Dave Dempsey

Dave Dempsey is an environmental policy consultant and writer who has been active on conservation for more than 25 years. Dave served as environmental advisor to Michigan Governor James J. Blancha...

Jack Dempsey

Jack Dempsey is a historian and writer who has practiced law in Michigan for over 30 years. President of the Michigan Historical Commission, he also serves on the board of the Michigan History Foundation and is a past board member of the Historical Society of Michigan. Jack served as assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan from 1980-84.

Ink Trails: Michigan's Famous and Forgotten Authors

Dave Dempsey

Jack Dempsey

Winner: 2013 Michigan Notable Book Award


















Long revered as the birthplace of many of the nation’s bestknown authors, Michigan has also served as inspiration to countless others. In this entertaining and well-researched book—the first of its kind—the secrets, legends, and myths surrounding some of Michigan’s literary luminaries are explored. Which Michigan poet inspired a state law requiring teachers to assign at least one of his compositions to all students? Which young author emerged from the University of Michigan with a bestselling novel derided by some critics as “vulgar”? And from what Michigan city did Arthur Miller, Robert Frost, and Jane Kenyon draw vital inspiration? The answers to these questions and more are revealed in this rich literary history that highlights the diversity of those whose impact on letters has been indelible and distinctly Michiganian.

Text and photographs discuss Carl Sandburg, John Voelker, Theodore Roethke, Robert Frost, Marguerite de Angeli, James Oliver Curwood, Arthur Miller, Gwen Frostic, and other notable authors.

Listen to Jack Lessenberry's Michigan Radio commentary on Ink Trails: Michigan’s Famous and Forgotten Authors, about Hemingway, Carl Sandburg, Bruce Catton, and others. Notes, References, B&W photographs World rights 200 pp., 6.00" x 9.00", August 2012 Paper, $19.95, 1-61186-060-1 978-1-61186-060-3