PrairyErth: A Deep Map [Paperback]

William Least Heat-Moon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1999

Three months on the New York Times bestseller list, PrairyErth is now in paperback. Robert Penn Warren pronounced Heat-Moon's Blue Highways "a masterpiece." Now Heat-Moon has pulled to the side of the road and set off on foot to take readers on an exploration of time and space, landscape and history in the Flint Hills of central Kansas.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Whereas Blue Highways dealt with Heat-Moon's auto trip across America, PrairyErth (an old term for heartland soils) records a journey mostly on foot across the tallgrass prairies and grasslands of Chase County, Kans. In a great cornucopia of a book, a majestic, healing hymn to America's potential, Heat-Moon attempts to penetrate the spirit of the land, a land which explorer Zebulon Pike and later white settlers stole from the Kansa (Kaw) Indians. There are now only six full-blood Kaw survivors, most of whom live on a reservation in Oklahoma. Heat-Moon writes of a feminist rancher who hires women primarily, of a farm couple swept aloft by a tornado, of abolitionists who wanted slaves free but not equal. He pauses to ponder fence posts, arrowheads and the nesting habits of pack rats. He talks to conservationists and coyote hunters, excerpts pioneer diaries and recreates the 1931 airplane crash that killed football hero Knute Rockne. Each chapter is prefaced by a map and by pages of quotations ranging from Thoreau to Frank Lloyd Wright. First serial to the Atlantic; BOMC selection.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This new work from the author of Blue Highways ( LJ 11/1/82) is an immersion into the past, present, and future of Chase County in south central Kansas. Located in the heart of the Flint Hills, the sparsely populated area contains one of the best remaining tracts of tallgrass prairie that once covered much of the Midwest. ("PrairyErth" is an old geologic term for prairie soils). Having spent six years engaging in "participatory history," Heat-Moon creates a feel for the land and a rural way of life that seems to be dead or dying across America. Dividing his book into quadrangles, he presents a verbal map that examines the county's geological, natural, and human history. This is a fascinating book that could be improved only with the addition of an index. Highly recommended, especially for local, natural, and Western history collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/91; BOMC selection.
- Tim Markus, Evergreen State Coll. Lib., Olympia, Wash.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 640 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; 1st edition (February 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 039592569X
• ISBN-13: 978-0395925690
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #68,189 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #16 in Books > Travel > United States > Central
  • #32 in Books > Travel > United States > Midwest

More About the Author

William Trogdon, who writes under the name of William Least Heat-Moon, was born of English-Irish-Osage ancestry in Kansas City, Missouri. He holds a bachelor's degree in photojournalism and a doctorate in English from the University of Missouri. He is the author of Blue Highways; Prairyerth, an epic evocation of the American tallgrass prairie country; and River-Horse, an account of his travels along America's interior waterways. His most recent book, Roads to Quoz, was published in 2008 and is available now as a trade paper edition.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchantment of inches January 13, 2000

By Diane V. Adair Montalbano

Format:Paperback

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!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Deep Reading November 28, 1999

By [e-mail]

Format:Paperback

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..

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars PrairyErth - A book that led me too Chase County December 4, 2000

By Simon Scott

Format:Paperback

I have just spent 2 days exploring Chase County, Kansas. I had read the book PrairyErth and found myself drawn to explore it for myself.

Driving along I50, I rejoiced at crossing the Chase County border. I had fun exploring the Chase County courthouse, eating at the Emma Chase cafe and meeting folks that have met Heat Moon. Seeing the small towns of Matfield Green, Bazaar and Wonsevu were particularly interesting.

The historical museum in Cottonwood Falls was a highlight for me, Pat, who is one of the volunteers there was extremly helpful and I found everyone I met and spoke too in Chase County as well as the whole of Kansas, a joy to meet and talk too.

I plan to read the book PrairyErth again and relive my 2 days spent in Chase County. I congratulate you Bill on a great book that placed in my soul a want to travel and discover Kansas for myself.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars First rate! February 13, 2001

By nto62 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

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.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars quite authentic--I should know... May 4, 1998

By J. K. Kelley

Format:Paperback

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.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Senior Seminar turned me on to my favorite book May 6, 2000

By Heather S.

Format:Paperback

While a student at the University of California at Santa Barbara, I had to take a Senior Seminar to complete my BA in English. We studied PrairyErth for several weeks and it was well worth the time spent. Least Heat-Moon is a gifted writer, and PrairyErth has been my favorite book for 6 years now. I have recommended this book to several people who were able to appreciate its detail. One must savor this book, and take it slow. It is so rich and beautiful, with such a sense of place, that I will always equate this work with those sunny, dreamy days in college...

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars From Chase County, Kansas August 11, 2000

By J. Davis

Format:Paperback

I first picked up this book when a job change brought us into the Tallgrass Prairie region of Kansas. As it turns out, we settled in Cottonwood Falls, Chase County, Kansas! It was extraordinary to read PrairyErth, knowing that we would soon be experiencing this place first-hand.

There is truly nothing like living in this community and experiencing the sights, places and people described so richly in PrairyErth. William Least Heat-Moon knows this place well, and paints a picture that is as vivid and timeless as Chase County itself. As a "local", I've returned to this book time and time again.

Unfortunately, my job is now taking us away from here. If you've read the passage about Spring Street in Cottonwood Falls, then you know our home. This is truly a beautiful and extraordinary place; unique in the world. If you would like to experience the sense of community that my family and I have been so blessed with, give me a call.