To young Cyrus it seemed strange that there hadn't been much change in harvesting since Bible days. "Except that men used scythes now and they have cradles on them to bunch the wheat!" said his father.

Why—men had better houses, better wells—but no one seemed to want to do anything to help the farmer!

Well maybe he could...!

In this true and vivid story of Cyrus McCormick and his wonderful invention, the author has succeeded in making him, his family, his friends and associates, and his slave boy, Joe, real people, whom one learns to know and with whom one sympathizes.

Pointed up against the background of the period are the many things Cyrus had to contend with in persevering with the ideas that resulted in the invention of the reaper which was to mean so much in the economic and social development of the country.

From the dust jacket