The Soul of the Land

Roots of the Land

In response to Ursula's first comment, I ask how she had found The Soul of the Land. She replied as follows,

"I found the book in a little bookstore here in Stanwood, the Title intrigued me, as I am a ‘farmgirl. My upbringing on our Farm, is deeply rooted in me. My Father wrote about his life, and recently my sister and I translated his book into English, which was a challenge, as we really didn’t know how to describe certain farm implements and we wanted to be true to how he told the story of his life...

My husband ancestors were farmers in Illinois and I am sure there life was very similar to what your folks went thru. To be a farmer, one has to be an eternal optomist, and that is the one thing that my parents taught us from the cradle on, thru war and famine, that life will always go on, and tomorrow there will be a new day, that come what may will be managed, and that the Land/Nature/Earth is our source of Strength.

Thank you again for a fascinating book." Ursula Denison

Amazing Chronicle

I have just finished your book and it was an amazing chronicle to read. The hardiness of the clan that pioneered the land and thru so much hardship always tried again and again to make a better life is a true joy to see. I totally felt like I ‘lived’ the story. I grew up (1941)in what is now the very border of East Germany and Poland, on a farm with no electricity and running water.

The life you describe of JA. and his family was much of what my life was like, down to the workings of a binder and threshing machine, and the Saturday Night bath ritual: we were 7 in the family and yes, by the time the last one dipped in the murky waters of a zinc tub, it was cold and no longer a pleasure, needless to say that one took the shortest bath in history. It is amazing to think that this country was such a challenging place to just survive, I am not sure that this Nations People could again conquer such adversity to make a living, this has become a ‘soft’ country.

Thank you for a beautifully written book. Ursula Denison.

Rewards of writing

Lee Gutkind often makes the point that writing creative nonfiction requires plenty of research, a lot of thought and analysis and constant revision.  I must say, in my experience he is right on all counts.  We writers of creative nonfiction, particularly those of us that deal in family history, must spend an inordinate amount of time researching the lives and times of our characters.  Writing a true story that accurately depicts the lives of my ancestors took some real soul searching.  Does one sanitize history and tell only the part that will please straight laced, church going Uncle Joe, or at the risk of being ostracized by family and friends, does one tell it all?  I chose to tell it all as I knew it.

  It took six years to research and write The Soul of the Land, but I am constantly amazed by the comments from those that have read it.  What I supposed would be a book that only those older folks interested in historical events has also captured the imagination of a number of younger readers.  Two days ago, I encountered a woman in her late 20's that went on and on about what she had read.  Her recollection of the vignettes in both number and detail rivaled my own memory of what I had written!  She certainly made my day!

Greater Yellowstone Magazine

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More Catch-up

"What an Awesome piece of work!  I wasn't able to put it down..."  December 8, 2004, Janette Rainey, Allison, TX

"Just finished reading your great book... we felt we were part of it."  January 26, 2004, Jim and Forence Lynch, E.Aurora, NY

"I just finished reading The Soul of the Land and I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it... I felt like I was reading about my own relatives.  February 3, 2005, Patricia Campbell, California

"A belated congratulations on the publishing of The Soul of the Land...  A compelling and informative narrative.  Judith: your work on the jacket is breathtaking."  April 16, 2005, Lee Gutkind, Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, The Godfather of Creative Non-Fiction, and Author and Editor of Creative Non-Fiction, Pittsburgh, PA

"Wonderful.  I was sad when Rachel died.  I woke my wife when I laughed about the batter, the plow and the mules... I was sorry to reach the end."  July 13, 2005 Mike Kozak, Univerity of North Texas

"The Soul of the Land is without a doubt the best book I've ever read.  It was so interesting and I couldn't wait to see what happened next.  I would give it a 10 plus!"  July 18, 2005, Peg Curran, Boothwyn, PA

Catching up

Readers have had nothing but effusive praise for the The Soul of the Land.  There are too many to include all of them, but some comments will be included in this, and following posts.

"After watching your interview on NBC...I finished reading The Soul of the Land and it kept my interest, even though I am not an avid reader."  Jerry Gafford, Rigby, ID  June 8, 2004

"I thoroughly loved your book!  I could feel and see the emotions and places as individuals moved through their experiences."  Beth Towell, Ashton, ID  June 20, 2004

"This is the best book I have ever read.  It has so much history (stories), with dates and names.  Once I started, I could not put it down..."  Wanda Atchley, Rexburg ID June 20, 2004

"The Soul of the Land was a most intriguing book.  It is written in the vernacular of the region but is rapidly read.  It is one to be read over and over..."  Bonnie Reimann Fearn, Greentimber, ID  June 20, 2004

"...Your writing style made everthing so readable and interesting...  Your dialogue pulled me into the events in a way most histories with this much info just don't do..."  Judee Stanley, Island Park, ID June 28, 2004

"I've read your book and found it a fascinating and compelling read.  You are to be commended for the amount of research you did..."  Blanche Willford, Nampa, ID  July 19, 2004

"Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down.  Just wanted you to know how much I enjoyed your wonderful book."  Ardys Curtis, Chico, CA  July 20, 2004

"Congratulations on a job well done!  This is a great book and a great piece of art!  Everyone needs to read this wonderful history of how hard work pays off."  Donna Curr, Chester, ID  July 26, 2004

"Absolutely wonderful read...your talent is magnificent.  I truly look forward to reading more of your books."  Jeff Carnes, Fire Chief, Sun Valley, Idaho  Septembter 21, 2004

Melanie White

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karen Bossick

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Elizabeth Laden

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Dana Dugan

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Amy Christensen

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