Going Driftless: Life Lessons from the Heartland for Unraveling Times

by Stephen Lyons

Something truly fascinating is afoot in a region of the Upper Midwest commonly known as the Driftless that runs counter to many of the trends in the rest of the nation and just might be blueprint for the future of a downsized United States. Covering parts of four states—Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota—that share a shoreline with the Mississippi River, the Driftless area was spared the glacial activity that leveled the rest of the Midwest landscape. What is left is a common culture of tucked away hills and valleys, where small-scale farming, a respect and love of nature, and close-knit community are a way of life.

A seasoned journalist known for his nuanced reporting, Stephen J. Lyons tells the stories of the Driftless through the colorful and unforgettable voices of residents who defy easy characterizations and lazy narratives. Readers will meets seed savers, off-the-gridders, birders, farmers, musicians, artists, and writers, all who share a common bond in a separate nation called the Driftless.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2015

Reviews

[Marilee Steffen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I live at the outer East edges of the driftless area in southern Wisconsin. I had hoped for stories of people in the area but was disappointed that almost all the people interviewed were "back to the landers" or organic farmers or businesses. I did learn a few new things about the area of my home but mostly I could not identify with the folks the author spent time with.

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up a bit south of the Driftless, in a small town in Illinois along the Mississippi. The land and the people have much of the character described in “Going Driftless,” and I’ve always considered my region closely related to our upstream neighbors. After reading this book, though, I don’t think we’re quite as remote, in many ways. The land where I grew up was more conducive to building railroads and highways, and having I-80 just down the way I think lends us a bit more worldliness, good or bad, compared to those from the more difficult landscape of the Driftless. In “Going Driftless,” the author makes the case that the more difficult, hilly terrain has given the region a unique ecology as well as a unique set of residents that value the remoteness.

The book focuses on those two differences in the area, the ecology and the residents. The author puts forward the thought that the food grown here tastes different, and he spends a lot of ink talking about apples. He then includes interviews and stories about residents from around the area, often those who “march to the beat of a different drummer” in some way (feeling like the generation beyond the hippy generation, with Zen retreats and intentional communities and a liberal arts college at the center of an active small town). I found the stories interesting and fun to read, and I kept looking for and finding things that remind me of my home town. I have been listening to the community radio station in the Driftless town of Viroqua, Wisconsin, called WDRT, and the people hosting the radio shows are “of a kind” described in this book. (The radio station is highly recommended for music variety and local stories.)

I really enjoyed the writing style of the author, but there were a few bits I wondered about. The focus on apples was a bit over the top. And I can’t figure out why the author spent years gathering stories from the residents – at points it seems the author had a plan for the book and wrote a little bit at a time regularly over five or more years. This does give the overall book some timelessness, but it seemed odd given the familiar tone of the writing that the author didn’t explain his timeframe. Overall, I would gladly read more on the Driftless, and I would read more by this author. And I think I'd like to visit Luther College - this book contains one of the best "pitches" for a small college town that I've read.

[Bruce Whitmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. I am a retired farmer and also one who worked with hundreds of farm and farm-related people in the WI Driftless region. I found it interesting to read the analysis of the people's culture, innate attractiveness and dedication to the region whether they actually realized it or could explain it themselves.

Due to family connections and stage or life, I remain centered in eastern WI. I have mentioned a number of times to my family that, if I did not have this present connection to my current location, I would move to the Driftless region of WI.

Again, I enjoyed the book. Thanks Stephen.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. I am a retired farmer and also one who worked with hundreds of farm and farm-related people in the WI Driftless region. I found it interesting to read the analysis of the people's culture, innate attractiveness and dedication to the region whether they actually realized it or could explain it themselves.

Due to family connections and stage or life, I remain centered in eastern WI. I have mentioned a number of times to my family that, if I did not have this present connection to my current location, I would move to the Driftless region of WI.

Again, I enjoyed the book. Thanks Stephen.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book proved to be a good introduction to the Driftless Region, a part of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois all along the Mississippi River. I’ve always been intrigued by this area where the glaciers bypassed and so is not flattened midwestern land but hills and valleys. David Rhodes wrote a wonderful novel called Driftless which talks about Place and how where you live, geographically and physically affects you. Having read Rhodes’ book and others by him, I really enjoyed spending the last few days in the region.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my Goodreads list for a long time. Finally ordered a used copy. Simultaneously, my sister and I have a trip planned to the Driftless Area this fall. I appreciated the history, especially the geology. I’m still curious about the residents who aren’t part of the back-to-earth culture.

[Anthony Gargiulo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoy reading anything by Stephen Lyons. I've been to places in the Driftless and this book certainly makes you feel like you're there. SL adds research where needed, but this does not impede on the dialogue that takes place between him and the people he encounters in the Driftless which really makes this read appealing.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author spends several years investigating a unique area of the upper Midwest, culturally and geologically. It is a valuable resource for further reading, fiction and non-, with fair writing. The book whet my appetite for more exploration of life and art from the Driftless region.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to go there.

[John Musgrove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic book - very thought-provoking.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. Couldn’t finish.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the question that drives this book - what makes a region in the U.S.? Geology, ecology, culture, economy...? Is the Driftless a distinct region, and what makes it so different from any other farming/small-town landscape? Just about all the interview subjects and profiles of towns take on some form of this question.

You're not going to get a big, comprehensive picture of the answer - the book is mostly interested in positive stories and a particular set of characters - and that made it difficult to see anything as a "life lesson" in my own very different context. But it makes for some really interesting discussions on identity and place and the kind of world the folks in the book want to make. Despite the back-cover promise of lessons for the rest of the country, the author seems very aware that he's talking to and about a pretty limited set of folks, and a demographic that's older, whiter, and more educated than much of the rest of the country. Go into it looking for a personal exploration of idealism, community, and ecology, and you won't be disappointed - I picked it up with more of a "tell me how these towns got to be good places to live" frame of mind and had to switch gears.

I think this would be a great read for someone who's turning over questions in their head about where and how to live and wants to invite the Driftless's idealist weirdos* into that mental conversation. And I recommend reading it with the internet close at hand so you can bookmark some of the many books to read and places to visit that you'll come across.

*I mean that in the nicest way possible, of course.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I live in the Driftless area the topic caught my eye, and it doesn't hurt to know one of the persons interviewed by the author. Lyons' tone is a bit boosterish and it made me wonder if he was commissioned by a chamber of commerce. It is informative read about a place I love.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who know their heart belongs here, or who are grappling with their separation from their idealistic youth (as is the author in the C-thread storyline), or who simply want to briefly meet sone of the interesting people who call this place home.

[Janette Mcmahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I found this book interesting, but at times felt this was nothing more than a great marketing ad for the area.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it! Reminds me of a scaled down Blue Highways

[Harley Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a neat introduction to this region, it makes me want to visit and explore more.