The Third Coast

February 1, 2008
Southern pride is everywhere, from the radio to the presidency, but not much time or media coverage is devoted to northern pride, the essence of McClellands book oriented on the Great Lakes and the lands that surround themthe Freshwater Nation. Crossing borders and circumnavigating the lakes, McClelland made an almost 10,000-mile journey from Chicago to Wisconsin to upper Michigan to (via Isle Royale) Minnesota to Ontario to New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, and through lower Michigan to Michigan City, Indiana. His conversations with such characters met en route as Yuri the sailor and Oil Can Eddie constitute one of the books definite pleasures. Visits to the drunkest city in America (Milwaukee), the worlds largest barber pole, and natural wonders and their environs (Downtown Niagara Falls . . . looks like a carnival that has put down roots and incorporated itself); chats with Canadians who remain staunch Loyalists (to the crown, that is); and an REO SpeedwagonStyx concert at a county fair near Lake Erie are others this hearty, good-natured homage affords.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)