Island Folk: The People of Isle Royale

Island Folk: The People of Isle Royale by Oikarinen, Peter. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780816653362.

The history of a working fishing community comes alive in this collection of stories from the people who made a life on Isle Royale. In Island Folk, candid photographs illuminate the dramatic and sometimes life-and-death experiences of the unique individuals who chose to live in this beautiful and isolated setting. In this lively and charming book, find out how moose actually make their way to Isle Royale or what amount of food is necessary to survive a winter. Hear about the ships that sank in the tricky waters surrounding the island and the raw beauty of the landscape from those who know it intimately. Recalled memories, honestly shared, tell a familiar tale of the ongoing transformation of the island from a quiet working fishing village to a national park haven for tourists who travel by boat or seaplane to experience a vanishing way of life. Peter Oikarinen is a freelance writer and photographer who lives on Lake Superior on Michigan’s Keeweenaw Peninsula. He is the author of Armour: A Lake Superior Fisherman.