Land of the Burnt Thigh (Borealis Books) [Paperback]

Edith E. Kohl (Author), Stephen J. Voorhies (Illustrator), Glenda Riley (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 1986 | Series: Borealis Books

A fascinating memoir of homesteading in South Dakota in the early twentieth century.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Ida Mary and Edith Ammons were told it was easy: you filed at the land office for a quarter-section-160 acres-lived on it eight months, then "proved up" at $1.25 an acre, and the land was yours. How "easy" it was fills the pages of Land of the Burnt Thigh (Minnesota Historical Press, 269 pp., $7.95), originally published in 1938 by Edith Eudora Kohl, the younger sister. Their story is a lively one. One look and they know they're in trouble. Plunked down on the prairie with their trunks (and a jug of water-the compassionate gift of their departing driver), they stare in panic. Section 18, Range 77W is a waterless, treeless expanse with a deserted tarpaper shack the size of a packing box. Its former owner has fled. Marooned on the plains, they blame the government: "Women should not be allowed to file on land!" -- The Nation, March 21, 1987

Product Details

• Paperback: 332 pages
• Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press (October 15, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873511999
• ISBN-13: 978-0873511995
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,599,467 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes, what you see isn't what you get..., January 29, 2007

By 

Stephen R. Smith "Shreve Town Ghost Walker" (Shreveport, La. USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Land of the Burnt Thigh (Borealis Books) (Paperback)

Two young women (sisters), from a fairly well-to-do family back East, bought into the turn-of-the-century land-grab hype, and decided to stake a claim to free land in South Dakota. It had recently been acquired from the Sioux Indians by the Federal Government, and was ripe for the taking by persons willing to abide by the rules of claim, which required living on the land for eight months. Eight months in South Dakota, in the dead of winter, in a wooden box called a house, about eight feet by ten feet in size. The only insulation was torn tar paper on the outside of a house which had no stove. When the snow didn't come through the cracks, the blowing sand did. Frozen water had to be melted for drinking, and there was no well on the land.

This is the story of how they lived, endured, and survived, during their time on the land they claimed. Living through almost the same hardships of the Pioneers from 100 years earlier, they were miles from any neighbors, were terrified of the Indians, and for a while, had no horse. And no income.

As I laid in my comfy, warm bed, reading this book a few years ago, I continually felt guilty, for my part, for what they endured to achieve what they wanted. We take so much for granted today, in our country, and never give pause to what those before us went through, suffered through, and the prices they paid. This is a fascinating look into a short period in the lives of these two sisters, and a reminder, that few things of value in life are easily obtained.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Inspiring!, November 29, 2008

By 

Prairie Housewife (South Dakota) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Land of the Burnt Thigh (Borealis Books) (Paperback)

This was a such a good book to read! As a 20-something woman myself, living in South Dakota, the story of how these two young women made a life for themselves on the South Dakota prairie was so inspiring. You come to realize how newly settled this land is. The book was an easy, enjoyable story. Kohl writes in such a way as to draw you into the story and you really come to know the characters and love the harsh land. It's a true story with plenty of adventure. Anyone wanting to learn more about homesteading, especially the small population of single women who homesteaded by themselves, will find a fun read and will learn a ton about the process of homesteading and some of the key events that happened in South Dakota's history. She tells about her encounters with the Native Americans (they homestead on a Reservation), wild-life, strangers passing through, and their struggles proving themselves as capable women to themselves and others. Love this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars very inspiring, January 23, 2011

By 

sharico66 - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Land of the Burnt Thigh (Kindle Edition)

The story is about homesteading in South Dakota in the early 1900's. I found it extremely interesting due to the fact that both my paternal grandparents and my maternal great grandparents homesteaded in South Dakota. My maternal great grandparents homesteaded in Tripp County near the Rosebud. I also enjoy reading about early life in the west. It would be the time I'd like to time travel to.

These women were unbelievable in their hardiness, stubborness, their ability to keep starting over as life dished out it's heartaches and hardtimes.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy the history of this period and those who enjoy reading about the strong women of the west.