Driftless Anthology (Coming of Age in Western Wisconsin)

A heartfelt journey through the people, places, and memories that define home.

What makes a place become part of who we are?

In Driftless Anthology: Coming of Age in Western Wisconsin, anthropologist and educator Laurence Kruckman returns to the hills, valleys, and small-town communities of Wisconsin's Driftless Region to explore the people and experiences that shaped his life. Through a rich collection of personal essays, portraits, reflections, and stories, Kruckman introduces readers to war heroes, teachers, soda jerks, coaches, conservationists, family members, local legends, and lifelong friends whose influence extended far beyond their titles.

From childhood adventures in Mount Horeb to encounters with remarkable characters, from memories of post-war Wisconsin to reflections on identity, belonging, and the meaning of home, these stories capture the spirit of a place unlike any other. Written with warmth, humor, curiosity, and gratitude, Driftless Anthology celebrates the communities that raise us, the landscapes that stay with us, and the people whose lives quietly shape our own.

For anyone who has ever left home, returned home, or carried a place in their heart long after leaving, this book is a moving reminder that our stories are inseparable from the people and places that made us.