a culmination of stories written over the last 21 years by long-time Grand Rapids Press columnist Tom Rademacher, who launched a career writing extraordinary stories about everyday people from all over West Michigan.
Published by Lake Michigan Books, "Splitting Wood" is an apt metaphor for the way in which Rademacher reveals his subjects, knots and all -- sharing stories of tragedy and triumph about people in our midst who both suffer and soar.
"Splitting Wood" carries some heavy duty endorsements, including a testimonial from internationally syndicated columnist Heloise. She lauds Rademacher as "a journalist with a heart as big as my home state of Texas" who "writes about real people and real situations in ways that will make you laugh and cry. You will be touched by his stories."
Jeffrey Zaslow, who co-authored the national bestseller "The Last Lecture," which has been translated into nearly 50 languages, says "Tom Rademacher has a gift of articulating the ways in which all of us are connected," adding that "in each of his defly crafted stories, he reminds us of the love,hope and humor in our own lives."
Local author John Otterbacher, who wrote "Sailing Grace," says this: "An antidote for the banality of celebrity worship, Tom's understated Midwestern brilliance is his poet's capacity to mine and distill what is extraordinary in ordinary people's lives. Without an ounce of preachiness or preciousness, he both tells us who we are and reminds us of our inherent interconnectedness. This homegrown seer is a community treasure."
YOU CAN PURCHASE SPLITTING WOOD at the following West Michigan locations: Schuler Books and Barnes & Noble stores in the Grand Rapids area; Literary Life Bookstore at 758 Wealthy Street SE in Grand Rapids; The Bookman in Grand Haven; Reader's World in Holland; and at Herman's Boy and several other shops in Rockford, including Kimberly's Boutique, Epic coffeehouse and Baskets in the Belfry. ALSO, the book is available via the website for Barnes & Noble: bn.com
It also is being marketed to select Borders locations. Virtually any fine bookstore can order the book for you!
TO ORDER SIGNED COPIES OF "Splitting Wood" by mail, send a check for $19 for each book to cover cost of book plus shipping and handling.Be sure to include your name, address, city, state and Zip Code. If you want the book signed, simply provide instructions. Make checks payable to "Lake Michigan Books," and send your request to:
Lake Michigan Books
P.O. Box 226
Rockford, MI 49341
TO INQUIRE ABOUT BULK ORDERS, drop the author an e-mail at: rademachertom@gmail.com
HERE'S AN IDEA: At least one area high school is considering placing a copy of "Splitting Wood" in each of their seniors' "goodie bags" at graduation. You could give your grads a decal or an an ink pen...or, you might consider a book filled with stories of power and inspiration!
BE INSPIRED! Tom Rademacher is available to speak to your class or group. You won't be disappointed! E-mail him at: rademachertom@gmail.com or give him a ring at (616) 460-2115.
