MWSA Book Review

John Deere

Authors:  Rod Beemer with Tracy Nelson Maurer

Publisher:  Voyageur Press – MPI Publishing

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A Real Piece of Farm History For Young Readers

As a city boy myself, I knew nothing about old John Deere tractors and equipment. Having read the book, “John Deere,” by Rod Beemer and Tracy Nelson Maurer, to my grandson, I came away with a little more appreciation for the old machine. In this book they take us on an evolutionary ride from the beginnings of this wonderful workhorse to its present designs.

I learned more about machine than I ever knew. This book would be a wonderful book for young farm children or for people who live in the city and have no understanding at all. The book will educate you and give you a history lesson of how this machine helped fuel the farming revolution in this country and the world.

Classic photos of these grand machines are throughout the book. My grandson enjoyed looking at the photos while I found that the text provided a history lesson of sorts. This book would appeal to collectors and history buffs who focus on farming. It has very valuable information on the different models and makes.

The book would make a great gift to anyone you know who has or does live and work on a farm. It would also make a fine book for small children (If their grandparents read to them) as they look at the photos; however it is junior high and high school boys who will be the most interested in this book’s subject matter.

The book is family friendly and well written. The text is easy to read and there is a glossary in the back of the book. It merits putting this book on your gift list for those special young men in your life.