Few Americans now living can recall the impact and import of the "view from Kansas" from the mid 1800's up to the Great Depression. Modern Americans know little of the Sunflower State other than that the residents there are reasonably quiet and keep pretty much to themselves. It might be hard to imagine that at one time to say one was from Kansas would be the equivalent of saying "I'm a Texan," nowadays.

Kansan's were (and are) noted for their hard work, common sense pioneer spirit and an inate sense of fair play. Bader's book takes us step by step through the state's stormy start, as "Bleeding Kansas," and its major role in the War Between the States, through its phase as a policy maker and trend-setter up to modern times when Kansas is perhaps best known as the home state of former U. S. Senator, Bob Dole.

Surprisingly engaging and ultimately very "readable," this book is a must-read for anyone with a bent for Americana and U. S. history.