Dakota Circle

by Thomas D. Isern

The author of Dakota Circle has great hopes for the Great Plains, because despite a history of human and environmental tragedy, "eventually the land has its way with people, space becomes place, and viable, even elegant patterns of culture emerge. People stand more squarely on thier own feet, they speak for themselves, they build structures that back up their words, and they relate to one another in the fashion of a community. This is a work in progress." Confident in the regional future, historian and traveler Tom Isern is free to explore the delights of regional life--from fiberglass pheasants to Montana caviar--and to invite readers of Dakota Circle along for some excursions on the true plains.

195 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Professor of History & University Distinguished Professor, North Dakota State University
Author & presenter of Plains Folk on Prairie Public radio (and NPR One)
Author & presenter of the Willow Creek Folk School, livestream at plainsfolk.com
Married to historian & editor Suzzanne Kelley
Home in North Dakota, farm in Kansas
Bethany Swede
OSU Cowboy
NDSU Bison
Originator of the following Goodreads Listopia lists:
*The Dakota War in Dakota Territory
*German-Russian Country
Goodreads group manager, "Great Plains Book Club"

Join Prof. Isern for the Willow Creek Folk School, Fridays at 8pm Central, on the Facebook timeline of Plains Folk.

Plains Folk - listen and read at Prairie Public , or download the NPR One app, search for Plains Folk, and subscribe.

Reviews

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are places in this book where the author gets at the essence of life on the Great Plains. Some of the sections, like the extensive section in larger than life animal monuments, are less interesting, but when he focuses on understanding the core of people and place, it is a worthy read.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the stories from the plains.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey, up front I acknowledge that I know Tom Isern and(much to his chagrin)I like him. He writes about the Great Plains and he writes based on real people, real places and real life. This might irritate him, but he is a little like Confucius in that the is the "transmitter" of these stories because they have been told to him by people who came before or who live there now. If you want a real taste of the Great Plains and the people who lived and live there read his work. Another thing that I like about Tom is that he never gets in the way of the story being told.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met the author at a cattle meeting several years ago and bought his book and stuck it on the shelf, not opening it until now. If you grew up in the Dakota's I think you'll like this book, if you didn't, I don't know if you'll "get" it.

It's full of the places and people that I know, literally. And Isern was one of the few that predicted the comeback of the plains. Yes, we do end our sentences with proposition. Now go hang your coat up.