How do you suppose our beautiful country came to be as it is today, with its rich farms, its good roads, and its fine cities and towns with their pleasant homes? Think of its safety and prosperity, of its many churches and schools, and of its bright flag of freedom.

Life was not always this way. Once, people made their homes, furniture, shoes and clothing by hand. They tamed the wilderness and ate only what they grew or hunted.

Here is a book of stories about real people and what actually happened during the pioneer days. The brave, true lives of these hardy men and women have made this beautiful country possible.

From the Purple House Press edition