The Cut REVIEWS
The Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Review
Review by Patricia Walkow (June 2023)
Lydia Cockrum and Alvin Price grow their love with a backdrop of life along Lake Michigan in the 1870s. Paramount at this time near Portage Lake was the increasing animosity between the local farmers and an active sawmill. Based on real history, the story focuses on farmers who were losing arable land to Portage Lake as the local sawmill management dammed the lake to have enough water along an out-flowing creek to run their muley saw.
Fed up with the loss of their land, and armed with a legal document and the support of a judge, the story finds Alvin Price, his father Ben, and his near-brother Jeb Washington reluctantly deciding to solve the problem. The mill owner continually refuses to follow the injunction that requires him to desist from damming the lake. Although both Alvin and Jeb are wounded Civil War veterans, they embrace a project that is both physically and politically grueling. With a band of farmers, some of whom made extra money at the mill, they decide to take matters into their own hands to lower the water level at Portage Lake so their farms won’t flood.
As Alvin’s and Lydia’s romance progresses, they must deal with fathers who are on opposite sides of the issue. Reilly Cockrum, Lydia’s father, is a railroad builder and relies on the wood from the mill. Ben Price, Alvin’s father, is a farmer and insists on full use of his land.
How the farmers resolve this issue changed the shoreline of Lake Michigan in the area of Portage Lake and Manistee. But Alvin must make peace with Mr. Cockrum and seizes the opportunity to do so after a tragedy occurs in the town of Manistee, where the Cockrums live.
Author John Wemlinger does an excellent job of weaving the love story into the colorful history of this area and era of Michigan. The Cut relates an enlightening and interesting story. The characters are well-drawn, and his writing flows smoothly.
The author provides helpful annotated photographs, illustrations, and maps that give the reader a true sense of “the cut” and provides images that help the reader understand what a sawmill of that time looked like, and what homes and farms looked like.
For a noteworthy, fact-based historical glimpse of an interesting and unique issue in the 1870s upper Midwest, The Cut makes an excellent and satisfying read that addresses industry, farming, prejudice, women’s growing acceptance as college students, and enduring love. And if you are a dog-lover, Alvin's dog Kip will steal your heart.
Author's Synopsis
The Cut is a 19th-century David and Goliath story set in northwestern Michigan, where the powerful lumber industry is trampling on the rights of local farmers trying to eke out a living on their 80-acre homesteads. in the aftermath of the Civil War, The Cut follows the plight of the local farmers through the eyes of their reluctant leader as he fights for his family, friends, and love. It is a beautiful story of Michiganders' perseverance woven into Michigan's history
Format(s) for review: Paper and Kindle
Review Genre: Fiction—Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 250
Word Count: 75K
Amazon Reviews
Marie: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Historical fiction at it's best!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021 | Verified Purchase
John Wemlinger has masterfully written another five-star novel! From the riveting beginning to the pleasing postlude, he has been able to expertly weave historical events with a fictionalized romance. The reader gets to witness a group's determination to affect change that not only benefited them, but the generations to follow.
John's story includes a spunky young lady, a veteran and a loveable dog! He has developed likeable characters true to the Victorian Period after the Civil War, but yet show progressive thinking for the time. The 150 year old setting evaporates as we see the character struggling with and adjusting to new technology, innovations, and cultural norms, much as we face today.
He has skillfully written another book that you won't want to put down and at the same time hope that it won't end too quickly..
Amazon customer: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Wonderful historical fiction, with a great local setting
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021 | Verified Purchase
This fascinating tale combines a love story with the true drama of The Cut--the contentious hand-made channel that opened a passage between Portage Lake and Lake Michigan, created the charming town of Onekama, and changed the course of history in Northwest Michigan. That this was published in 2021 during the 150th anniversary of "The Cut" is an added bonus.
Amazon Customer: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Well written historical story on Onekama and Manistee.
Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021 | Verified Purchase
John Wemlinger is a master at telling compelling and fun accounts of historical events. The book is well researched and enjoyable to read. If you are from west Michigan, it's a must read. Others will enjoy the storyline and fun facts about nothwestern Michigan. If you have never been to Manistee or Onekama, read this book first, than make the trip to this very cool community.
