Manfred's novels are very much connected to his native region. His stories involve the American Midlands, and the prairies of the West. He named the area where the borders of Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska meet, "Siouxland." (wikipedia)
This takes place during WW1 in northwest Iowa. About a young man growing up on a farm so one learns of life back then with all the hardships. Our daughter turned us on to this old book - but it is an interesting read.