Letters from an American Farmer

"Letters from an American Farmer" by J. Hector St. John de Crèvecoeur is a set of writings from the late 1700s that shows what it was like to live in the American colonies. Told through letters, this book shares a farmer's experiences and feelings in the time before the American Revolution; it reveals his close observations of nature, local traditions, and the everyday life of farming, making it an important record of its time. The book starts by setting the scene, showing the author's thoughts as he compares life in America to life in Europe. Speaking as a farmer, he shows his wonder at the beauty and possibilities in America and looks at the difficulties of living in the countryside. The letters include his own story, talking about his childhood, marriage, happiness in working the land, and his beliefs about freedom and community. The combination of personal stories and big ideas is made for anyone interested in history, nature, and the big questions of who we are in early America.