Founded in 1868; Altoona was once just a small town on the prairie�at least until the planes; trains; and automobiles came. Trains started crossing this town as planes made their way to the Altoona Airport; and the construction of Interstate 80 on Altoona�s north edge brought many tourists. The growing community has become known across the state as the �Entertainment Capital of Iowa.� Altoona is home to Adventureland Park; Iowa�s largest amusement park; as well as Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino; and it hosted the state�s first municipal airport; Hanna Air Field. Various innovative individuals called this community home; such as Robert Townsend with his single-pass color printer and George Kurtzweil and his idea to grow the first acre of hybrid seed corn. Altoona�s history espouses a unique combination of small-town Iowa traditions and progressive thinkers that make it unforgettable.
#2885202 in eBooks 2014-05-09 2014-05-09File Name: B00K8234Z8
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful Writing Concerning NatureBy UrennaAfter the Divorce is a tale in 1920s Sardinia of love; envy; covetousness; murder; deceit; and anger. In actuality; it is drama dealing with events in the lives of Costantino Ledda; his wife Giovanna; his rival Brontu Dejas and the mothers-in-law; Bachisia Era and Martina Dejas.Wrongfully accused of murdering his uncle; Basile; Costantino received a sentence of twenty-seven years in prison. Giovanna and Bachisia lost their home after paying off the lawyer. The area is not impoverished; but Giovanna and Bachisia did not own land; nor have cattle or sheep; like their neighbors; the Dejas. There was little work; so they; along with Martino; Giovannarsquo;s son; experienced almost starvation in the small village.Giovanna and Costantinorsquo;s toddler died during his incarceration. In the meantime; an uncompromising; bossy; Bachisia badgered Giovanna to marry Brontu; who loved her; whom she had spurned for Costantino. Realizing she was still young; her husbandrsquo;s lengthy confinement; the death of their son; and poverty-stricken; Giovanna conceded.Costantino collapsed when he discovered his wifersquo;s decision to marry Brontu. Neighbors and friends were outraged. They considered it a sacrilege to divorce and marry another man while her husband alive. They named Giovanna lsquo;the woman with two husbands.rsquo;Giovanna and her mother believed she made the right decision. Later; Giovanna had regrets. She married Brontu for his wealth; but became he and his motherrsquo;s slave.Authorities freed Costantino when the real culprit confessed on his deathbed. Costantino left jail with ambivalent feelings for Giovanna. He felt betrayed. Yet he returned to the village; said he planned to leave; but could not. This became unpleasant and destructive for everyone.Notwithstanding Costantino and Giovanna are the chief characters; but the story involved stronger characters in Bachisia and Martina; too strong-willed mothers-in-law. They were imperious.I liked it; but thought the novel melodramatic and gave it three stars. You will be enlivened with Grazia DeLeddarsquo;s nature writing on Sardinia throughout the book. One of my favorites is: ldquo;The sunset light was still brilliant while water shone here and there between oleanders and rushes; reflecting the red-gold glare of the sky. The lacy umbrellas of elder and the bright coral buds of the oleanders stood out against the light sky like enamel-work set in silver.rdquo; Ms. DeLedda received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1926.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Brilliant Recreation Of The Sardinian Peasants WorldBy propertiusUniversal themes concerning love; fate; faith ensconced in the stifling word of a Sardinian village. Grazia Deledda brings dignity and compassion to the characters who have all the emotional impact of Italian Neo-realism. Small wonder that her work transcends time and location and she was awarded The Nobel Prize.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Romantic storyBy SherylThe story illustrates life in Sardinia a century ago. For that; it is valuable. The plot is a morality tale of a young couples struggles. It is ok as a historical oddity.
