Iowa Prairie Field Guide

A field guide to Iowa: rolling fields and great writers, quilters and farmers, historic architecture and up-and-coming cities.

Inside Wildsam Iowa Prairie, you’ll find the deep story of the Hawkeye State; insider tips from America’s foremost school for writers; a roadtrip to legendary baseball diamonds, epic country fairs and ancient monuments; guides to small towns and surprising cities; interviews with award-winning novelists, community leaders, shopkeepers, farmers and crafters; delightful miscellany from the archives; selective recommendations for finds across the state and trusted travel essentials.

“The landscape rolls to its own surfy rhythm. Water towers mark towns long before the line of buildings crests the horizon. In those towns–who knows? Maybe a small but beautiful art museum. A feisty little newspaper that fights the good fight. A throwback bar with a statewide cult following. The best bagel in a long time. Iowa will surprise you.”