Prairie Gothic is full of Texas lore. Erickson tells the story of people in 
the context of a specific place. This place, instrumental in shaping 
their lives, is the flatland prairie of northwestern Texas that has gone 
by various names (High Plains, South Plains, Staked Plains, and 
Llano Estacado), as well as the rugged country on its eastern 
boundary, often referred to as the "caprock canyonlands."

    One branch of Erickson's family arrived in Texas in 1858, settling in 
Parker County, west of Weatherford. Another branch, sturdy Quaker 
farmers from Ohio, helped establish the first Anglo settlement on the 
Llano Estacado in 1881, near present-day Lubbock.

    Erickson's family interacts with significant historical figures, such as 
Cynthia Ann Parker, and includes members of the Estacado Quaker 
colony. There is the story of Martha Sherman, who died at the hands 
of the Comanche, and the tale of the notorious outlaw Tom Ross. 
Prairie Gothic also includes Erickson's encounters with famous Texas 
writers, such as John Graves and J. Evetts Haley.

    Burrowing deep into his West Texas roots, Erickson discovered 
people of substance and strong character, made that way in part by 
the challenges they faced in a harsh environment. He has created a 
fascinating blend of family and regional history. Excerpts from 
journals, letters, and other original sources enrich the narrative.

_________________________________________________________

JOHN R. ERICKSON, a fifth generation Texan, was born and raised in 
the Texas Panhandle. In 1982 Erickson launched the Hank the Cowdog 
series, now published by Penguin Putnam.  He and his wife run their 
own ranch and commercial beef cattle operation. A member of the 
Texas Institute of Letters, Erickson has been profiled in Southern 
Living, American Cowboy Magazine, and on CBS's Evening News with 
Dan Rather.


Number Three: Frances B. Vick Series


What people are saying about this book

"Erickson has given us a vivid and well-rounded picture of several 
generations in a pioneer family. He has a smooth writing style, offers sharp 
and clean images, and his prose often has a poetic quality."—Elmer Kelton, 
author of over forty books, including The Good Old Boys and The Day the 
Cowboys Quit