Peace at Heart: An Oregon Country Life [Paperback]

Barbara Drake (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

In 1987, Barbara Drake and her husband sold their home in Portland and moved to a farm in western Oregon's Yamhill Valley. In PEACE AT HEART, Drake reflects on ten years of country living and on the happiness that this rural landscape has brought her. She combines gentle humor, practical advice, and deep respect for the work and the land.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Oregon State University Press; First Edition edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870714554
• ISBN-13: 978-0870714559
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,068,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Barbara Drake is the author of Driving One Hundred published by Windfall Press (2009), Love at the Egyptian Theatre, What We Say to Strangers, Life in a Gothic Novel, Bees in Wet Weather, and Small Favors. Her memoir, Peace at Heart: an Oregon Country Life published by Oregon State University Press was a 1999 Oregon Book Award Finalist. Her widely used college textbook, Writing Poetry, has been in print since 1983.

She earned her MFA from the University of Oregon and taught at Michigan State University before returning to Oregon to teach at Linfield College from 1983 to 2007. Now officially retired, Drake enjoys teaching workshops and occasional classes as well as frequently giving readings. The author lives on a small Yamhill County farm with her husband and their two border collies.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly lovely writing!, January 10, 2003

By 

"rheishman" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peace at Heart: An Oregon Country Life (Paperback)

Barbara Drake has written a sweet and lovely word-picture of her life on the Oregon farm she shares with her husband and their motley group of animals. Although she writes with a tender love for her land, and all that is on it, it is never saccharine, and is actually quite informative for anyone thinking of undertaking this type of lifestyle change.The book is written as a collection of brilliant essays,each filled with pathos,tenderness,and a deep understanding of the dramatic lifestyle changes involved in delving into farming.We meet, and learn to love, her sheep, geese, the sheepherding dogs,and the colorful neighbors. And even her warm and adoring father,who has an especially hilarious relationship with the hugely protective gander who patrols the gaggle of geese on the property, becomes someone you wish you could have met in person. This is one of those truly magical reads that leaves you with an afterglow of satisfaction after it's done. This is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and the magic of nature, the relationship of animal friends, the satisfaction of self-reliance and independence, or just someone who loves simply-beautiful prose. Barbara Drake is a poet at heart.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real "keeper" of a book, January 2, 2006

By 

Barbara B. (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Peace at Heart: An Oregon Country Life (Paperback)

I usually read books like this once, then trade them in. But this is a "keeper" to be read again and again.

It works on many levels and for many people. First, if you've ever thought about moving to the country, it is full of solid information on everything from wells to livestock. But it's also so full of humor and sensitivity, a true love of nature and an adventurous spirit that it makes great reading even if you're a metropolitan-ite.

The book had particular appeal to me since the author lives, and wrote about, an area not far from my home; one of my favorite places (Yamhill county, Oregon). If only she'd sell her farm to me!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Praise for Peace at Heart, September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Peace at Heart: An Oregon Country Life (Paperback)

Drake's book is warm and touching but never mushy. She uses her words with economy to create vivid images that strike the eye, and the mind. I would encourage everyone to pick up a copy of this book. Filled with positive images, and insights that are surprising and touching, it's a great read, I couldn't put it down.