John Ehle (1925–2018)

I honestly struggled to find any similarity between this book and the historical fiction series beginning with the Land Breakers that John Ehle authored. It could be that I just can't comprehend the dynamics of an abusive relationship. I should probably be careful about dropping spoilers but I think that the book's title already tells readers what is going to happen.
In its defense, the courtroom and jury scenes are very entertaining but there's were too many scenes where I just wanted the story to move along.… (mehr)

This book gave me a new perspective on the Indian removals.

Though not Indian myself, I grew up on an Indian reservation. We moved there when I was 3 years old. So, I grew up with a love for and sympathy for the Indian people.

Through reading this book, I was again struck with how evilly the Indians were treated by our ancestors, but I also received insight into how evil, stubborn and foolish some of their own leaders were. They could have made the best out of a bad situation for their people, but refused to.

All-in-all, though, I wish there was a way to go back and do right by these original inhabitants of America.… (mehr)

I believe this is the first in a series of historical novels. It is set in late eighteenth century Kentucky and recounts the efforts of several gritty, hardscrabble families to establish a settlement. The personalities and the relationships are well drawn but where the book really shines is the description of the day to day life. These are hard, complex people who embraced a project against very daunting odds in an environment that is isolated from outside assistance. They encounter all sorts of critters, calamities, and the dark sides of their own personalities, all the while shearing sheeep, raising grain, building cabins, and dogedly surviving. A gem for the detailed depiction of daily living.… (mehr)