Spring Grove: Minnesota's First Norwegian Settlement (Images of America)

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy well written non fiction you're in for a treat.
Review: Like John McPhee, Muller has the ability to take a select subject and make it fascinating. Even if you are not a history buff or a genealogy enthusiast, you will find yourself drawn in and captivated with the characters and tales from Spring Grove. I learned a lot from this book. Muller's descriptions and attention to detail point out many features of historical photographs that would otherwise have escaped our notice. It's very interesting to really think about and comprehend what day to day life was like for the early settlers in Minnesota. This book offers a glimpse into some of the odd immigrant customs carried over from the old country, for example, some farm families, after purchasing a farm would then change their surname to the name of the previous owner or the founder of the farm. Also, I was amazed to realize that many people did not own horses and since there were no other people living in this area and therefore no public transportation, if you wanted to get somewhere you had to walk and it might take a month to walk there!

Anyone who enjoys well written non fiction will enjoy Muller's work. Buy this book, you'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy well written non fiction you're in for a treat.
Review: Like John McPhee, Muller has the ability to take a select subject and make it fascinating. Even if you are not a history buff or a genealogy enthusiast, you will find yourself drawn in and captivated with the characters and tales from Spring Grove. I learned a lot from this book. Muller's descriptions and attention to detail point out many features of historical photographs that would otherwise have escaped our notice. It's very interesting to really think about and comprehend what day to day life was like for the early settlers in Minnesota. This book offers a glimpse into some of the odd immigrant customs carried over from the old country, for example, some farm families, after purchasing a farm would then change their surname to the name of the previous owner or the founder of the farm. Also, I was amazed to realize that many people did not own horses and since there were no other people living in this area and therefore no public transportation, if you wanted to get somewhere you had to walk and it might take a month to walk there!

Anyone who enjoys well written non fiction will enjoy Muller's work. Buy this book, you'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: Being a Norwegian just got better.
Review: My brother sent me a genelogy of our family. My grandparents lived in Hallingdal and were from the Ole Olsen clan until they arrived in Chicago. They were given the name of Halling because there were already too many Olsens. The genelogy my brother wrote was interesting but boring. Chad Muller made information come alive and exciting. Can't wait for his next book.

Rating:
Summary: Being a Norwegian just got better.
Review: My brother sent me a genelogy of our family. My grandparents lived in Hallingdal and were from the Ole Olsen clan until they arrived in Chicago. They were given the name of Halling because there were already too many Olsens. The genelogy my brother wrote was interesting but boring. Chad Muller made information come alive and exciting. Can't wait for his next book.