"It's absolutely spectacular! What a wonderful job!  I'm very proud to have had a hand in this. I had no idea you were going to be able to include all those wonderful pix, and I must say I LOVE the chapter on the Blanshard Bros. I'm going to urge everyone in the family to at least insist on their libraries' buying it.  Thank you so much!"

Jane Blanshard, professional editor and educator, widow of Rufus Blanshard who was the son of Paul B. Blanshard.  ----------------------------------------------------------------
"This book is long overdue. It is a masterpiece of research and full of delightful stories of the characters who have managed, resided and enjoyed Bay View since it was formed in 1875. It is a treasure and I recommend it to anyone who has ever been touched by the infectious spirit of Bay View, a true American Village."

John Sanford, nephew of Ernest Hemingway and great nephew of John M. Hall, the legendary director of the Bay View Assembly.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"I've spent the last four days enthralled with your book!  You have told such great stories and tied it all together very well.  I was particularly intrigued by your chapters on the women speakers and with the Blanshard brothers. That chapter, especially, did a great job of connecting BV to the larger community and putting a personal face on Bay Viewers."

Betsy Loyd Harvey, Chautauqua Scholar

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Mary Jane, Have finished your beautiful book. Enjoyed it fully and impressed with your research. I will do a brief review in our next Lakeside newsletter in November."

Dave Glick, Retired Senior Administrator at the Edison Institute, now The Henry Ford.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"...a rich history of an area everyone is familiar with, but about which few know much of this detail."

Glen Young, Petoskey News-Review

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Astonishing, entertaining and informative"

Susan and Ethan Rombauer Becker (authors of newest edition of The Joy of Cooking and grandson of The Joy of Cooking author Irma Rombauer)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ms. Doerr went to great lengths in her research to produce this well documented history of the Bay View, Michigan Chautauqua. The photos that are generously placed throughout this volume are treasures to be sure and complimnet the text. The properties of the finished book are quality from cover to cover with a good grade of paper, easy to read print and a binding to last for many years of reading. This book would be of interest to those who like: history, Chautauquas, United Methodist Church, United States, Petoskey & Bay View. This book includes 2 appendices, endnotes, bibiiography and index"

bcook - Amazon.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

"American Idea" is a valuable addition to the literature on the Chautauqua movement in the United States. It serves as a model and inspiration for other local communites to follow when describing their own Chautauqua associations. Mary Jane Doerr is to be commended for her endeavors.

Dr. Philip Mason