Contemporary Poetry II

The story of one family's history spans the Revolutionary War to the present day. Donald Belaschky's tale of his family gives us insight into the pioneer spirit that formed our country. The exciting adventure begins as one young man, Josiah, and his brothers leave their Vermont home and travel down the "new" Erie Canal to the Mississippi River. When tragedy strikes, Josiah must make his way in the wilderness alone. Traveling west he makes a new friend, Ben, and together they trap and explore. Finally making their way back to Ohio, Josiah meets the love of his life and marries her. Together with his wife's family they travel west to Indiana in covered wagons pulled by oxen. The author's epic story unfolds the legacy of Josiah's family through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Mr. Belaschky gives the reader great insight into pioneer life, the Civil War, the Great Depression, and World War II.