Prairie

Waldo, author of the bestselling Sacajawea, here uses the life and history of Charles B. Irwin as the basis for her mammoth second novel. A prominent figure in the West at the turn of the century, Irwin crossed paths with the likes of Tom Horn, Tom Mix and Theodore Roosevelt. He was a successful and influential farmer, rancher, producer of a Wild West show and superintendent of the Union Pacific Railroad. He was also an unpretentious, happily married man with no vices worth mentioning. Thus his story is somewhat on the boring side, and it is no surprise that he lingers in obscurity. Presented here in a series of short episodes, his life loses continuity and interest. 400,000 first printing; major ad/promo; author tour. (November)