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Prairie
Prairie is a vivid portrait of the spirit and passions of a bold new land and of the men and women who embodied its shining future. C.B. Irwin, a legend who rode the wild American west into a new frontier—the 20th century. From wagon trains and cattle drives to the birth of the railroads and airplanes, Burton shaped America's destiny.
1120 pages, Paper back
First published January 1, 1986
13 people are currently reading
435 people want to read
About the author
Anna Lee Waldo
15 books91 followersAnna Lee Waldo wrote the best-selling historical novel, SACAJAWEA. Her interest in the subject began as a child when she collected spear points on the shores of Whitefish Lake in Montana and listened to stories of Blackfeet and Crow grandmothers.
It took her ten years to write about the first woman to go with a military contingent, with a baby in a cradleboard, half way across the North American continent. Anna Lee is now writing a sequence of books that began in Wales in the twelfth century called the DRUID CIRCLE series. These books are based on the elusive history of the son of Prince Owain Gwynedd, named Madoc, who came to America in 1170.
It took her ten years to write about the first woman to go with a military contingent, with a baby in a cradleboard, half way across the North American continent. Anna Lee is now writing a sequence of books that began in Wales in the twelfth century called the DRUID CIRCLE series. These books are based on the elusive history of the son of Prince Owain Gwynedd, named Madoc, who came to America in 1170.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 10, 2018
Many years ago I read and loved Sacajawea, so when I came across this novel by Anna Lee Waldo, I picked it up expecting another epic adventure. It was and it wasn't.
At first I found it a little stilted as historical fiction can be when the author is trying to fit many accurate details into the tale. Then, I became involved in the story itself and marveled at the man and his life.
This is the story of Charlie, or C.B. Irwin a western man who went from a rope-twirling boy living in a sod house to being a rancher and staging wild west shows extraordinaire.
I became enthralled with the larger-than-life man and his family and their lives. When I finished this big book I had to Google C.B. Irwin to make sure that he was a real person. I found photos of him and some members of his family.
While the numerous Frontier Days details felt overdone (but I'm guessing these are some of the existing records the author found), Charlie Irwin was a man of his time and his place in the world and I feel like I lived there for a week or me.
At first I found it a little stilted as historical fiction can be when the author is trying to fit many accurate details into the tale. Then, I became involved in the story itself and marveled at the man and his life.
This is the story of Charlie, or C.B. Irwin a western man who went from a rope-twirling boy living in a sod house to being a rancher and staging wild west shows extraordinaire.
I became enthralled with the larger-than-life man and his family and their lives. When I finished this big book I had to Google C.B. Irwin to make sure that he was a real person. I found photos of him and some members of his family.
While the numerous Frontier Days details felt overdone (but I'm guessing these are some of the existing records the author found), Charlie Irwin was a man of his time and his place in the world and I feel like I lived there for a week or me.
March 25, 2013
One of the best books I have ever read. A must read for anyone in Wyoming. Hard to find, though.
August 12, 2023
I didn't know going into this book, that the story and characters were real.
And from wagon trains, cattle drives, then the birth of railroads and airplanes.
The beginning of this book took time getting into.
The author I felt tried to fit too many "accurate" historical details into the tale.
Constant "Frontier Day" overdone details.
Then add in characters growing up, then the courting, Romance,
( very limited ) where is some passion here? having a family, then all the boring historical detail of their life.
It just dragged on and on, no excitement until the end.
One of the main characters dies.
Finally emotion!
Well, the only time something wasn't over done and maybe too brief.
Can't win them all...
Lovely cover though front and back of book.
But if you really want to tackle this book. A shorter and less time consuming version is to be found on Wikipedia or Google.
I still haven't decided whether to tackle Sacajawea after this one.
And from wagon trains, cattle drives, then the birth of railroads and airplanes.
The beginning of this book took time getting into.
The author I felt tried to fit too many "accurate" historical details into the tale.
Constant "Frontier Day" overdone details.
Then add in characters growing up, then the courting, Romance,
( very limited ) where is some passion here? having a family, then all the boring historical detail of their life.
It just dragged on and on, no excitement until the end.
One of the main characters dies.
Finally emotion!
Well, the only time something wasn't over done and maybe too brief.
Can't win them all...
Lovely cover though front and back of book.
But if you really want to tackle this book. A shorter and less time consuming version is to be found on Wikipedia or Google.
I still haven't decided whether to tackle Sacajawea after this one.
March 17, 2019
10 years ago my Dad loaned me this book...I finally found the time to dig in and I couldn’t put it down! This book is now one of my very favorites. My family lived in the area around Cheyenne during this time, making it even more interesting!
February 25, 2017
I never heard of Charles Burton Irwin. But we read the book out loud while driving around the country, including South Dakota and Wyoming. It took a while to get "into" the story. But that was the book we had in the car and it eventually got my interest. "C.B" certainly became acquainted with lots of well known folks of the new 20th Century.
September 17, 2023
Well, I admit I did not finish this book and NOT because it was long, I love long books.
I read Sacajawea in the 80s and loved it, so when I saw this book at the used bookstore I did not hesitate to purchase. I do not know if the style of writing is different than Sacajawea or my expectations are more sophisticated from reading so much in the past 40 years, but this book was far too simplistic to enjoy. The writing almost juvenile with minimal to no character development or depth. I read nearly a 1/4 and have no investment whatsoever in Charlie- the protagonist. So, putting it down and moving on to something else; disappointed as was looking forward to a long read....
I read Sacajawea in the 80s and loved it, so when I saw this book at the used bookstore I did not hesitate to purchase. I do not know if the style of writing is different than Sacajawea or my expectations are more sophisticated from reading so much in the past 40 years, but this book was far too simplistic to enjoy. The writing almost juvenile with minimal to no character development or depth. I read nearly a 1/4 and have no investment whatsoever in Charlie- the protagonist. So, putting it down and moving on to something else; disappointed as was looking forward to a long read....
March 4, 2022
3.5 stars
September 30, 2023
The history in it was interesting but overall the book qas really long.
February 15, 2025
One of my all time favorite historical fiction reads!
March 25, 2025
A biography of a great man that was turned into somewhat awkward historical fiction
August 31, 2009
Anna Lee Waldo's meticulously researched historical novel is detailed book about the life of CB Irwin. Probably most of my fellow reader friends would find this book lengthy and boring but I enjoyed it and learned a lot about a man that little is known outside of Laramie, WY.
Ever since reading this book, I've always thought twice about the color yellow! CB Irwin was exceedingly superstitious about the color.
Ever since reading this book, I've always thought twice about the color yellow! CB Irwin was exceedingly superstitious about the color.
December 2, 2011
book is written by same person who wrote story of Sacjawea. If you like historical novels about the old west you will like this. I found the book at a library book sale. It is almost 700 pages long and that's in an oversized paperback! Story is about Charles Burton Irwin (who I have never heard of) but it is a true story. Good book so far!
Read
November 19, 2008W Wal
April 19, 2011
It was a very long tome.
August 2, 2011
Good enough to re-read years later
February 20, 2012
This papaerback book was over 1100 pages and I finally got done reading it.It is a true story and is very interesting and gald I stuck with it and read it.
October 11, 2016
Boring plot. Only read to page 40.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews