The Living Great Lakes

The Living Great Lakes follows Jerry Dennis's journey as a crew member aboard the schooner Malabar, traveling through all five Great Lakes. The voyage serves as a framework for exploring the lakes' history, ecology, and impact on North American development. Dennis combines firsthand sailing experiences with research about the lakes' geological formation, early Native American settlements, European exploration, and industrial growth. The narrative includes accounts of shipwrecks, storms, and the development of maritime commerce on these inland seas. Scientific and environmental topics feature prominently, including invasive species, pollution, water quality, and climate change. Dennis documents interactions with researchers, fishermen, and local residents who live and work on the lakes. The book demonstrates how the Great Lakes shape the identity and culture of the region while highlighting urgent questions about their preservation. Through personal observation and historical context, Dennis reveals the complex relationship between humans and these vast freshwater ecosystems.

Readers appreciate the blend of history, ecology, science and personal narrative about sailing the Great Lakes. The combination of Dennis's sailing journey with environmental and historical context helps make complex topics accessible. Readers highlight: - Clear explanations of lake ecology and shipping history - Personal stories that maintain interest - Details about invasive species and environmental challenges - Vivid descriptions of sailing experiences Common criticisms: - Some sections about sailing terminology become technical - A few readers found the pacing uneven - Occasional tangents away from the main narrative Ratings: Goodreads: 4.18/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (230+ ratings) "Dennis makes you feel like you're right there on the lakes," notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads reader comments, "The perfect mix of adventure story and natural history." Less favorable reviews mention "too much detail about rigging and sailing terms" and "could have been more focused."

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🌊 Jerry Dennis spent more than a year aboard the Malabar, a tall ship schooner, gathering experiences and insights for this book. 🗺️ The Great Lakes contain 20% of Earth's surface fresh water and enough water to cover the entire continental United States to a depth of 9.5 feet. ⚓ The book chronicles both the natural and human history of the lakes, including the stories of over 6,000 shipwrecks that lie at the bottom of these waters. 🌿 The lakes' ecosystems have been dramatically altered by more than 180 invasive species, including zebra mussels and sea lampreys, which Dennis discusses in detail. 🏊‍♂️ Dennis grew up in northern Michigan and has spent most of his life around the Great Lakes, working as a river guide, professional fisherman, and sailing instructor before becoming an author.