Rating: 
Summary: Enchantment of inches
Review: I read this book based on loving Blue Highways and recognizing Least Heat-Moon as a beautiful writer. I never thought that I would be enthralled with one county in one state; yet, I was truly engrossed each page of this book about one county in Kansas. Least Heat-Moon has a way of touching the minute specifics of the history of our country and does it in such a way that you feel you are there sipping tea or a beer with the neighbor next door each step of the way across the county. A wonderful study of Americana history and while the length of the book is possibly intimidating to many, those of us who really appreciate excellent writing will smile our way across the county inch by inch and wish there were more!
Rating:
Summary: First rate!
Review: I read this book on a sun-drenched beach on the island of Raratonga, Cook Islands. I would recommend Raratonga to anyone seeking a paradise in which to relax. More highly recommended, however, is PrairyErth, which transported me with alarming ease from this lush, tropical eden to the limitless view of a Kansas prairie. PrairyErth is indeed a "Deep Map" and the tale it tells of a state, which can be synonymous with ennui, is remarkable. This book is a phenomenal achievement and one that should be read by every lover of books extant. It is a historical, philosophical, geographical, and geological masterpiece and renders the state of Kansas much brighter on any reader's radar screen.
Rating:
Summary: First rate!
Review: I read this book on a sun-drenched beach on the island of Raratonga, Cook Islands. I would recommend Raratonga to anyone seeking a paradise in which to relax. More highly recommended, however, is PrairyErth, which transported me with alarming ease from this lush, tropical eden to the limitless view of a Kansas prairie. PrairyErth is indeed a "Deep Map" and the tale it tells of a state, which can be synonymous with ennui, is remarkable. This book is a phenomenal achievement and one that should be read by every lover of books extant. It is a historical, philosophical, geographical, and geological masterpiece and renders the state of Kansas much brighter on any reader's radar screen.
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Summary: Moon creates a sense of place that is not soon forgotten.
Review: I read this book while driving my family at night across Iowa. The audio cassette version was outstanding. With a captivating and varied writing style, Moon recreates a sense of place by recording infinite detail, wonderful biographies, and fascinating history. While my van rambled across the Iowa praries, I listened to this book and for 8 hours, I felt like I was in Chase County. The mark of a great writer is to recreate a sense of time, place, and locale--Moon has done it with this book.
Rating:
Summary: A lifetime favorite
Review: I started reading this book because it seemed like something "good for me". And ending up not being able to put it down. It has become one of the few non-fiction titles on my lifetime favorites list. It's particularly fun when you encounter someone else who has read it (my veterinarian!) and also loved it. A great book.
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully Written!
Review: I used this book for one of my college classes and I loved it. It was one of the few books I kept! It is beautifully written and captures a piece of America that people probably forgot exited.
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Summary: Experience Kansas
Review: If you want to experience Kansas, with its excruitatingly boring places that slowly creep up on you and leave you blissfully satisfied and in awe of beauty; if you're willing to read long passages of flat text just to discover the beauty of burning fields; I highly recommend PrairyErth.I grew up in Kansas, about 2 hours from Chase county and was always facinated by the hills, the people, and just the auroa that came from Strong City and Cottonwood falls. After reading "PrairyErth" I am even more mesmorized by the locale. I have been out of the state for 2 years now, and long to go back. Many friends have complained about the long drives through Kansas, the flat scenery, and boring people. PrairyErth brings to life these flat lands and opens up new worlds of community and life. For me, reading Moon's book was much like experiencing life in Kansas. I did find some of the chapters long, dry, and dull.. but, that's how some Kansas life is. Moon always concludes these sections with a gorgeous snapshot of the land. He shows us what it is like to be in relationship with the land just as we are in relationship with one another. He concludes the book with a beautiful journey down the Kaw Trail.
"How do you know when the Prairy is in you?"
"When you see a tree as an eyesore."
Rating:
Summary: Deep Reading
Review: Ignorant, I found PrairyErth at a book-giveaway and would now have to count it among the best books I've ever read. The book is a thorough examination of a county that (possibly) many people would assume contains nothing but prairie grass. The point is how deep a map can be drawn of even the neglected places. Heat-Moon is amazing and inspiring, covering so many bases without over-stepping any of them. I had never even heard of Chase County but now I feel as though its every acre has been tattooed on my inner eyelids. Oh, and also: read it slow and steady. Pace yourself as Heat-Moon has..
Rating:
Summary: quite authentic--I should know...
Review: Imagine my surprise to find a book by a major author about the county in Kansas where our family ranch is and in which both my parents grew up. Let me tell you this much: Heat-Moon portrays this land and its people accurately. The level of detail is sufficiently great that some people with only passing interest or shorter attention spans will find it too much, but by my lights he did what he set out to do. This book is a good way to understand the Midwest and we, its people. It demonstrates clearly what I've been saying for years: that those who drive through Kansas only at night on freeways at 80 mph should please keep driving--that way its unique character can be spared for those of us who appreciate it. Furthermore, the author is a pleasant man, whom (by ridiculous coincidence) I happened to encounter at a Greek restaurant in Seattle one day. He was approachable and gracious. It was nice to find that his real personality was not different from his self-portrayal in PrairyErth.
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Summary: Deep map, deeper thoughts
Review: In a world where technological speed and stylishness are valued over substance, Heat-Moon delivers a massive work of great importance. As a Kansan, I invite you to come to our state and enjoy the same roads the author travelled and find out what's there when nothing else seems to be. Slow down and read this book as slowly as you can- you can tell that it was written with the same careful steps.
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