Congratulations on getting published! Sounds like an interesting book for sure!

I agree! Wonderful Larry!

It is a wonderful book, one I will read more than once. Fortunately I got to visit with Larry and his wife, Wilma, in their home in the Amanas and was taken to every nook, cranny, museum, gallery, and all amazing places mentioned in the book. Tell you the truth, I wanted to stay. There is nothing like seeing and experiencing things first hand and those memories are stored in my box of treasures.

The book covers most everything I was shown, with pictures and words that Larry uses well to make you feel you are right there. It is well worth reading and The Amanas is a place well worth visiting. You'll feel right at home.

Get the book! It's a great read.
Thanks Dave for the review.

"Thanks Dave for the review."

(forgot to mention that in my earlier post. )

Will be ordering a copy , I have enjoyed Larry,s many articles , both here and on cubits.
...so how might one go about getting a signed copy?

Normally most of my book purchases are from Bargain Bins or used book stores. This is one book which I will gladly purchase brand new! My two favorite subjects - history and gardening - with a side order of recipes. Thank you @LarryR (and Mrs. Larry R) and thanks @dave for the great review.

I have always enjoyed history and combine that with gardening techniques, this should make an interesting read. Congrats Larry for being published and thanks Dave for the book review. Winter time is always a good time to curl up with a good book.

Thanks so much for that nice review (and setting up a drawing), Dave. And thanks to all of you who have responded with such kind and enthusiastic comments.

Everything in the book is near and dear to my heart, and I'm pleased (and relieved) to finally get it all down in one book. One way to get an autographed copy would be to order one online and have it sent to me. Once I have your address, I'll autograph the book and send it to you postage paid. The $15 sale price at my publisher's website (link in Dave's review) is valid through February. You can also order from Amazon for $15.15. I'm assuming that that price will be Amazon's regular price, so it would only cost 15 cents more to order a book after the publisher's sale expires.

I was flabbergasted to learn that the Chicago Botanic Garden is featuring my book on its website, along with a nice review (http://www.chicagobotanic.org/...). In addition, I discovered that a regular reviewer at Amazon has given the book a very positive, five-star review (http://www.amazon.com/Gardenin...). I have no clue who "Beth in Iowa," the reviewer, is.

I'm absolutely amazed at this positive turn, since the book's launch was a bust. The entire printing had to be scrapped because the first 16 pages of color photos was missing. My readings at Barnes and Noble and other local bookstores had to be rescheduled for a time when the second printing was ready.

Happy reading to those of you who plan to purchase the book. If you have questions or comments after you've read it, you're welcome to post them here.
(Edited to correct a typo)

I too appreciate history. Sounds interesting.
There's an Amish settlement where I used to inspect soybean and corn fields; all the interaction I had w/ the local population was always cordial.
Some rural areas there must host some 'progressive' adherents as they drove 16 row planters over some large acreage; at the same time, one had to be cautious of horse drawn carriages.

Congrats on the book, Larry!

How neat!!! I can't wait to read the book now.

Thank you Dave for this wonderful review and huge congratulations Larry.

I also enjoyed the podcast from your local radio station as well Larry

So pleased to learn about this. I know you have written a fascinating read. History is so much better when written by an actual "insider" who knows the intimate details of his or her subject because they have lived it. I'm looking forward to reading your book.

It has got to be very rewarding and exciting to have a book published. And when it is about the rich heritage of the area one lives in is even more so. Congrats, Larry!

That's fantastic Larry ~ and glad to hear that you're off and running. I love history, and when combined with gardening... how can you beat that?! Congrats!

Can't wait to read the book, and than you, @dave for reviewing so we know about it! Congratulaions, @LarryR!

I had never heard of the Amana colonies before. Now I will have to do some research. And plan a trip out that way. Very interesting! Thanks for the review and thanks for writing the book!

Thanks to you all for your kind words.

We have an Amish settlement in the area as well, J. There is much confusion among tourists, since Amana and Amish are such similar names. The only thing the two settlements have in common is that they were both spawned by the Pietistic Movement in Europe during the late 1600s and on into the mid 1700s. There has been very little contact between the Amana folks and the Amish.

I am vey familiar with the Amish communities as we lived near Lancaster, PA and were also Amish in DE, but i had never heard of the Amana either. I think a trip would be informative and fun!

For those interested, here are some links to information about the Amana Society:

http://amanacolonies.com/pages...
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/a...

There is some misinformation about the Amana Society out there as well. I think the most hilarious statement I've come across is "All land is owned by the government of Israel." (http://www.uwec.edu/geography/...). Just like any other area in the U.S., we own our own homes and the lots they sit on. The farmland and timber in the area is owned by Amana Society, Inc. If you own shares of stock, you are free to roam the land, hunt, fish, gather wild berries, whatever. The entire 27,000 acres is a game preserve. As a consequence, we had an overpopulation of deer for many years. That problem was solved by, believe it or not, the appearance of mountain lions way out here in Iowa. We also have coyotes and the more usual complement of Midwestern wildlife. Perhaps the strangest animal to appear is the armadillo. As the climate continues to warm, armadillos are moving north out of Texas and Arkansas and have found a safe haven here in the Amanas.