From deep forests to Great Lakes, from Ojibwe to Finns, from the bones of a mastodon to the philosophy of Russel Kirk, the subjects of these engaging essays illuminate a subregion within the Midwest, one without the stereotypes of corn, soybeans, and factories. The particularities of the North Country offer fascinating evidence that place matters, that in the northern regions of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota are people, land, and cultures that open distinctive insights into the American experiment."—James H. Madison, author of The Indiana Way: A State History"The Midwest is more than one geography, one livelihood, or one or two crops. North Country defines and explains this important sub-region of the Midwest, emphasizes place and culture as crucial elements of human existence, and provides a range of ways to think about both."—Paula M. Nelson, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Wisconsin-Platteville