Honoring Anna: Book II: The Winds of Time

Honoring Anna #2

by Douglas Hoff

Alone, the beautiful young Anna immigrated to America from an Island in the North Sea at 16, running from cruelty. Honor forced her to leave her fiancée in New York, and she found herself running again, this time from love. Working her way across America she brought her work ethic and her own style of integrity and love wherever she went. In Dakota Anna found love again, but with it and her life there came an abundance of hardship, sometimes taking her faith and courage close to the breaking point. This novel follows the true life story of Anna, starting where Honoring Anna left off. Life on their prairie homestead was often harsh and the country and it's perils were often unyielding, but it also had its heartwarming and rewarding moments and triumphs. Honoring Anna, The Winds of Time takes the reader through the Dirty Thirties, The Great Depression, the year of the wolves, WWII, and homesteading hardships like none other ever written, through the eyes of those that experienced it. It is a piece of American history that will make you cry one minute and stand up and cheer the next, and will inspire you to reach for the levels of courage and honor that these amazing immigrants possessed.

297 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2020

Reviews

[Alexw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating true story about the American pioneer spirit and the will to survive.

[LBR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honoring Anna Book II: The Winds of Time is the second book in the Honoring Anna series. This book begins with a summary of what happened in the first installment, which followed Anna leaving Norway, sailing across the Atlantic, meeting Rasmus, parting ways with him, and eventually making the long trek from New York to the Midwest. In this first book she meets another Norwegian immigrant, Iver, and marries him and has his child. The second book opens while Anna is pregnant with her second son, Arthur, and goes into depth about life on the prairie.

The author does a terrific job explaining the many nuances and obstacles that farmers had to deal with on a daily basis, showing readers that resilience was essential to survive during those times. The book continues by exploring other life changes and national events that Anna and Iver experience, along with the many people who become part of their journey.

Overall, it is a thorough and heartfelt account of a real immigrant family who came to America and worked tirelessly to help build the foundation of this country. Anna’s grit, perseverance, and faith shine through this novel just as strongly as in the first one, leaving readers in awe of the matriarch who sacrificed so much for her family.

[Sally Tvedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed every minute of this book

I love books about our heritage.. this family quickly claimed my heart.. the perseverance thru feast and famine.. yet still maintaining kindness and dignity.. they will sit in. Y heart for a long time. I wish there were more books like this. Anna was a remarkable lady..

[Betty Sapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honoring Anna

A beautiful story of immigrants and their being apart of the settling of the west.

Both books are A must read!

[Linda Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is honestly one of the best books I have ever read. It is written with so much detail and realism, through many years. I also read the author’s previous book about Anna, when she immigrated from Europe. The whole saga of Anna’s life is inspiring, informative and wonderful. The treacherous years of the 1930s were so unbelievable, and her tenacious faith and physical stamina amazing. I learned so much about the history of our nation and the power of love and faith made this a perfect book for me.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed reading this book. Makes me wish my grandparents were still around to ask them to tell me their life stories. I know my grandpa came over to Ellis island from Scotland when he was only 7 years old, one of my grandmas was an orphan and I ready don't know too much about my other grandparents however I can guarantee each one of them had a life story that now will never be told.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real life story of an immigrant from Norway

This is a 2 book story of a 16 year old girl moving to America, by Ellis Island, getting work as restaurant cook, the same in the next town. Her whole story and eventually having a family on a ranch in South Dakota.

[larry l. jerke]

Perhaps because I am a grandma and from South Dakota, this book is the BEST I've read. My husband has been writing his life story, and I hope he continues. I loved how it went from immigration to retirement.

[Dolores Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding rendition of the Norwegian Immigrants lives and how they endured the harsh life of North Western South Dakota and the Dust Bowl erra.

[Tammy Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book is almost as good as the first; great read!

[Charles Lovelace, III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read all about her life. It provided a good history lesson too.

[Kathy Dagg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amazing life story but read like a textbook. Got tired of how good and smart she was. I met the author in South Dakota by Crazy Horse...signed books.

[Dolores Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding