Michael W. Nagle discusses his new book about Eber Brock Ward (1811–1875).

Ward began his career as a cabin boy on his uncle’s sailing vessels, but when he died in 1875, he was the wealthiest man in Michigan. His business activities were vast and innovative. Ward was engaged in the steamboat, railroad, lumber, mining, and iron and steel industries. In 1864, his facility near Detroit became the first in the nation to produce steel using the more efficient Bessemer method.

Join Michigan photographer Bruce Harkness as he presents his new book Photographs from Detroit, 1975–2019, a retrospective survey of his striking social documentary photographs and an invaluable historical record that bears witness to irrevocably lost swaths of Detroit’s social and urban fabric. Harkness’s work merits him recognition as one of the Motor City's most important documentary photographers during a pivotal, transitional era in its history.

Each week, a few AADL staff members present a book of their choice from a specific book topic such as favorite classic, book about nature, fiction under 200 pages, beloved children's book, etc. The topics span a multitude of genres. This week, the topic is readalikes: "if you liked this book, give this one a try."

Join the conversation in the comments section and let us know what book you would have picked for this week's Biblio Files!

Each week, AADL staff members share recipes in a specific category – from “Unusual Veggies” to “Favorite Cookies” - whether tried and true or tried and failed.

The recipes that are discussed in this episode are attached to this event page.

Please join the conversation in the comments section! What are your favorite recipes from this week’s category?

In her book Bound to the Fire: How Virginia’s Enslaved Cooks Helped Invent American Cuisine, Kelley Fanto Deetz draws upon archaeological evidence, cookbooks, plantation records, and folklore to present a study of the lives of enslaved plantation cooks from colonial times through emancipation and beyond. She reveals how these men and women were literally "bound to the fire" as they lived and worked in the sweltering and often fetid conditions of plantation house kitchens.

Expanding beyond the usual short Nerd Nite talks, Annie Rauwerda, creator of @DepthsofWikipedia on Instagram, will guide us through the deepest, strangest, and silliest Wikipedia pages out there. Revel at the strangeness, laugh, maybe learn a bit and DEFINITELY have fun.

The Great Migration transformed America’s cultural landscape, impacting cities and towns across the nation, including Detroit and Washtenaw County. Participants will learn about the exodus of more than 6 million African Americans from the deep South to the North, Midwest, and West Coast between 1910-1970.

Join us for an evening with local authors doing short readings from their four published works.  Have a chat with an author or buy a copy of their book during the event!

Join Dr Natalie Tronson, Associate Professor of Psychology, for a presentation on her research using animal models to learn more about the long-term neurological effects of inflammation and viral illness and how this can be equated to COVID-19.  Dr Tronson will discuss COVID-related risks for dementias including Alzheimer's disease, and long-COVID.

They're fluffy, they're floofy, they're foofy. Hooray for pom poms! If you missed Sushi Pom Poms, or just need to make MORE pom poms, join us for this afternoon session! 

This event is part of the Ann Arbor Fiber Arts Expo (AAFAX) presented by the Ann Arbor District Library.