Calling the Midwest Home: A Lively Look at the Origins, Attitudes, Quirks, and Curiosities of America's Heartlanders (Calling It Home(r)) [Paperback]

Carolyn Lieberg (Author), Bob Greene (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Calling It Home(r) | Publication Date: June 2003

Midwesterners will tell you that they are a rare breed - different from their neighbors to the north, south, east, or west. Ask them why and they'll explain it's because of the Midwestern code of ethics, which demands that they be honest, help neighbors when they need it, and use common sense on a regular basis.

Filled with fascinating facts and unforgettable stories, Calling the Midwest Home is a tribute to Midwesterners everywhere. An enchanting glimpse of life "in the Middle."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Carolyn Lieberg earned degrees in Linguistics and Non-Fiction Writing form the University of Wisconsin at Madison and the University of Iowa, respectively. She lives in Iowa City, Iowa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wildcat Canyon Press (June 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885171129
• ISBN-13: 978-1885171122
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,906,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun, quick, yet educational read, January 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Calling the Midwest Home: A Lively Look at the Origins, Attitudes, Quirks, and Curiosities of America's Heartlanders (Calling It Home(r)) (Paperback)

Carolyn Lieberg's tribute to the Midwest is a very enjoyable book. It is primarily a collection of quick facts -- no more than a couple of lines long each -- that will amaze even the life-long Midwesterner (such as myself). It is more than just a list of factoids, though. Liberally scattered throughout the book are letters from real-life Midwestern folks, describing their lives in the central part of the nation. Many times they reminisce about when they were children, often in the early parts of this century. Ms Lieberg also begins each chapter with glowing description and praise of that chapter's topic, and how it is uniquely Midwestern. After reading this book you'll be searching for a recipe for sauerkraut chocolate cake and telling everybody how many Nobel prize winners are from your state, or even your town (if you are lucky enough to live in one of the twelve states covered in the book). If you live outside of the Midwest and want to know more about it, or if you love the Midwest but have relatives who have never been here, or if you know people on "the coasts" who think Midwesterners are just a bunch of rubes, THIS IS THE BOOK TO BUY. The only reasons I didn't give the book a perfect ten (I gave it an 8) were because there are a few errors in the book, and Ms Lieberg's little quips at the end of many of the facts were slightly annoying. But don't let that stop you from enjoying this book!

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasing reminder of things midwestern, June 9, 2011

By 

M. Jerde - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Calling the Midwest Home: A Lively Look at the Origins, Attitudes, Quirks, and Curiosities of America's Heartlanders (Calling It Home(r)) (Paperback)

This book is full of facts, factoids and trivia about the Midwest. It's delightful to read as someone who moved out. I always enjoy coming back to an area where one can fill the gas tank before paying. That's integrity, and we all need more of it. Makes us sleep better at night too.