Great story about Iowa.
352147
Brought memories but also reminded me of stories my mom would tell.
787803
I like the history/ period writing which is done in a way that woulld have fit our country's railroad expansion. The story is great but the setting the story is done in is amazing!
3327279
I especially liked the book because of the Wisconsin setting. Living close to Door County, I could relate to the cherry industry and how important it is to this area.
The author did a great job of developing the characters.  You felt like you really knew them.
2822196
Dwight Hoover has written an engrossing story of farm life during the Depression in Iowa.  What I found especially fascinating was learning of the gradual phasing out of work horses over many years--it wasn't a sudden conversion to gas-powered vehicles.  As a person raised in a big city (Chicago) that made sense as I thought about it.  I remember as a little girl in the late'40s/early 50s a horse and cart parked on our street in the city.  The book takes us through typical days and especially, typical seasons of farm life, describing in detail planting, cultivation and harvesting of crops.  Using vivid details and choosing carefully what stories to tell, the author gives us a complete picture of what life was like when he was growing up.
3389839
I have just begun the third book in this set, but have been enchanted by the storyline.  I love Polly and her friends in Iowa are keeping me interested enough to keep reading each day.  I enjoy my mini-vacations during my lunch hour to the countryside in Iowa and the small-town / farm living as described in these stories.
4930594
If you want to learn what life was like in the newly settled towns and farms of our central prairie, get this book. Nicely written. I did not like the occasionally smug tone of the narrator but all in all a good read.
2862990
Good story of the determination of a woman, of the introduction of women in the medical field, the beginnings of the medical college in Omaha and life on the Nebraska prairie.  As someone who moved to western Nebraska from the urban east, I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of the prairie.  If you're not from the prairie it's hard to fathom it's beauty.
2577096
The truth is that Matilda (Tildy) Beaumont does not seek out trouble but trouble finds her.  She leaves Iowa with her new husband, Ike Beaumont, who cares more about himself than her.  From the beginning, I wanted to see her with Nat Carruthers because he rescued her from drowning while Ike was busy caring more about her valuable possessions than about her.  In fact, that is how things progressed for Tildy.  Determined to make her marriage work, she does what Ike asks her to do.  She even goes to the New Mexico Territory to be with him (after he abandons her because he thinks she's so sick that she'll die). I was disgusted with Ike and was very happy to see him die.  (That might sound mean, but when you read this book, you'll understand that this man wasn't a good one.)

As for Nat, he leaves his law business to be a gunman, trying to walk the fine line between life and death.  Though he tries to put Tildy from his mind, he can't.  I did like the way these two fought their feelings for each other.  It made for great romantic tension.  But another man also showed an interest in her as well.  I won't spoil how that goes.

Meanwhile, there is something fishy about Don Miguel's business dealings.  One of those dealings is his determination to get rid of Tildy.  The reader has to wonder why he is so insistent that she return to Iowa, and this is the prevailing question that takes the reader through the second half of the book.  So how does she cause so much trouble?  By standing on her own two feet and deciding her own fate, rather than having Don, or any other man, decide it for her.  This creates a mountain of trouble.

I won't spoil it for you, but let's just say Sally J. Walker has a few surprises that caught me off guard.  I strongly recommend this western for its entertaining value and the realities of life out in the New Mexico Territory in the late 1850's.  And if anyone is interested, the page quality and cover quality are excellent.
3617480
Thoroughly enjoyed this story.  I especially liked the relationship that developed with her brother as they were growing up on the plains.  The history was interesting and her father's support during the years was endearing.
764704
Love Maddy Hunter and her nutty Iowans.
Characters are so real you swear you know them.  And the story keeps you guessing to the end .
3824371
This is a real joy.  I'm from Iowa and I can relate to some of her childhood as it came close to mine.
3798466
Flowertown did not immediately draw me in, but I am glad I kept reading.  Once the story got rolling I had a hard time putting it down.  The story of a horrific pesticide spill that quarantines a large group of people in the middle of Iowa for years has the scary possibility of actually occurring.  The reactions and decisions by the contaminated people, the corporation at fault and those responsible for containment are fascinating.
599995
John Grisham has written a really good story here.  Did not know about coal strip mining was so devastating.  I learned a lot.
1698454
I enjoyed this book a great deal and could't put it down.
Story gave a lot of history about the people in the area and their Iivelihood.
Characters were interesting as well.
3668237
I enjoyed this book because I was able to research the historical record of my ancestral family who emigrated from Alsace, France, and settled in the State of Iowa, Benton County, USA,in the mid-1800's.

I also liked the book because it provided me with background information regarding the type of county (Benton county) where my maternal great-great-great grandparents owned and farmed their land.

I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the State of Iowa history.
2363047
What a great book this is. Wonderful story and the characters are so true to life. The setting is great, the descriptions of Yellowstone vivid. Recommend it to anyone who wants a great read.
2070297
I loved this book - and I'm from Iowa!  I know some people took this book a bit too seriously and were offended by Mr. Bryson's observations of large people and people from small towns.  Seriously people, relax and have a few laughs!  The writing is excellent and while the trip goes on a bit too long, it's well worth sticking with until the finish.  Enjoy!!