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird)

Linda S. Godfrey, Richard D. Hendricks

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Subjects -> History -> Americas -> United States -> State & Local -> Wisconsin
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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Wisconsin -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Weird Wisconsin 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I thought it was cool. I had no idea how many places were haunted and such. I would definately buy more books of the same.

gift 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

bought this as a gift and it was LOVED!! my sis gets into stuff like this and of course we are from wi .. so she loved every page!!! great gift for people who like wierd stuff!

Good ole Wisconsin 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This was an amazing book, I'm planning on buying myself a copy since checking it out from the library. The only problem I had with it is they got a few addresses wrong. The truck in the tree in Clinton, WI... They say it's visible from interstate 90. I'm not good with road names but my dad is, an 84 native of rock county says it's no where near 90. In the picture it's obvious that they went buy the house, I know these people personally and they don't mind visitors so I'm confused as to why they didn't mention the road it's on.

Nice and Quick 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 20 people found this review helpful.

The book's outer cover had a slight tear on it, other than that it was in great shape and it was delivered very quickly!

Weird Wisconsin 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book is really great, it covers so many "weird" places and things in Wisconsin, lots of which we have seen over the years. It covers haunted places and unusual places & has photos of most along with short stories documenting these places. I would recommend this book to anyone, its a fun book to read and a great reference book when travelling the back roads of Wisconsin to see some unusual and different places & things.

Weird Illinois (Weird)

Troy Taylor, Mark Sceurman

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Subjects -> Reference -> Fun Facts -> Curiosities & Wonders
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Addition to the 'Weird' Series 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I love all the 'Weird' books, especially the 'U.S.' and the 'Weird New Jersey' book, but amongst the other states, this one is a real treat. First off, it's well written by expert Troy Taylor. Secondly, the pulse of the book never ceases. From the start it grabbed me and had me turning pages, when usually these books are something you pick up and put down, just because there is so much to digest. there are some great ghostly tales and other-worldly visits that make this compilation stand on top of my stack of 'Weird' books.

A Compendium of the Unusual in Illinois 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Owing to the fact that most Illinois people live in the Chicago area, and that is where I am from, my review is limited to this region.

Famous buildings discussed include the Hull House. One of the unusual buildings featured in the book is the replica of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and located in suburban Niles. One of the eye-catching restaurants included is the Superdawg. It is a 1950's-style hot dog stand, located at the corner of Milwaukee and Devon, on the far northwest side of Chicago. First opened in 1948, it features the likeness of a boy and girl hotdog perched high above the restaurant. (I remembered it from my 5 year-old self being driven to my grandmother's burial in 1960).

Some crime scenes are included, notably the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, and the site where John Wayne Gacy, dressed like a clown, murdered over 30 men and older boys, and buried their bodies in his basement. It is said that it took a mysteriously long time for grass to begin growing again at the site.

A number of cemeteries are featured. But ghost stories also originate from other areas associated with death, especially mass death. When a large airliner crashed at O'Hare Airport in May of 1979, killing over 270 people, there were reports of strange lights in the field at night, and knocks on the doors of locals. No one was there when the owners came to the doors.

The authors missed a chance to include the Our Lady of the Angels School fire of 1958, in which 92 children and 3 teachers perished. The school was subsequently rebuilt, and is no longer a Catholic school. But, over the decades since the tragic fire, there had been, from the new school building, occasional reports of mysterious sounds of children screaming.

Detroit Then and Now (Then & Now)

Cheri Y. Gay

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Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> History
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> Travel -> United States -> General
Subjects -> Arts & Photography -> Photography -> Travel -> United States -> Midwest

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Greatest book of photos on Detroit 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I got this book from my library through an ILL, and this book is GREAT! I am 17 and planning on relocating to Detroit, and wanted to see what the city looks like. This book is the only one with actual photos of Detroit in and around the city. Wonderful pictures from earlier times until now. The book was so good, I went out and bought it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to see detroit or for anyone who wants to see one of the best cities in the world.

Editorial Review:

Famous the world over for automobile manufacture and the distinctive sounds of Motown music, Detroit, the Motor City, celebrates its 300th birthday in 2001. Detroit Then & Now is a fascinating look at this city's great history, taking historic photographs from the dawn of the camera age and comparing them with full-color photographs of the same scenes as they are during the Tricentennial. Despite an industrial heritage, the city has its culture including art museums, a historical museum and the Cranbrook Academy of Art, as well as a great zoological park, beaches, and marinas. With a reputation for sports and music, Detroit is as vibrant a city today as it ever has been. This book is a fascinating documentation of history and change in one of the United States' most important cities.