Publisher's Synopsis
The saga of a young immigrant as he travels over the ocean describing the why many Germans immigrated and the conditions of the ships. Challenged by the lonely life on the prairie, Johann learns to live on the prairies of Nebraska. He learns to dig a well, build a sod house, and withstand nature's disasters. Johann's changes his name to John and romance and live fill's his life when he courts the determined Helena. They build a home and begin raising five independent children including the head-strong, Berta.
John and Helena teach the family lessons about life. Through country schooling, corn husking bees, and living on the prairie, the Gehring children rely on each other like the branches of a lone cottonwood tree.
Living in the prairie of the Nebraska Sandhills, the Gehring family faces tornadoes, grasshoppers, the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression and natural diasters. The family clings to each other during WW II and the German prejudices as well as fought against the Spanish Flu.
Faith, love of family, perseverance, forgiveness, and the strength of the land creates a drama that fills one's heart.
