Michigan author Philip Sterling reads passages from his new book “Lessons in Geography” and shows where he lived in Michigan on his hand. Sterling’s book of essays details his life and the experiences he had growing up in eastern Michigan, and how important the “mitten” is to him. (Journal photo by Antonio Anderson)

MARQUETTE — Michigan author Philip Sterling visited the Peter White Public Library Wednesday to debut his new book “Lessons in Geography.” The book is a compilation of essays and memoirs, said Sterling, which detail the importance of growing up in Michigan and the importance of the “mitten” motif, often used by residents to identify where they live in the Great Lakes State.

“The hand is a lesson in geography, claims the speaker of my poem. A widower tells other passengers where he’s from. He’s from Michigan and so in response to the typical follow-up questions ‘Where in Michigan,'” Sterling read, from his title poem. “I picture him flattening his right hand against the thin membrane of his personal space, fingers together but thumb slightly extended like a kitchen mitt. A gesture second nature to all native Michiganders who travel beyond the Great Lakes.”

“Lessons in Geography” was written and published over the course of 40 years, said Sterling, in various journals, magazines and websites along his writing career. Sterling has attained sundry accolades throughout his life and writing career from being a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Poetry, two Senior Fulbright Lectureships in Europe, artists residencies at both Isle Royale National Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and a PEN Syndicated Fiction Award.

The book, “Lessons in Geography” can be preordered through the publisher Cornerstone Press, at its website www3.uwsp.edu/english/cornerstone, though attendees of the event were able to purchase the book in person, ahead of its designated release date of Sept. 28.

“The book is not for everybody, but it has something for everyone,” said Sterling.

Antonio Anderson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. His email address is aanderson@miningjournal.net.