Orion Township resident Bob Lytle certainly wears many hats.
At this rate, his next one might be that of teacher.
That is because Lytle slowly but surely has incorporated more of a history lesson into each of his seven books.
‘The more I keep writing, the more I’ve gotten involved with Michigan history,? the award winning author admits.
Lytle, a pharmacist who has owned his own drug store in Rochester since 1976, took three years writing his latest tale, Pirate Party.
The book is the fifth installment of his Mackinac Passage series, taking readers back to the War of 1812.
But Lytle makes sure to keep the history lesson fun, carefully balancing factual information with entertainment.
‘It’s something I’m always cognizant of,? he said. ‘I try to make the history not so overwhelming that it knocks them dead with facts.?
The story begins in 1952 with an innocent summer pirate party.
While sailing on Mr. Heuck’s boat (naturally dressed as Captain Hook) three 15-year old friends, Pete Jenkins and twins Dan and Kate Hinken, notice a tall ship sailing in the distance.
When they go to get a closer look at the three-mast schooner, the three friends get invited on board.
They think the party on this new boat is all part of Heuck’s plan and play along. However, the fun quickly turns to panic when the friends realize they’ve gone back in time.
‘When they finally realize they’ve gone back to 1812, they’re a little freaked,? Lytle said.
Aboard the Caledonia, the friends wonder how they will escape.
In the process Pete Jenkins meets his great-great-great-grandfather, then 15-year old Will Drake.
Of course, Lytle manages to squeeze in a sailing lesson and some geography and history along the way.
For those interested in even more history than what gets into his story, Lytle included some historical information in the postscript.
Pirate Party is the fifth time Lytle has used time travel to tell his story. The two books he’s written that are not a part of the Mackinac series ‘A Pitch in Time? and ‘Three Rivers Crossing,? both incorporate time travel.
Lytle admitted that while critics might not like the time travel angle, he thinks it connects well to his younger audience.
‘When I read adult books, mysteries and such, I don’t much care for them. They bog me down,? Lytle said.
As a result he tries to avoid such stumbling blocks in his own writing.
‘The characters are more quickly defined and the action is fast paced,? he said.
The first book in the series came out in 1995 and Lytle has had an opportunity to visit many schools since then.
‘Schools are inviting me not just because of the literary work, but to answer questions dealing with history and things they are studying.?
He said getting compliments from readers is just a gratifying bonus.
Lytle recalled one recent case where a middle school student stood in front of his entire school at an assembly and told the author how much he liked his books.
‘I was shocked he did that in front of the entire gymnasium,? Lytle said.
Praise from his peers has come pouring in as well.
Longtime friend and editor Javan Kienzle, who is also a copy editor for the Detroit Free Press, told Lytle that each book has gotten better and better.
Yet, in spite of what should prove to be a prosperous run with Pirate Party, Lytle might be headed in a new direction.
‘I think this is going to be the end of the Mackinac series,? he said, although noting that the last page leaves a little bit of doubt.
‘When I wrote the first one, I really didn’t have the second in mind. But then suddenly came the 3rd and the 4th and the 5th.?
Lytle’s next project will be writing a book about his current home on Indianwood Road, a recent purchase that has quite the rich history.
‘It’s probably two or three years down the road,? he said about that book, which will include a tale of the stock market crash and the depression.
His readers are no doubt looking forward to that next entertaining history lesson.