Location : Cleveland, OH
Living in Ohio, on the shores of Lake Erie,
there really aren't any major historical sites or battlefields; places
that draw thousands, or hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. There
is one place, however I don't think that the actual historical site itself
is the draw, rather it is the beer and boats. The site, Perry's Victory
and International Peace Memorial, on South Bass Island in Lake Erie, honors
those that fought in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. The
memorial is a draw for quite few people; the visitor center houses an excellent
diorama of the battle, some artifacts, and plays a wonderful movie detailing
the Battle of Lake Erie. That battle, fought on the lake and not on a battlefield
where one can physically experience the area, is as much a part of the
United States as it is Ohio. It helps define Ohio and the northern coast
of the state. There are several statues of Oliver Hazard Perry in the state,
a couple of towns named after him, some War of 1812 re-enactors, and, I
believe, more than a few people that enjoy visiting War of 1812 sites in
Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. A travelogue, Chasing
Oliver Hazard Perry, by Craig
Heimbuch, is a wonderful guide to traveling the area, in search of Oliver
Hazard Perry's legacy.
Contents: Author's Note; Prologue; My First Mistake; Notes on the Battle; Perry, Ohio; Setting the Scene; Lighting Out; Vermilion; Fort Meigs; The Unlucky Traveler: Part One; The Unlucky Traveler: Part Two; The Unlucky Traveler: Part Three; The Unlucky Traveler: Concluded; The Perry Papers; Crossing Over; The Great Campout That Never Was; The Worst Hotel in All of Canada; Fort Malden; The Long Way Around; Drinking with an Englishman; Ferries, Flags, and One-club Golfers; Marching On; Farb-tastic; The Final Destination; The Last; About the Author
Craig Heimbuch, author of Chasing Oliver Hazard Perry, takes the trip that Oliver Hazard Perry and War of 1812 aficionado's probably only dream. Starting in the town of Perry, east of Cleveland, Heimbuch circles Lake Erie taking in the sights, sounds, food and drink, and major historical sites. Many of them should be familiar to the people on the north and south shore of Lake Erie; Vermilion, the home of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum, Fort Meigs, outside of the city of Toledo, River Raisin, just north of the Ohio/Michigan border, Ann Arbor, home of many of Oliver Hazard Perry's personal papers, Erie, Pennsylvania, location of the Perry's flagship, Niagara, and Great Lakes Brewery, home of Commodore Perry, a fantastic IPA. Heimbuch stops at all of the major (and quite a few of the minor) highlights. However, he infuses the trip with many personal anecdotes which makes this book much more personal, allowing him to connect with the reader. Some of his adventures are embarrassingly funny, which only adds to the narrative. He is one of us, not some travel writer who is staying in five star hotels and travelling in style.
Heimbuch takes the time to carefully and lovingly explain his fascination with Oliver Hazard Perry. He does it in a way that many will relate, especially if you have visited Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on an August day. It is this connection with the reader that makes this more than just a travelogue. Further, he is excited about his trip around Lake Erie, and that excitement comes across in his writing style enveloping the reader. Finishing the book, you are left with a strong desire to follow in Heimbuch's footsteps. To completely do so, like in Chasing Oliver Hazard Perry, will leave you at Great Lakes Brewery, enjoying the IPA named for the hero of Battle of Lake Erie.
Technorati tag: book review Craig Heimbuch
Contents: Author's Note; Prologue; My First Mistake; Notes on the Battle; Perry, Ohio; Setting the Scene; Lighting Out; Vermilion; Fort Meigs; The Unlucky Traveler: Part One; The Unlucky Traveler: Part Two; The Unlucky Traveler: Part Three; The Unlucky Traveler: Concluded; The Perry Papers; Crossing Over; The Great Campout That Never Was; The Worst Hotel in All of Canada; Fort Malden; The Long Way Around; Drinking with an Englishman; Ferries, Flags, and One-club Golfers; Marching On; Farb-tastic; The Final Destination; The Last; About the Author
Craig Heimbuch, author of Chasing Oliver Hazard Perry, takes the trip that Oliver Hazard Perry and War of 1812 aficionado's probably only dream. Starting in the town of Perry, east of Cleveland, Heimbuch circles Lake Erie taking in the sights, sounds, food and drink, and major historical sites. Many of them should be familiar to the people on the north and south shore of Lake Erie; Vermilion, the home of the Inland Seas Maritime Museum, Fort Meigs, outside of the city of Toledo, River Raisin, just north of the Ohio/Michigan border, Ann Arbor, home of many of Oliver Hazard Perry's personal papers, Erie, Pennsylvania, location of the Perry's flagship, Niagara, and Great Lakes Brewery, home of Commodore Perry, a fantastic IPA. Heimbuch stops at all of the major (and quite a few of the minor) highlights. However, he infuses the trip with many personal anecdotes which makes this book much more personal, allowing him to connect with the reader. Some of his adventures are embarrassingly funny, which only adds to the narrative. He is one of us, not some travel writer who is staying in five star hotels and travelling in style.
Heimbuch takes the time to carefully and lovingly explain his fascination with Oliver Hazard Perry. He does it in a way that many will relate, especially if you have visited Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial on an August day. It is this connection with the reader that makes this more than just a travelogue. Further, he is excited about his trip around Lake Erie, and that excitement comes across in his writing style enveloping the reader. Finishing the book, you are left with a strong desire to follow in Heimbuch's footsteps. To completely do so, like in Chasing Oliver Hazard Perry, will leave you at Great Lakes Brewery, enjoying the IPA named for the hero of Battle of Lake Erie.
Technorati tag: book review Craig Heimbuch
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