The book contains events from her life and the lives of her relatives, and it focuses on cycles of poverty and social class in the u. A year ago this month came her debut book, heartland. Food and beer writer pete dulin explores kansas citys hopinfused history and more than sixty breweries from the frontier era to the twentyfirst century. A memoir from the hardworking heartland the new york times. Michael parry mazur library the heartland institute hosts one of the nations best libraries on freedom and limited government with more than 14,600 books. Smarshs family history, tracing generations of teen mothers and kansas farmerlaborers, forsakes.
Throughout the book an apparition of the authors unborn child pops into the. Sketches of early days in kearny county kansas historical society. Hamilton county, kansas history floyd editor edwards on. During smarshs turbulent childhood in kansas in the 80s and 90s, the forces of cyclical poverty and the countrys changing economic policies solidified her familys place among the working poor. A history of hamilton county, located in western kansas. When all the books were returned the box sent on to the next community, a new shipment of books was received. In 1989, boulevard brewing kicked off the local craft beer renaissance, and a bevy of breweries soon formed a flourishing community. A memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest country on earth is a 2018 nonfiction book by american journalist sarah smarsh. Heartland recounts five generations of smarsh exploits in the farmlands of kansas, from pioneer days to the obama era, when the author finally breaks into the middle class. A history of lawrence, kansas, from the first settlement to the close of the rebellion. Growing up workingclass white on the kansas plains, smarsh enjoyed the freedom of a country childhood, but witnessed the hideous legacy of poverty in her relatives untreated illnesses, unsafe job.
Thomas franks bestselling book whats the matter with kansas. With the passage of the homestead act 1862 over 270 million acres of land was available for settlement on the american plains. I researched and wrote about kansas citys hopinfused history and more than sixty breweries from the frontier era to the twentyfirst century. If you are looking to just get your feet wet in the history of kansas, this book. Full text of history and anniversary of hartland, vermont. Obituaries of lakin and hartland cemeteries, kearny county, kansas. Heartland is sarah smarshs memoir of growing up poor in rural kansas, herself the youngest of generations of poor women, and the effect that systematic poverty has on her people. Books were then circulated over a period of six months. The book contains some interesting points about growing up rural and poor, and includes some eyeopening anecdotes about herself and her family. Hartland, population zero, is located in the southwest corner of the state.
The book is a personal, decadeslong story of americas coordinated assault on its underclass. In this furious, regretful, and loving memoir, sarah smarsh examines the life of americas rural poor through the microcosm of her extended family. All books were new and boasted being of interest to all classes of readers. A memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest country on. Published by the history press as part of its american palate series, this book is a look at a slice of the citys growth through the brewing industry over a nearly 170year period through stories and color and bw photos. Heartland a memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest country on earth book. Kansas author sarah smarsh visits kc to promote heartland the. Sarah smarsh is a kansasbased journalist who has reported for the new york times, the guardian, and many other publications.
Heartland is sarah smarshs memoir of growing up poor in rural kansas. A memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest country on earth, was a finalist for the national book award. A memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest country on earth is a resounding story by sarah smarsh of her family life, heritage and farming culture on the kansas prairie. In heartland, sarah smarsh offers a cleareyed account of. Everyday discount prices and great customer service. Hartland received its first shipment of 50 volumes from the state library commission in august of 1898. The courthouse had burned and the tug of war between lakin and hartland was imminent. Heartland book by sarah smarsh official publisher page. Finalist for the national book award and the kirkus prize. Her personal history affirms the corrosive impact intergenerational poverty can have on. Hartland township, kearny county, kansas wikipedia. Few things remain of dead kansas town news, sports, jobs.
Obituaries of deerfield, fairview, and miscellaneous kearny county cemeteries, kearny. Heartland was a finalist for the national book award for nonfiction in 2018. A memoir of working hard and being broke in the richest. Topeka, ks state librarian eric norris announced today the 14th annual selection of kansas notable books. Hartland township is a township in kearny county, kansas, usa.