Grass of the Earth: The Story of A Norwegian Immigrant Family in Dakota (Borealis Books)

There are a number of things that makes this a good read. First, the characters are very Norwegian in there demeanor--hard working, a quiet spoken people with little verbosity. Second, this is a great description of the hardships of pioneer life. And finally, it is a reminder that these people and others like them forged what became the great American story.

The first half of the 20th century saw a slew of books detailing the pioneer experience in homesteading the American Plains and West during the last half of the 19th century.The most famous, of course, is the novelization of Laura Ingalls Wilder's life on the Great Plains in " The Complete Little House Nine-Book Set " series (1932). And for a perspective on the Texas frontier, there is " Interwoven: A Pioneer Chronicle (Revised: 4th Edition) " (1936). GRASS OF THE EARTH, published in 1950, shares the immigrant experience in settling the inhospitable Dakota Territories, just east of the Great Plains.These historical memoirs survive today because, through the story of a family, they detail an epoch of a human will and sacrifice that collectively triumphed over seemingly insurmountable challenges and obstacles. Author Aagot Raaen vividly brings to life the daily hardships required of homesteading pioneers: the isolation, the deprivations, the fierce and unpredictable weather, the fragility of health and wellness and the constant worries about food and money.At the same time, she describes the reassuring rhythm of family life, the bonds of faith and community and the grubstake that anchors their existence. These people believed in the land, God and family and spent every single moment of their day affirming those tenets. Raaen gives rich descriptions of farming and family life on the rugged frontier.It's a sober book that looks at the immigrant experience as a call of duty but reads like a tale of adventure. The author's optimistic voice sustains the brutal realism of this early American journey.

I grew up on a second-generation Norwegian Immigrant farm in the middle of North Dakota. So, from an early age I was involved in churning butter, rolling and turning lefse, living without electricity, refrigeration, indoor plumbing and helping cows and ewes give birth. I found the descriptions in this book to be old news; been there done that, although 40 years later. Not new as well, was the drive of Norwegian immigrants and their children to get an education, to absorb Lutheran dogma and ideals, and, sadly, for men to gravitate to alcohol at times. A sense of community was almost genetic. For readers with urban experiences, this book will provide new insights into how difficult immigration was, and how very hard and never-ending was physical labor,

This is an excellent immigrant memoir especially for those with Scandinavian or upper Midwest roots, but good for anyone interested fascinating characters unfolding like a flower in the details of life in the latter half of the 19th century.

Book was received in a timely manner. Book was reasonably prices and in great condition. I was a little disappointed in the writing itself. Thought it would be more like Giants in the Earth. Does give interesting detail about specifics on how activities were accomplished.

A good review of the ND settlers.

I was interested because my roots were from Norway. This book was interesting but lack that "something" which could have made it that much more interesting and informative. All if all it was OK.

The book, one of three, came very quickly and in perfect shape. The author is from the area where I grew up, so of great interest.