This Land

August 1, 2018

Barry (The Boys in the Bunkhouse) was assigned to cover the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, witnessing a world that suggested he travel the country to tell the larger American story. These 70-plus diverse and relatable bite-sized pieces, written between 2007 and 2016, serve as a momentary window into the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Americans. A small town in West Virginia that continues its reliance on coal despite tragic conditions evokes feelings of change, the tragedy of a Tennessee father executed by electric chair owing to an unthinkable crime conjures emotions of despair, a school in the Kansas plains gathering to watch the 2009 inauguration of a president who promoted hope provides optimism to teachers and students, as does an Italian American family in New York supporting their son as he entertains by dressing and singing as Judy Garland. A touching story of a couple who met in a workforce development program for people with disabilities is a welcome reminder that love is universal. VERDICT These stories offer a candid glimpse of raw emotion that will resonate with audiences long after they've been read.--David Miller, Farmville P.L., NC

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