Old Jules by Mari Sandoz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book begins in 1884 when Jules Sandoz is 22. He is a recently arrived immigrant from Switzerland, a bright, educated young man who wants to move to the American frontier and build up the country. He hopes his Swiss sweetheart Rosalie will join him.

**Some minor spoilers below**

In this masterful account of her father's life, Mari Sandoz records the next fifty years of life in the panhandle of Nebraska, in the far northwest of the state in the sandhills, the high country, the area in close proximity to the Indian wars that were closing as Old Jules arrives (he is an eyewitness to the Wounded Knee massacare site the next day when it was still strewn with the bodies of Native women and children).

As you can imagine, the life is exceedingly difficult, and we read of many settlers who couldn't take it -- left, went insane, committed suicide. Jules is constantly luring more settlers to the area, locating them on homesteads, giving advice, learning what crops will grow in the difficult region. He fights ranchers, the government, his fellow settlers (even old friends). He has an early accident that almost kills him and is nursed back to health (though he remains a cripple) by the later famous Dr. Walter Reed.

He is not a lovable character. One is captivated by him, but one does not like him. The author-daughter doesn't even seem to. She respects and admires him, clearly, but she doesn't seem to like him. He beats his wives (there are four -- Rosalie never comes). He beats his children, especially if they cry too much as infants. He erupts into rages, even at old friends. He doesn't do much of the work himself, treats his family as the help. You are reminded of a VERY different time. Much of what he does would be criminal today, though he fought the criminal element of his day.

Mari Sandoz tells the story in broad strokes, where those are needed, and in great detail, where that is required. The book never bogs down, and it never goes too quickly. The pacing is perfect.

Her writing style is vivid. Spare in the great American tradition, but alert to detail and the proper use of descriptives. She has a great grasp of the little vignette that reveals much.

It is an entertaining and informative read, and I highly recommend it.

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