The Life of a Custom Harvesting Crew
To South Dakota and Back: The Story of the Great North American Harvest
by Paul David Savage
Book Review
No matter how well we do in our chosen career, there is always a phase when we feel tired and drained. It’s the time when our body says, “Enough, I need to take a break!” This is the time when we need to take a breather. Otherwise, we continue to become unproductive.
That’s exactly what the author of “To South Dakota and Back: The Story of the Great North American Harvest” experiences. Paul David Savage feels tired and wanting after a decade-long job as a speech writer. So, he takes an indefinite leave from his high-paying and luxurious job in New Zealand. He decides to follow his other dream: that of driving tractors and combine harvesters. After contemplating the matter, Savage then gets a one-way ticket from his home country to the Midwest of the United States.
Journey to South Dakota
Paul joins the Minnesota-based Case International (Case IH) custom harvesting company. And from this point, the author begins to chronicle his new life and career journey in the custom harvesting world. Savage describes his work environment, introduces his co-workers, and talks about the farm equipment his team uses. He also takes note of the differences and resemblance between New Zealand and American life.
Likewise, the author describes his experiences in each of the farms he works in, including the terrain of the fields and the challenges his team encounter along the way. Even the description of the landscape, the weather condition, and their daily meals are part of his narratives.
Paul is keen in giving a detailed account of his experiences that the reader may feel traveling right with him. Even if you’re not familiar with farming activities, you’ll get to learn how and when the harvest is done. In To South Dakota and Back, the author gives us a glimpse on the challenges and hard work of custom harvesters. They make sure that the wheat and corn are harvested at the right time and at the right moisture.
What I like most in To South Dakota and Back is its use of idioms in the conversations. Personally, I hear (read) those words for the first time. It’s a learning experience for me. I also find the part where Savage and a teammate cross a train track funny, yet a hair-raising act.
I also like the part where Paul and his colleagues visit Mount Rushmore. Although I wish he gives more details to this trip. It’s an interesting historical place. But then I know it would be a side-track to his story.
About the Author and To South Dakota Rating
Paul David Savage is, no doubt, a very good story-teller. His writing style is simple and direct to the point. Yet, his vivid description of the places allows the reader to travel with him. By putting a heading and time on each phase of his journey, he tells readers the exact location where the activity occurs.
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I notice only a handful yet negligible typographical errors. Overall, I give To South Dakota and Back a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. And, I recommend it to everyone interested in farm machinery and custom harvesting. If you’re planning to join a custom harvesting team for the first time, this book will give you tips on many aspects of the trade. One important part that Paul imparts in this book is teamwork and camaraderie.
Personally, I look forward to reading more of author’s works.
