The Golden Bowl

From the rear cover of this 237 page book: "Frederick Manfred's first novel, 'The Golden Bowl', written in 1942 and published in 1944, remains among the best of his more than 30 books. Most famous for his Buckskin Man novels beginning with 'Lord Grizzly' in 1954, Manfred's vision of power and sweep of Mid-America resonates throughout his work with an epic enormity. In Siouxland, men's deeds down through the generations are as awe-inspiring as the sweep of the prairie or the vistas of the mountains. 'The Golden Bowl', often compared favorably to John Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath', captures the Dust Bowl struggle of the Thor family on their western Dakota farm. The novel celebrates the strength of a people with optimism so powerful they can look beyond the arid, devastated prairies to glimpse the future promise of a golden bowl of plenty. Rather than run away to a false Eden in California, they will stay on the land and survive. Fifty years later, Manfred's story remains powerfully contemporary. Pa Thor's abiding faith in the bounty of a sometimes-harsh land still lives in today's East River farmer, West River rancher, or small town business owner, hanging on through hard times and good. Manfred shows us that out of the great land grows a spiritual strength still vital for us today. This Golden Anniversary edition returns a powerful first book to public attention and honors the life's work of an important American writer whose creative output continues undiminished today."