{"product_id":"forest-legend-the-tale-of-ol-split-toe-9781968761073","title":"Forest Legend: The Tale of Ol' Split Toe","description":"A deer journeys through time, witnessing a resilient world transformed as humans struggle for control over nature.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMother Nature struggles to maintain equilibrium in a changing world while fire, disease, logging, human displacement, and war repeatedly destroy forests of centuries-old trees. Split Toe, a deer chosen at birth for a unique education, travels through time to understand the interconnected workings of a Michigan forest. He meets humans along the way: Ice Age hunters who trap and kill a mastodon; Mukwoh, a young Ojibwe hunter who stalks Split Toe through swamp and forest; loggers clear-cutting Michigan's white pines; Edra, a woman advocating for the trees; Angus and Grace, pioneers who become a first generation of family farmers; scientists from the future studying the impact of nuclear radiation. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSplit Toe witnesses two hundred years of conflict building between modern humans-who fight to control the natural world-and Mother Nature, who repeatedly reaches for balance. He wonders whether human ways will ultimately overpower Mother Nature, until he meets a boy who changes everything.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEllens, Dan:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - Dan Ellens is an outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about connecting people with nature. He spends nearly half of each year in an isolated, electricity-free treehouse on Winterfield Pines Nature Sanctuary with woodstove heat, handpump water, and oil lamp lighting. His daily off-grid life includes caring for the sanctuary, hosting the sanctuary's guests, all of the activities of a self-sufficient lifestyle, observing the natural surroundings and animal behavior, and drawing and writing. Dan has written four nonfiction books intended to inspire adventure, promote self-sufficient lifestyles, and connect people with nature. He is also author of the email-blog, Michigan Forest Life, which includes more than 850 posts since 2018.Dan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is retired from a full career in industry and international business. When asked, Dan says his education places him in a large group of people with mechanical engineering and MBA degrees.Dan is an accomplished woodworker and carpenter. He is a hobby artist and is passionate about rescuing, restoring, and finding new homes for fine art. He loves exploring the possibilities of off-grid electricity-free cooking and baking. While not in the wilds, Dan's home is in the small community of Salem, Michigan.","brand":"Mission Point Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52141485981970,"sku":"9781968761073","price":17.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1a2efdeb-2297-4b49-bd4a-60b17256570f.jpg?v=1774451989","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/forest-legend-the-tale-of-ol-split-toe-9781968761073","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}