A Picturesque Situation

"Splendidly illustrated throughout with colorful maps, vintage artwork rendition from the land and portraits of notable historic figures, architectural plans from the era, and much more, A Picturesque Situation is a richly detailed resource, captivating to simply page though and thoroughly accessible for public library collections, history shelves, and anyone interested in the cornucopia of stories behind this crossroads of frontier America."—Midwest Book Review

"This collection of rare images and comprehensive text allows the reader privileged glimpses into the fascinating past of the Straits area. Essential reading for all those who love Mackinac Island."—R.D. Musser, president of Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island

"Drawing on decades of research, Brian Leigh Dunnigan presents a stunning collection of pre-photographic images of Mackinac including maps, plans, drawings, engravings, and paintings complemented by a comprehensive, thoroughly researched, and eminently readable text. No collection of Michigan history is complete without a copy of this superb volume."—Phil Porter, Director of Mackinac State Historic Parks

"The wealth of information that can be found in each portrait description, the incredible diversity and beauty of the landscape depictions, and the abundance of maps make A Picturesque Situation a must have" for the public and for scholars who study this region. Dunnigan's narrative, coupled with the paintings, maps, and drawings that provide information about this strategic island before the invention of photography, make this an outstanding volume. Wayne State University Press invested the time and money necessary to reproduce obscure and little-known maps in highly legible format. The resulting volume is a treasure trove of information for the layperson fascinated with this island and an invaluable work from scholars."—Michigan Historical Review

"As he did so successfully with Detroit in Frontier Metropolis, Brian Leigh Dunnigan now presents the definitive study of the evolving appearance of Mackinac, key strategic and commercial post in the Upper Great Lakes for almost three centuries, in A Picturesque Situation: Mackinac before Photography 1615–1860. It combines finely reproduced contemporary images with Dunnigan's always careful and exhaustive scholarship in a well-written narrative that will appeal to general readers and specialists alike."—Martin West, Director of Fort Ligonier, Pennsylvania

"All of these rare and important glimpses of Mackinac before the age of the camera are elegantly presented in this full-color volume. Brian Dunnigan's detailed research and excellent writing have, once again, brought an important place in Michigan history to life and filled an important niche in the history of one of the truly magic paces of our great state of Michigan."—Historical Society of Michigan Chronicle

"Brian Leigh Dunnigan's amazing collection of images of Mackinac takes his readers on a fascinating tour, a magic carpet experience, of Mackinac before 1860. Anyone interested in the history of Mackinac and the Great Lakes will find this work to be an indispensable resource and a 'good read' besides."—Keith R. Widder, Retired Curator of History for Mackinac State Historic Parks and Author of Battle for the Soul: MÉTis Children Encounter Evangelical Protestants at Mackinaw Mission, 1823-1837

"Brian Leigh Dunnigan's A Picturesque Situation beautifully reproduces images from far-flung repositories, providing a visual record of the Straits of Mackinac before the camera made its appearance. More than that, the accompanying text is an outstanding chronicle of Mackinac history not to be found elsewhere. It combines the author's expertise in analyzing the two-dimensional record with his superb knowledge of Mackinac's rich past."—Steven C. Brisson, Chief Curator of Mackinac State Historic Parks and Author of Picturesque Mackinac: the Photographs of William H. Gardiner, 1896-1915 and Wish You Were Here: an Album of Vintage Mackinac Postcards

"Like he did with Frontier Metropolis: Picturing Early Detroit, 1701-1838, Brian Leigh Dunnigan has brilliantly researched and written a book that will significantly broaden our understanding of the history of the Straits region."—William G. Milliken, Governor of Michigan, 1969-1983