Pure Nostalgia: Memories of Early Iowa

by Carl Hamilton (Editor)

Copyright 1979, first edition, hardcover with dustjacket, 212 pages with b/w illustrations and many photos throughout. "Experiences of early Iowa life 1850-1940. In 1854 motherless Asanath Hampton Gable and siblings left Ohio to join their Iowa father; Des Moines urchin T. I. (Timmie) Stoner, in 1869 became a successful businessman; The Findlay family came to Clay County in 1870 in covered wagons; Ira Nichols, a livery boy in Glidden, Iowa later attended college at Ames in 1886 and became an outspoken newspaperman; Albert Parks Butts was a railroad man 1904-1956 who recorded his experiences as a conductor amonst the immigrants, peddlers, policitians, gamblers, and youngsters heading to wars; Bert and Imogene Hamilton on a 270-acre livestock farm during the bitter winter of 1936 with multiple blizzards from January 18 through February 22 which closed schools, stalled trains, towns ran out of coal and food while livestock froze; and more." Front of dustjacket had 3-inch rip and stain at upper-right corner with several 1/2 inch edge-rips. Book corners are slight bent with rolled spine edges. Binding is secure in this unmarked book.

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing stories from the not too distant past in Iowa, we need more reminders of how life used to be.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really delightful mix of stories. Some were better than others, but overall, it was a fun read.

[Alex Verink · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of autobiographical writing from people who lived in Iowa in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A great set of little windows into the past with so many rich details to hold on to. As a Wisconsinite living in 2020, this has been a great reminder of how a place and a people that are so close in both time and space can still seem so foreign.

[Sharla · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.