This reprint of the 2001 edition (Stanford U. Press), is published by the U. of Oklahoma Press. In the second half of the nineteenth century the American prairie was settled through the
Homestead Act, according to which anyone, women as well as men, could own 160 acres of land if they built on it, farmed, and lived on it for three years. Many family farms today date back to
the homesteaders. Campbell (emeritus, anthropology, University of New Mexico) tells the story of those who could not survive. Using examples of individual families, Campbell describes the
specifics of the back-breaking work required. Even if the work was done well there could be disasters: drought, flood, prairie fire, locusts, tornados, even buffalo stampedes. Throughout the
prairie states boarded-up homes and rusting farm implements bear witness to the uncertain life of the homesteaders. Campbell's text is complemented by more than 70 b&w photographs of the
relics of these pioneers. Annotation 穢2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
