Book Review: 'Mackinac Island Ferry Boats'

While I love to visit Mackinac Island, I still have to spend more time away from it than I’d like. To help pass the time until my next visit, I like to read books, watch DVD’s and surf the internet in search of anything related to the island. Fortunately, I’ve found a few treasures that I’ll be sharing with you over the next few months here on the blog.

The first item is a book that while promoted as a ‘behind the scenes’ book, is really more of a photo essay of Arnold Transit ferry boats. Loaded with more than 50 full-color pictures taken in what seems every season, this book chronicles the operations, people and boats of Arnold Transit, the oldest ferry operation serving Mackinac Island.

Bob Caylor, the photographer and publisher of ‘Mackinac Island Ferry Boats’ provided me a copy to review and tells me the book is intended for children and teens. I’ll disagree and say anyone that enjoys great photos of anything Mackinac-related will enjoy this book. Descriptions are kept short and simple and stay at the top of each page above the accompanying photograph.

From the spring return of the horses, to loads of freight to the holiday decorations adorning the Huron, Bob has captured the essence of the Arnold Line. I’ll admit my favorite photographs are the ones you would expect to find in the ‘Seasons of Mackinac’ calendar. The type you’d want to frame and hang in your Mackinac room. (Yes, I have a Mackinac-themed room at home, don’t you?)

I met Bob last summer while he was working on the book and can tell you he’s as big a fan of Mackinac Island as anyone I’ve met and it shows in this glossy, 8.5x 5.5 inch, 36-page booklet.

You can visit his website at http://www.decade6studio.com to view pictures from the book and order the book, which sells for $7.95, plus shipping. The book is also available at the Island Bookstore on Mackinac Island.