This nation is great because of two things: First, we have a system of government that protects and empowers people so that they can live and flourish as they choose as free individuals. Second, we have a nation populated with people who embrace these rights and the responsibilities that come with great freedom. Every citizen, every family, is part of a great human experiment known as the United States of America.

One such family lived in and around Dexter Iowa, the heartland of the country. They did not become wealthy, none of them achieved any measure of fame, none held any high office, but one of them wrote a book.

Joy Neal Kidney became the keeper of old family letters, stories, and memories. Using these as a foundation, she did exhaustive research into the lives of her forebears, focusing on her grandmother Leora; her life, and trials, and triumphs. Five of her sons volunteered for military service; three never came home again, having given up their lives in service to this country.

Over the past ten years or so, Joy followed up her first book “Leora’s Letters”, with five more books expanding the story and showing us life in the heartland: hard work, sacrifice, the joy of small pleasures, and faith. Despite her own health challenges, she has been diligent in her research and passionate about writing down the stories for the next generation and beyond.

I’ve never met Joy face to face, but over the years we have come to know each other like long lost cousins. About the same age, we got married (and stayed that way) about the same time. We both owned Volkswagen “bugs” of the same vintage. And although I’m New York born and raised, my wife is from Iowa, and the stories, people, and places in Joy’s books resonate with me.

So these six books occupy a special place on my bookshelf. If you want to know why America was, is, and hopefully always will be great, read these stories.

Click here to find the books. Enjoy!