The Bumpy Road: Farm Life in the Great Depression

by Quentin F. Veit

Step back in time to the tiny farm community of Osage Bend, Missouri, circa 1930-1945… Part memoir, part how-to manual, The Bumpy Road paints a vivid picture of life on the farm during the Great Depression. The author, recounting stories from his boyhood, brings to life the everyday trials and tribulations of his family and neighbors as they struggle to survive under daunting economic conditions. The hard work they put in was a given (to them), and their solutions to everyday problems were ingenious by necessity. And yet, they still found time to socialize and make the church the center of their lives. These tenacious people always looked to the future with hope and determination, and that comes shining through in this book. Depression-era, yes, depressing, no! So, discover the many facets of running a farm, how chores were done, the importance of family, and the many things that tied the community together. Marvel at the strength and resourcefulness of these rural Missourians—and take some of that for yourself as we endure our own difficult times today. Includes photos and illustrations of farm tools, implements, and household items from the era, many of which you can now only find in museums.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, American History, History

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2020

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, but not quite the book I expected. I was hoping it would give a lot of detail into what it was like living during the Depression. There was detail, but most of it was of the technical nature of how things worked/were renovated/etc. The opening section (which I confess I skimmed) told more than I ever wanted to know about farm equipment like threshers and details on how to *shudder* butcher a hog. Other parts, I found interesting. Such as, how they did laundry with a gas powered (!) washer and the type of foods they preserved. The part I enjoyed most was near the end of the book, where the author talked about their schooling, the local stores and the annual church festival. I didn't dislike the book--it was just a bit too textbookish for me.

[Tiffany Jazz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was nothing like I expected. It doesn’t read as a story or memoir like the description implies - it reads like a tech manual or how to guide for homesteading in the Great Depression which wouldn’t be terrible but it was full of technical terms and illustrations of specific tools and there were dozens of pages dedicated to horse behavior that I hardly got through. Not a bad book I suppose, but not what I expected and not what I like to read.

[Jon Molnar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Excellent Step Back Into Depression Era History

My Mom was born in 1927 and grew up on a farm in Ohio. We just celebrated her 94th birthday. I told her about this book and think she will get a kick out of it. She is looking forward to reading it.
She always told me that people living on farms during the Depression were always too busy living life to worry about how little money they had. They were actually quite wealthy in other ways, which this book explains very well. It was definitely a time when families were close and looked out for one another. Electricity wasn't available for most until almost the start of WW2. So no radio or TV to interfere with their lives. People had to talk to each other to find out was going on and to entertain themselves. Something we as a nation are sorely missing today.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and even got a few laughs out of it (e.g., I liked the idea about using the wringer on the washing machine to "pop" peas out of their pods. It worked so well they had to hang sheets up to catch the peas, otherwise they would shoot across the room.)
I have recommended this book to several others and highly recommend it to all who like stories about farming and families in the early 20th century.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book has been on my to-read list for a year, I didn't realize The Bumpy Road is a memoir, rather than a novel. The short chapters are easy to get through, but the prose isn't great. What I enjoyed most about the book was that it invoked memories of growing up on a small farm in the 1960s, where we still used an old metal hay rake, used pitchforks to toss piles of hay, and stomped loose hay on the back of an open hay wagon. Life on our small farm was more similar to Veit's during the Depression than to life even in the 1990s, and I found myself nodding my head as Veit described the way he spent leisure hours, family time, and social activities. I enjoyed the memories.

[Alice Attaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Depression Farm Times brought to Life

Recommended for anyone born before World War II and for everyone born after World War II. There are so many things we take for granted today. Without the conveniences of indoor running water and electricity a typical day meant hours of work to put food on the table. Makes me very grateful for all my blessings.

[Richard Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother was raised on a farm in central Texas. I feel like the author gave me a glimpse into her life from his description of farm life during the Depression. The author really focussed on describing the elements of farm life and not his own personal history.

I recommend this book to my cousins whose parents grew up on the farm with my mother.

[Elaine Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read about farm /country life in the early - mid 1900s

My husband was brought up on a farm in Maine in the 1960s /1970s. It was so interesting to compare his life with the experiences in this book. Similarities and differences. Pinching pennies, canning, haying… what a great source this book is.

[mwendydunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read of the reality of depression life.

Wonderful descriptions and illustrations of farm implements and family life. Thank you to the author. As a city girl, I learned so much, often re-reading section, especially how farm equipment was made and used. Farm kids worked so hard. No wonder they succeeded.

[Bob Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although I did not grow up during The Depression or on a farm, as a pre-teen and teenager, I worked on a family friend's farm every summer and school break. Even in the 1960s and 1970s, we still performed the farm chores and activities in very much the same way this book describes. A great walk through the memories.

[Wendy Brook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent view of depression era farm life

I really enjoyed this family story of the way farm life was. We have some of these tools in our old barn used for storage and it was nice to read how they were used as well as stories about them.

[Jerry Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and reminded me of growing up on a farm for the first 5 years and out on the country for the rest. Reminded me of our family reunions in Illinois and how simple life was back then. Simple, but difficult as well.

[Angela Brockmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable look back

Absolutely fascinating. This book serves as a stark reminder of how industrious and creative people were generations ago! An unforgettable look back through the eyes of one who lived and thrived during those difficult years.

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book's about a Catholic farm family. The author has that faith in common with me. My family had four kids when we were growing up. One of my sisters and I kept our faith. Maybe all of us did, but as far as I can tell only two of us still practice.

[Audrey R Puentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoy the good old days of yesteryear.life was so much simpler .thanks for sharing your family's life with us.

[joyce richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book. I was raised the same way so it was all familiar to me

[Norah Baron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was slow in places but I learned so much about life about 100 years ago. I loved learning how life was back then and in a way wish life was still the same.

[Misty Sloan · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard working people

Great read. Recommend Like the history. Remember a lot of this growing up. Good author. Would live to see more.

[Darren Sapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author meant this as a supplement to a genealogy book for family but he actually produced a definitive record of American farm life in the 1930s and 40s.

[Charles Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up on a farm several years after the author and much of the book seemed familiar.

[Cyndi Berve]

From my mom’s collection. Lots of stories about the life my mom lived on the farm in Juniata, NE during the Great Depression & after.