Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 The Fragrance of Hay February 2, 2006
"The Haymakers" is beautifully written. Hoffbeck begins with the story of his own family and engages the emotions of his readers from the start. The experiences of the five families are intricately woven together and create an accurate picture of haymaking in Minnesota. "The Haymakers" explores the technical aspects of making hay and also the sweat and tears that went into the process. It provides a look into the lives of several haymaking families in different regions and different time periods. The stories of the five families are gripping and Hoffbeck's personal story is tragic. "The Haymakers" is captivating and tells a historical story well worth reading.
Great Book, January 27, 2006
I have read this book twice. The first time was for Dr. Hoffbecks American History class and the 2nd time was for my American Studies class on the Midwest. Dr. Hoffbeck is a wonderful professor and the way he writes is as if you are in the classroom with him. I've done the very laberous job of making hay. When I read this book only someone who has done it like Dr. Hoffbeck while growing up can capture what it is like to have done this work. If anyone out there is enrolled at MSU Moorhead I urge you to take a history class with Dr, Hoffbeck.
A Little Known Gem of a Book July 16, 2005
47 out of 47 found this review helpful
Dr. Steven Hoffbeck's fast-moving book is about haying, or the process of putting up of hay, to feed farm animals through the long winter months. This is an unusual topic and if the book were only about haying techniques, it would have little interest except to farming historians, but the book is more than haying, much more. "The Haymakers" is about the struggles and triumphs of real people dealing with the joys and many heartrendering difficulties of farm life. Dr. Hoffbeck takes the reader through 100 years of haymaking by describing and telling us the personal chronicles of 5 farm families.
Haymaking methods are described, from the simple yet laborious scythe-harvest method through the making of large round and small square bales by machine. I found the evolution of haymaking facinating in itself, and it gave me an appreciaton of what farm familes have to go through to "get in the hay". For without hay, there is no winter feed for the many farm animals; and without farm animals, there is no farm.
As any farmer will tell you, close calls and accidents are unfortunately all too frequent on the farm. Dr. Hoffbeck shares his experiences of losing his own father, and then tragically his brother, all due to accidents on the home farm. I was touched by the way Dr. Hoffbeck writes about these tremendous losses, and one can feel his pain, anguish, and loss through his words.
Dr. Hoffbeck also clearly explains the farm crisis American farmers face today, that of debt, the trend to larger and larger farms, and the slow but steady passing of the small American homestead farm. Not having been raised, or even associated with the travails of farming life, I found his explanation quite enlightening. When he describes the crushing debt load that farmers take on to survive and modernize their farms, I can almost feel the weight of that debt on my shoulders as well. It is easy to understand the economic problems farmers face after reading this book.
If you are looking for fast adventure, high suspense, or international intrigue, this is not the book for you. However, if you are looking for a book that delves into the farming lives of our pioneers, our grandfathers and grandmothers, and our uncles and aunts, then this book will touch your mind and your heart. It will give you an everlasting appreciation of the hard toil that our independent and strong-willed ancestors faced on a daily basis. I highly recommend it.
The Haymakers: A Chronicle of Five Farm Families July 22, 2002
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful and well written book that will capitivate and hold your attention to the very last page. Readers of all generations would enjoy this book. The book is about haymaking, but also so much more. The illustrations and pictures help you to envision life on the farm. I will anxiously await his next book.
A lyrical testament February 15, 2001
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
The previous readers already praised this book so beautifully in their reviews that I don't know if I can improve on what has already been said, other than to say that I found this to be a very moving and lyrical testament to a vanishing way of life--the family farm. I loved Hoffbeck's detailed descriptions of the five farm families, ranging from early settlers to his own experience, and I thought he very masterfully combined factual details with personal revelations and insight. Extremely illuminating.
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