Hard Times

by John Hansen

The year was 1929. Times were tough. If you had a job you would be well advised to hang on to it. But for Phil Caldwell, the lure of free government land was strong. He was almost 40 years old and had been working for other people all his life and didn’t have much to show for it, at least in his mind he didn’t. And so, in spite of his wife Martha’s pleas to the contrary, they left their relatively easy life in Lincoln, Nebraska for the desolate plains of eastern Montana to stake their claim to a 320 acre homestead. It was, according to the brochures distributed by the government and the railroad, a land of good soil and bountiful crops. That might have been true, had mother-nature cooperated, but that didn’t happen. Instead, hard times befell Phil and Martha taking their lives in a direction they’d never imagined going.

221 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2019

About the author

I grew up on a ranch in southern Idaho. It is here that I developed a love of the land and animals, unspoiled places that when I'm there I sometimes think; "This country probably looked this way a 150 years ago." I'm so grateful that places like this still exist in our modern times. My desire to write started at a very young age - about nine, as I recall. And too, my interest in western history began around this time. I was a voracious reader of the various western history magazines. I felt a connection of sorts to the characters in these magazines as my great grandmother single handedly captured several bank robbers who came to my grandparent's ranch wanting food and water. Writing, however, was something that I did in my spare time until about two years ago when I retired from a career as a wildlife biologist and wildland firefighter. Now, I spend a good deal of my time writing. I enjoy writing as it seems to come easy and it gives me satisfaction. When I'm not writing, my wife, our dog Bella, and I are usually hiking in the mountains of Montana or Idaho and fishing. I've read books by most of the prominent western authors but the writers who have influenced me most are probably; Hemingway, Ivan Doig and Thomas Savage.

Reviews

[K Lions · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obtained this bargain-priced book because the author is nominated for a Chanticleer Award, and I am attending the conference. Hard Times was “a great escape.” Enjoyable and quick read that took me on a journey to another place and time well-researched in factual American History. Totally outside my normal reading box; what a interesting perspective on Prohibition, homesteaders, and survival in 1929-30.

[Barbara Fraley · Rating 2 out of 5]

hardships around homesteaders - when the dirt was dry, the rain wouldn't come and when it did, it was in the form of hail that destroyed the crops. the only avenue for saving your home was and illegal one...

[Barbara Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite page turner

Sometimes I try to come up with different scenarios while reading the book

I enjoyed this author

I’ve always found it interesting what happened during that era

[Norman D. Voiles · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story, but the author's attempt to write dialect was terrible and actually made the book much more difficult to read. I won't be returning to John Hansen for this reason.

[glen williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star

I enjoyed this story I have always enjoyed stories that the good guy wins can’t wait till I will get to another of his books

[Donna Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice Story

I liked the suspense involved & that the book had a hero. Kind of like watching an old timey Western.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard Times

Very entertaining and interesting storyline about the difficulties encountered in trying to farm land that is not the best and the weather is not cooperative. Desperate times require desperate measures but what price will be paid ?

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read

Finally a book that keeps your interest from beginning to end. Easy flow, good story line that takes you into each chapter.