In the Kingdom of Grass

by Margaret Mackichan, Robbie Ross

"The Nebraska sandhills are ancient sand dunes of mysterious origin that have been conquered and covered over by grass." Thus begins writer Bob Ross's description of this geologically and biologically unusual part of Nebraska. These dunes are no desert, though, but comprise some 20,000 square miles of both wetlands and rangeland - part-time home to the sandhill cranes and full-time grazing and feeding ground to herds of cattle. It is a place of startling mountainous thunderclouds can dump tons of water on craters sandblasted out of the earth, transforming them into lakes, or pass maddeningly by, leaving the smoke of prairie cruel winters can freeze livestock and chill the soul, and yet give way to gentle springs that bring forth delicate wildflowers and renew the spirit.
In this volume of the Great Plains Photography Series, an acclaimed photographer and an award-winning writer combine their perspectives, acquired through intimate acquaintance with the sandhills. Margaret A. MacKichan lived with ten different families in north-central Nebraska over a period of two years. In sixty-five photographs, she shows us the open spaces and turns of the seasons of the sandhills, along with the ranching families, hired hands, and cattle buyers who inhabit the region. Bob Ross grew up in the town of Ainsworth, and in seven prose sketches gives a poignant and affectionate portrait of the loneliness and joys of small-town and ranch life.

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1992

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice

[Abby]

If, instead of being a baby girl in the early 90s, I had been an angst-ridden man on the far side of middle age, I would almost certainly have been Bob Ross the essayist. Bookish small-town boy who went away, acquired liberal leanings, and came back home against his better judgement--it's the trajectory I aspire to. I love these essays for their colorful language (acquired by osmosis from old ranchers), their crippling honesty, their appreciation of diverse and complex people, and yes, for their angst. Home is the place you know too well to love without ambivalence. Also, every book about the Sandhills should be illustrated. Cheers to the curmudgeonly Mr. Ross and the beautiful photos of Margaret MacKichan.