The Good Country

A History of the American Midwest, 1800–1900

By: Jon K. Lauck

Narrated by: Douglas R. Pratt

Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

At the center of American history is a hole—a gap where some scholars’ indifference or disdain has too long stood in for the true story of the American Midwest. A first-ever chronicle of the Midwest’s formative century, The Good Country restores this American heartland to its central place in the nation’s history.

Jon K. Lauck, the premier historian of the region, puts midwestern “squares” center stage—an unorthodox approach that leads to surprising conclusions. The American Midwest, in Lauck’s cogent account, was the most democratically advanced place in the world during the nineteenth century. The Good Country describes a rich civic culture that prized education, literature, libraries, and the arts; developed a stable social order grounded in Victorian norms, republican virtue, and Christian teachings; and generally put democratic ideals into practice to a greater extent than any nation to date.

The “good country” was, of course, not the “perfect country,” and Lauck devotes a chapter to the question of race in the Midwest, finding early examples of overt racism but also discovering a steady march toward racial progress. He also finds many instances of modest reforms enacted through the democratic process and designed to address particular social problems, as well as significant advances for women.

The book is published by University of Oklahoma Press. The audiobook is published by University Press Audiobooks.

“In this detailed examination...Lauck presents an impassioned defense of the American Midwest ...” (Omaha World Herald)

“Jon K. Lauck...restores the middle of the nation to its proper place in the middle of the national story.” (George F. Will)

“I know of no historian who has done such a superb job chronicling and framing the history of the American Midwest than Jon Lauck.” (Gregory L. Schneider, author of Rock Island Requiem)

©2022 University of Oklahoma Press (P)2023 Redwood Audiobooks

A thorough and thoughtful treatment of the traditi

This book gave a good overview of the traditional Midwest in the time period mentioned. It also gave an in-depth treatment of several points of the culture that would likely be of interest to anyone with a general overview of American history. The book was very well organized and treated the subject with the maturity and rigor of an academic work, organized into chapters that covered some of the major historical themes of American history. Although I thought as a casual listen, which for me this was, it did go a bit long in some of the themes so that they became a bit reparative, and I was tempted to skip through some of the chapters.... especially since the overview of said chapters was offered in the introduction of the book. Though I must admit I cannot judge the content of the book since other than an overall treatment of the region as part of an American history education I am no expert. I have the impression that the content was accurate and fair to the region it is about. Though probably a bit too in depth for some casual readers and too unspecific for serious historical students.

The narration was excellent and the deep somewhat rough voice of the narration suited the subject matter. I could picture him as a story teller under a shade tree in a Midwest town. Gathered with a bunch of listeners to the subject matter.

Fascinating and Refreshing

This book tells the story of the Midwest without the cynicism that is so chic among some historians. It’s honest and inspiring.

Midwest history

This was a very beautiful history of the Midwest culture. I absolutely loved this book!! And recommend it to anyone that wants to know more about the Midwest!