Rachel Calof S Story: Jewish Homesteader on the Northern Plains

Excellent documentary of life just a generation or 2 ago. We've had amazing transformation in the last 100 years. Can one imagine what this century is going to bring, just comparing what Rachel Calef's family endured just before World War I. Excellently written and should be read by all generations to show what the homesteaders had to endure just to survive.

My family lived close to the Calof family as well as to the other Jewish settlers in this area. I remember my Father speaking about the settlement in nothing but the fondest terms, but he also discussed with us the hardships these people lived. Their cemetary was built on land that is owned by my uncles family.I read this book ,therefore, with knowledge of the history of the settlement..I can only say, talk about history becoming alive. this is one of the rare true stories of courage,love, faith and determination that we as lovers of our nations heritage will have the priviledge of reading. It is completely absorbing and I feel that it would make a wonderful production for a movie or theatical event. Read this story, It by passes any fictional story for reading ,this is how the west was settled. Some people had great success but many, many, had to strive to keep hope and life alive.

For the last 26 years I have taught American History at the high school and college levels. I have read hundreds of history books on a variety of subjects over the years. Rarely have a found a book that is revealing as this one. This short, very descriptive and moving book is exactly what students should be reading if they want to learn about history. To those who think history is boirng, I say--read this book! It tells more about life in the West than books five times its size.

Rachel Calof's spellbinding narrative gives a rarely seen view of life on the frontier. In her story there are no cowboys, Indians, or saloons. Instead, she recounts battles with the harsh winters, crops, family, and privacy, giving the modern world a realistic view of life in the `Wild West.' Calof's style is incredibly powerful - her simple, matter of fact narration not only gives the reader a new perspective on frontier life but also moves one emotionally. Her emotions are so raw and intense, one finds oneself sharing Calof's anger, tears, and joy. Historically, Calof's novel has much merit, it is not often that one hears about Jewish or female settlers on the frontier. This realistic glimpse of existence on the frontier brings the hardships and trials of the early settlers to life. Besides giving a clear historical perspective, Calof's narrative gives the reader an important message. Calof teaches the reader that if one wants to improve one's life, or reach a goal, one must work hard and patiently for it, and never give up. As a whole, Rachel Calof's Story is truly both a historical and literary treasure, and as Rachel Calof teaches us in her own words, "if you love the living of life you must know the journey was well worth it," and through Calof's book, readers are able to understand both the hardships and the joys of the long American journey westward.

This is one of my favorite books. It's the true story (in her own words) of Rachel, an impoverished young Russian Jewish woman who was abandoned by her family and came to the US in the late 1800s for an arranged marriage to another poor Jewish immigrant. Together they became homesteaders in the bleak midwest, where they forged a life and created a large family while braving harsh winters in dire poverty. Rachel and her husband had no privacy, as his parents shared their tiny, one-room shack for a large part of every year. Rachel's writing is unsentimental and very moving. I wish someone would make a movie of this book.