About the author: Jane Torness Rasmussen, the great-granddaughter of Lars Stavig, introduces readers to the Stavig family letters. John S. Rasmussen, president of the Heritage Museums of Roberts County, provides annotations that set the brothers' words into greater context. Edvard Hoem, a Norwegian novelist and poet, explores life and culture in Norway at the time Lars Stavig emigrated. Betty A. Bergland, a professor of history at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, examines the history of Norwegian immigrants in the United States.

Image description: The cover illustration depicts a sepia-toned family portrait. The title is printed at the top of the cover, the subtitle is printed in the center of the cover, and the authors' names are printed in the right bottom corner.