The Late, Great Lakes: An Environmental History

This book provides an excellent analysis of what happened when industrial civilization invaded the Great Lakes region. It's an outstanding primer for those who wish to understand the ecological history of the Great Lakes. It's about fish mining, forest mining, fur mining, mineral mining -- and this isn't a cheerful and inspiring story about progress. It's a well-researched book documenting the many mistakes made by greedy European settlers.

During the summer of 1999, it was reported that Lake Erie would be 10-18 inches lower than normal and that boaters should be aware of this change. Did anyone bother to ask why, because the papers certainly didn't bother to research the matter. If you would like to know, then read this book. It provides some possible conclusions as to why a major lake like Erie would suffer such a drastic loss of volume. Additionally, Lake Michigan's levels have dropped, but millions of Great Lakes dwellers aren't exactly aware of Ice Mountain bottled water. It is the only water bottling company that has been allowed to pump water OUT of Lake Michigan, due to a kniving political maneuver. If such corrupt business deals are allowed to continue, we can continue to watch Great Lakes water levels decline. Although dated, because some of the places described have changed considerably, i.e. the Cleveland flats, this book contains some elegant, historical descriptions of the Great Lakes' former natural glory and the beginning of and up to present man's devastating manipulation and tragic destruction caused by centuries of industrialization and neglect. At present, the Ice Mountain bottled water company sucks out Lake Michigan water to sell. A terrible first for ANY of the Great Lakes. This is an indispensible learning tool as well as a teaching tool for how we have changed forever the lifeline of these lakes and how we continue to do so, whether good or bad. Did you know that it's possible to empty one of the lakes into the aquafier underneath the water-guzzling, midwest breadbasket? The book was published in 1987 so one can imagine if more destruction has occured since and if not, then maybe some good has come about. In any case, there are other sad truths to be read about in this classic of environmental history. I recommend it with the highest degree of respect.

I read this book as part of the curriculum for my 'American Dreams and Realities' history class as an undergraduate student in the fall of 1991. The Late Great Lakes gives a good history of Native American and European use and abuse (most of the abuse perpetrated by the European folks) of the Great Lakes ecosystem. If you are a fisher person, this book will be interesting to you as it documents the numerous massive swings in dominant species in the lakes caused by overfishing and the introduction of non-native species over the last few centuries. The aspects of chemical pollution in the Great Lakes ecosystem are also important and well documented. A must read for anyone who spends time on the lakes in any recreational or commercial capacity (I used to live in Monroe, MI).