The flatness and other landscapes

the long version

"Seen from the air, the seemingly endless spaces that form America's Midwest appear in rectangular variations of brown, green, and ochre, with what Michael Martone calls "the tended look of a train set." In these essays, the flatness of the region becomes the author's canvas for a richly textured, multidimensional exploration of midwestern culture and history. Martone's memorable accounts of his experiences lead us on a path toward discovery of the stories that build our own sense of place and color our understanding of the world."--BOOK JACKET.