RalphMoody,justturnedtwenty,hadonlyadimeinhispocketwhenhewasputoffafreightinwesternNebraska.ItwastheFourthofJulyin1919.Threemonthslaterheownedeightteamsofhorsesandrigstogowiththem.Everyonewhoworkedwithhimsharedintheprosperity--thewidowwhosewheatcropwassavedandthegroupofmisfitswhoformedafirst-rateharvestingcrew.ButsometimesfickleMotherNatureandfrailhumannaturemadesurethatnothingwaseasy.Thetensionbetweenopposingforcesneverletsupinthisbook.Withoutpreaching,TheDryDividewarmlyillustratestheold-timevirtuesofhardworkingenuity,andrespectforothers.TheRalphMoodywhowasayoungsterinLittleBritchesandwhogrewupwithoutafatherandwithearlyresponsibilitiesinManoftheFamily,TheFieldsofHome,TheHomeRanch,MaryEmma&Company,andShakingtheNickelBush(allBisonBooks)hasbecomeamantoreckonwithinTheDryDivide.
