“If you are truly fascinated by tales of pioneer life in 19th century America, you have to read this book.
This is Mari Sandoz's warts-and-all biography of her father, who emmigrated from Switzerland to Nebraska. She walks a fine line, pointing out his good qualities (the local Native Americans gave him a name that translated as "White Man Who Does Not Lie") while not hiding the fact that he was an abusive monster, terrorizing his wives (he was married and divorced a few times) and beating his children.
I visited the Prairie Homestead site in South Dakota a few summers back. I talked to the woman running the place about books about the Plains. I mentioned this book to her, and said, "I'm surprised none of his wives poisoned the old SOB." She agreed.”