Gene B: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Captivating historical account of a unique event.
Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2021 | Verified PurchaseWell researched.
Well written. John Wemlinger does it again, this time with historical fiction!!HelpfulReport abuse
Marlene Gohsman: 5.0 out of 5 stars | I really enjoyed The Cut by John Wemlinger
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2021 | Verified Purchase
The blending of fictional characters with true events made it easy to learn another piece of Michigan history. I let my sister borrow the book and received a text a few days later telling me she was really enjoying The Cut. Thanks for another great story, John Wemlinger!
Judy Bailes: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Love this story!
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2021 | Verified Purchase
Knowledge of the towns in this story had me imagining it all stepping back in time as it could have happened. Thank you!
T. Powers: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Top notch post Civil War historical
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2021
If I'm counting correctly this is the author's fifth novel and his first historical novel. Wemlinger lives in Onekama on the north shore of Portage Lake. In 1870 Portage Lake's lone outlet to Lake Michigan was a small creek on which a lumber king had built a water-powered sawmill. The owner dammed the creek to raise the water level insuring the mill could operate. But the dam also raised the water level on Portage Lake and farmers bordering the lake watched their acreage disappear as the water rose. The farmers tried every legal means to have the dam removed. When the lumber baron remained unmoved the farmers picked up shovels and dug an outlet between the two lakes permanently lowering the water level. The outlet still exists and has made Portage Lake a harbor of refuge. Wemlinger was approached by locals to write a historical novel based on the David and Goliath struggle leading to the channel's creation.
The result is both a dramatic account of the how and why the cut was created and a masterful novel of the life, times, and changes wrought by the Civil War. As in all of Wemlinger's books the narrative is character driven. Alvin who lost an arm in the Civil War runs a farm on Portage Lake with his father and a Black Civil War vet who Alvin treats as a brother. They are among the leaders of the effort to remove the dam. On a trip into town Alvin meets, or collides with Lydia on a sidewalk. There is an immediate attraction and a budding romance turns into an unbreakable bond. Lydia's father refuses to approve of his daughter seeing a farmer or even considering Lydia's desire to attend college. The reader can't help but become involved with these well-drawn characters and care what happens to them.
The story of the cut is well done. But what kept me glued to the book was the accurate and fascinating story of the life of a Michigan farm family in 1870. Equally interesting was the description of women and their power within the household and near powerlessness in the business and commercial world even as women were on the threshold of changing their status. As in all his books, Wemlinger sensitively portrays war veterans as honorable men who have returned from war to face new challenges in both private and public life. Every book I've read by this author I thought deserved consideration for inclusion on Michigan's Notable Books List and none made it. If this book fails to warrant inclusion on the list it's more than just a regrettable omission.
Mary Jo: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Can't wait to read the actual history and compare to this book
Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021
Throughout the entire time I was reading John's latest book, I asked myself, "I wonder what the actual history of the time would say about this or that event in the book?" So I can hardly wait to participate in the activities planned during Onekama's 150th anniversary of the "cut" during 2021. Sometimes, the events of the book gave me the chills because they felt so realistic and accurate for this area of Michigan. John, thanks again for your masterful and diligent work in creating another reason to treasure Onekama and its citizens.
Amazon Customer: 5.0 out of 5 stars | Excellent Historical Fiction
Reviewed in the United States on July 8, 202
You will not be able to put this book down. So, get yourself a cup of coffee and read this romantic, history filled story about Northwestern Michigan local farmers dispute with the logging industry as John Wemlinger brings "The Cut" into your minds eye as if you were there. And by the way, he has additional books you should consider.
Dmm3: 5.0 out of 5 stars | A wonderful blend affection in fact
Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2021
The Cut”, is John Wemlinger‘s fifth book and In my opinion, it is his best thus far. It blends the history of a northern Michigan town with fictional characters who flow seamlessly through the narrative. When I finished, One thought I had was, that it would make an excellent movie. Action, adventure, romance, and the David and goliath theme would really make an incredible film. In closing, I will extend my gratitude to Colonel John Wemlinger, (retired,) for his service to our country. All of his books feature veterans and some of their struggles.