Review
2010; Volume: 36; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.5342/michhistrevi.36.2.0182
ISSN2327-9672
Autores Resumo182 Michigan Historical Review interesting to know how Poe reacted to the order given by Jefferson C. Davis (Commander of the Fourteenth Corps) to leave freed slaves on the opposite shore of the icy and swollen river, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of African Americans who drowned or were killed by Commander Joseph Wheeler’s cavalry. Perhaps Poe remained silent on the issue. After the war, Poe began to help construct lighthouses around the Great Lakes and also worked again for General Sherman. In the last six years of his life, Poe would witness the death of five loved ones, including three of his children. Despite his losses and his grief, or perhaps because of them, he buried himself in his work and died from an infection caused by a fall he sustained while inspecting his final and greatest achievement, the lock at Sault Ste. Marie. As Poe commanded the Second Michigan Volunteers and spent most of his life around the Great Lakes region, Taylor’s work contributes to the history of Michigan and the Midwest as well. More importantly, however, the book stands as a testament to human willpower, because ultimately, when faced with disappointment and tragedy, like Poe, we can endure. Edward A. Gutiérrez University of Hartford West Hartford, Connecticut Tom Weschler and Gary Graff. Travelin’ Man: On the Road and Behind the Scenes with Bob Seger. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 2009. Pp. 168. Discography. Index. Photographs. Cloth, $27.95. Travelin’ Man explores the midwestern influences that shaped the growing career of Bob Seger in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Based largely on the experiences of photographer Tom Weschler, who toured with Seger from 1969 until 1973 and remained close to him throughout his career, the book is more a collection of visual and anecdotal memories than a historical or biographical narrative. However, Weschler’s talent with the camera and recollections of personal relationships with band members provide fascinating insights into the development of a rock ’n’ roll legend. The book is especially focused on Seger’s early career, which revolved around his regular performances in Detroit and the surrounding areas. Both Weschler and Graff emphasize the affinity Seger held for such locations and Book Reviews 183 describe their effects on his musical style, which created “a model for and voice of the Midwestern, or heartland, singer-songwriter, a different breed of rock ’n’ roll animal than its East and West Coast counterparts” (p. xvi). Weschler’s account also provides an interesting look into the music industry and daily operations of a touring rock band during the early 1970s. The sometimes strained relationships between Seger, his manager “Punch” Andrews, and other members of the crew were often heightened by faulty equipment at low-budget performances and disagreements over commercial releases and album-cover designs. Weschler’s photographs chronicle Seger’s early performances in mall parking lots as he sought to find a place in Detroit’s struggling rock scene, and he describes the band’s apprehension about touring with KISS and the hazards of following Alice Cooper on stage. Weschler’s pictures and comments are generally lighthearted and optimistic while still giving valuable information about the development of Seger’s career and his rise to success. Although Travelin’ Man is not a comprehensive biography, its authors’ personal recollections make it accessible to any reader interested in the history of rock ’n’ roll. Music journalist Gary Graff’s contributions, which include a discography and a detailed timeline, allow for easy reference while reading. However, the strength of the book lies in Weschler’s photographs. Even though Weschler drifts occasionally into uninteresting stories about himself, his pictures paint a fascinating portrait of a driven artist willing to work hard for success. Weschler’s ability to capture the essence of Seger’s early career in photographs makes the book a valuable source of visual information about both the artist and the midwestern influences on his career. Dale Moler Central Michigan University ...
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