Prairie Visions: The Life and Times of Solomon Butcher

by Pam Conrad

A collection of photos and stories about photographer Solomon Butcher and turn-of-the-century Nebraska

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

96 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Pam Conrad (1947-1996) was an author for children. Her book Our House: Stories of Levittown was a Newbery Medal finalist.

Ms. Conrad was born in New York City and graduated from the New School for Social Research.

Reviews

[Connie D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is written for children, so the writing is rather elementary, but it is still a great collection of stories for anyone of life on the prairie (Nebraskan, specifically) around the turn of the century. I love looking at this collection of old photos, and it makes me want to see Solomon Butcher's Pioneer History of Custer Country, Nebraska.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

1856 - 1927

Anyone with an interest in the history of the westward movement probably has heard of Solomon Butcher. I don't know why I never heard about him until this month. The annual postcard show was this weekend, and one of the dealers was from Nebraska, so I checked his stock and promptly found two postcards with views by S.B. Neither view appealed to me, but I'll watch for others. I'd like to have one of his postcards in my collection.

In the 'Final Word' Conrad wrote,
As I look at these old pictures, I have so many questions. ... Who is that peeking from behind the door? ... And what about that black-and white dog that's in so many of the pictures? Is that a particular breed of mutt that flourished in Custer County at the end of the century? Or is it Solomon Butcher's own dog ...
And that's one reason why I, too, enjoy studying old photos.

This book appealed to my mother, so she sat down and read it in one sitting. She doesn't usually read books (newspapers, magazines, and newsletters are her usual fare), and I suspect that she would give this a 4-star rating.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short historical glimpse of the pioneer experience, by an early ph0tographer Solomon Butcher including stories in his photographs and recorded histories.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s book of photos with interesting narrative about the Nebraskan pioneer families. It is a recommended book to compliment a PBS Special.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick book of photos taken by Solomon Butcher of early settlers in Nebraska. I enjoyed it.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to teach an historical fiction book called Prairie Songs by Pam Conrad to my 8th graders. It's a great rendition of pioneer life in Nebraska. One of the characters was a Solomon Butcher who was traveling through the state taking photographs of the settlers (for a book he wanted to publish). As I was organizing my new classroom I found this book. Solomon Butcher was a real person!! This photo-biography was a delightful children's book about Butcher's life including many of his pictures and descriptions of Nebraskan pioneer life.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-fiction, about a photographer who travelled the prairies photographing the people who lived there.

[Cws]

J770.92Con

[Kinsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love history and at the time we were talking a little about this guy if you like history read this book!

[Tammy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great photos of homesteaders and sod homes.