My Nebraska: The Good, the Bad, and the Husker

by Roger L. Welsch

Roger Welsch is a fierce fan of Nebraska . . . not the football team, or even the state's famous beef, or its endless sky, or its ferocious and ferociously unpredictable weather. The license plates on his car read CAPT NEB, and he means it. Welsch loves Nebraska as the heart of America's Great Plains. His perception of the state is not always conventional—occasionally it may even be aggravating and abrasive—but he's thought about this place called "Fly-Over Country" or "The Middle of Nowhere" or "The End of the Earth" a lot. And what he has to say about it makes some interesting reading for natives and outsiders alike, for those who love the place and those who would rather travel through hell than make another drive across Nebraska's endless miles. Welsch has published three dozen books about his other passions, from old tractors to dogs, edible wild plants, and sod houses. Now he writes about his first and real his beloved Nebraska.

Genres: Humor

244 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

About the author

Roger Lee Welsch (November 6, 1936 – September 30, 2022) was an American news reporter who was a senior correspondent on the CBS News Sunday Morning program, and was featured in a segment called "Postcards from Nebraska." An author, humorist and folklorist, Welsch was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, the only son of Christian Welsch, who worked in a Goodyear tire factory and Bertha (Flach) Welsch, a homemaker.[1] He lived outside of Dannebrog, Nebraska.

Welsch earned a bachelor's degree in 1958 and a master's degree in 1960, both in German and both at the University of Nebraska. He also studied folklore at the University of Colorado and Indiana University.[1]

Welsch was the 2005 winner of the Henry Fonda Award from the State of Nebraska Travel and Tourism Division.

Reviews

[Jeff Mohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welsch strikes again! Another book full of his own special brand of humor, insights, and idiosyncratic observations about "his Nebraska" hence the title "My Nebraska." Everything from poets to prairies, roads to ruffians, big and small towns, cowboys and Indians. Nebraska bores those who won't get off I-80 and seduces those who stop, slow down and take in the quiet and solitude of its sparseness. Another great Welsch read. If you like his other books this one will not disappoint.

[Julie Reiter · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Nebraska! I love living in Nebraska and I love exploring Nebraska. So when I put this book on my to reads list I thought I’d be in for a treat. Not really. Roger Welsh came off too arrogant and too raging for me to enjoy when I thought the book was going to be a lighthearted humorous read about Nebraska like Welsh’s other book It’s Not the End of the World But I Can See It From Here (which I enjoyed better but still rated only a 3). I definitely agree with many of Welsh’s concerns especially the need to preserve our water, but his rants on everything really seemed more like stream of consciousness spewed venom than humorous well written support of Nebraska. He’s also very repetitive. Nebraska has a lot to offer and if all people see is I-80 and then complain about how boring the state is, fine by me. Nebraska can remain the best kept secret as far as I’m concerned. Less population isn’t bad and growth isn’t always good. Our slogan should forever be “Nebraska, It’s Not For Everyone.” But it is definitely for me. I can agree with Roger on that.

[Kyle Beacom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welsch mixes humor, fact, and story-telling to describe the Cornhusker State. As an example, on page 11 you can find this nugget: "An old-timer once remarked to me that living in Nebraska has a lot in common with being hanged: 'The initial jolt is fairly sudden but after you hang there a while, you kinda get used to it.' " And on page 234 Welsch discusses Interstate 80: " . . . without question the most boring, least scenic, brain-numbing way to cross the state. Whenever possible I avoid I-80, and so should you unless you enjoy staring straight ahead, communing with idiots, eating garbage, and toying with death."

Welsch's writing will make Nebraskans question why we still live here while also making you want to explore the lesser known places of our state, like Dannebrog and the Middle Loup River. If you read this book you'll learn much about our state and you'll also have a few good laughs.

[Sam Zeleski · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went searching for reasons to stay in this confounding state of my origin. It's becoming a love hate situation, but I figured Mr. Welsch would give me the best and worst with a light touch, which he did. I remain perplexed, though. He almost superficially skips through many of the things about the state that I too enjoy. He also generously critiques a number of misgivings about Nebraska. As he has landed in his own safe haven, he has an advantage over most including myself in appreciating his chosen slices of Nebraska's 'good life.' It may also be the 12 years since he penned this work have been during times of such dramatic change that the relevancy has slipped a bit. While I enjoyed reading 'My Nebraska' I have no enthusiasm for recommending others give it a look.