Giants in the Earth by Ole Edvart Rølvaag

O. E. Rølvaag’s Giants in the Earth is an epic story of resilience. It follows Norwegian immigrants Per Hansa and Beret as they pursue dreams of homesteading on the untamed Dakota prairie, a land of stark beauty, endless seas of grass, and unforgiving winters, requiring relentless struggle to sustain a living from the earth. As they build their life together, their love is tested by isolation, hardship, and yearning for connection. Will their spirits—like the giants of old—be strong enough to unleash the land’s potential without destroying their unique Norwegian way of life and build a legacy for future generations? Giants in the Earth explores themes of love, loss, faith, cultural identity, and the enduring human spirit in the face of overwhelming odds. Rediscover this overlooked classic of American literature.

This reprinting of Giants in the Earth, featuring an updated introduction and revised annotations by Allan C. Carlson, offers the modern reader thoughtful insights into Rølvaag’s beliefs and hopes about the immigrant experience in America—Norwegian or otherwise.