A Son of the Middle Border

"A Son of the Middle Border" by Hamlin Garland is an autobiography that shares the story of a Midwestern family making their way during America's growth between the 1840s and early 1900s. It's mostly about the writer's life, talking about his family, childhood, and their brave, go-getting attitude as pioneers while unfolding the history and challenges faced by his family, the Garlands and the McClintocks. The book starts with the narrator remembering his early years right after the Civil War, describing his father's return from war after two years and the feelings when the family got back together. The story reveals both the thrill and worry of growing up on a Wisconsin farm, amongst the beautiful, untamed wilderness. By mixing his own stories with those of his family, the author shows how the war changed families, with the narrator thinking about the simple but meaningful life in the countryside during a time of great change in America, letting the reader feel the happiness, fear, and discovery that shaped his childhood.