This is the best book that I have ever read that describes the 1800's. Henry Conklin talks about his boyhood, his marriage and his fight in the Civil War. I first picked this book up since Henry Conklin is my great great grandfather. It is a terrific book! If you are realted to him in anyway is is a good choice. "Through Poverty's Vale" adds color to ancestors, that you have only heard about. If your not realted then it shows you how they lived in the 1800's and how things worked. Henry wries about why he decided to fight in the Civil War. I would recommend this book to anyone. Even if you don't like hisotry this book is far from being boring.