Lempi Publishing
Formats: eBook, Hardcover
238 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
In the early 1890s, a group of brothers discovered iron ore in the dense pine woods of northern Minnesota. Mesabi Pioneers tells the story of the immigrants who dug that ore out of the ground, who carved towns from trees, and who built new lives for themselves and their families.
Arthur Maki, a Finnish immigrant known for his carpentry skills, has been hired by the persuasive and poetic Leonidas “Lon” Merritt to join a crew of explorers in the forest. From this remote and formidable locale, Arthur must construct a camp and foster a community into which he can bring his wife and son.
The camp, which the Merritts call Mountain Iron, sits on what Lon believes to be a huge lode of iron ore. However, the rest of the world thinks the Merritts are crazy. While Arthur builds a camp with a Chippewa Indian everyone calls Charlie and a French-Chippewa fur trader named Richardson, the other members of the team explore the surrounding woods for more caches of iron. When a second lode is discovered at Biwabik, Arthur and the rest of the crew know the finding is real. And the iron mining world knows it, too.
As the mine gets deeper and mining operations expand, the camp crowds with a diversity of ethnic and cultural groups. Tragedy strikes in ways large and small. And it is from the ashes of destruction that Arthur finds the community he has been seeking.
My Thoughts on Mesabi Pioneers by Russell Hill & Jeff Smith
I was born an raised in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/ St. Paul). I knew that there were mining operations in our state but didn’t know where or even what they were mining for. So when I was offered a ebook of ‘Mesabi Pioneers’ for review, I couldn’t turn it down. I love to learn about history that I know nothing about, especially in a state where I was born and raised.
The book was slow to start for me. There was quite a long set up and introduction to characters but after that, I found it quite fascinating. There is certainly a lot of adventure included and some very interesting mining history. The men who left home to start up a mine and mining town were thought of as crazy dreamers. However, they wouldn’t let anything get in their way. This is a story of how dreams can come true if you put forth the effort.
4/5
I received the ebook for my honest review.
Praise for Mesabi Pioneers by Russell Hill & Jeff Smith
“…a refreshingly enjoyable read… Hill and Smith kindle complicated emotions, important questions and a driving curiosity about Northern Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range…The novel give(s) us a remarkable point of view, a vision of the Iron Range before it was anything like our modern understanding of the place. The size of the forest, the difficulty of travel, the majesty of the Missabe hills before they were opened up and moved like chess pieces: we see all of this in fresh prose.” -Aaron Brown, Hibbing Daily Tribune and minnesotabrown.com
“Hill and Smith pepper their story with some very good character development, plenty of sarcastic humor, and a good deal of research into a period never before explored in historical fiction. In their handling, the enterprising and occasionally cutthroat, bygone world of iron mining comes vividly alive. A strong debut installment.” -Charlotte Kirsch, Historical Novel Society
“A wonderful book. I’d recommend it to anyone.” -Scott Hall, KAXE, Northern Community Radio
“In Mesabi Pioneers, Jeffrey Smith has skillfully crafted a wonderful story that respects the historical facts while bringing the experience of these pioneers to life. This book is a steeped in the social history and physical geography of this region in Minnesota that played such a significant role in the economic rise of the United States. In a few words, this is good creative writing with an enjoyable style.” -James Dilisio, author Maryland Geography
“What a fascinating story, with finely drawn characters and compelling subject matter. The authors take us inside the hearts and souls of newly arrived immigrant pioneers, full of hope and promise, who accomplished extraordinary feats under dire circumstances; and the Native Americans who watched their homeland undergo such dramatic and irrevocable change. I highly recommend it.” -Kathryn Leigh Scott, actress and author, Down and Out in Beverly Heels
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Mesabi Project Website
About Russell Hill & Jeff Smith
Dr. Russell Hill was born and raised on Minnesota’s Iron Range. During World War II he served in Naval Intelligence, receiving several prestigious medals for his service. After the War he received his doctorate from the University of Minnesota and began a long and successful teaching career. Hill passed away peacefully in 2011, surrounded by his beloved family. He was 85-years-old.
Jeffrey Smith began his love of letters at fourteen on a Smith-Corona electric typewriter borrowed from his father. He is a full-time writer, homemaker and stay-at-home parent. He is also an accomplished distance runner, completing 16 marathons, seven 24-hour relay races, and multiple ultra-runs, including several 100-mile races.
For more information visit mesabiproject.com. You can also follow Mesabi Pioneers on Facebook and Twitter.
Mesabi Pioneers Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, May 4
Blog Tour Kick Off at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, May 5
Guest Post at The Maiden’s Court
Monday, May 11
Review at Unshelfish
Wednesday, May 13
Review at Flashlight Commentary
Guest Post at I Heart Reading
Thursday, May 14
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Monday, May 18
Review at Broken Teepee
Review at Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Wednesday, May 20
Review at Beth’s Book Nook Blog
Monday, May 25
Review at Griperang’s Bookmarks
Tuesday, May 26
Review at Book Nerd
Guest Post at A Literary Vacation
Thursday, May 28
Review at Just One More Chapter
Review at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More
Friday, May 29
Review at A Novel Kind of Bliss
