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Dakota Circle, Excursions on the True Plains by Dr. Tom Isern is a collection of stories depicting the many aspects of what it is like to live and work on the plains, particularly North Dakota. Dr. Isern begins by explaining to the reader what the title “Dakota Circle,” really means. To him it is partially the bond we North Dakotans share with each other and partially the way we sit at gatherings…in a circle of course, so that all can be included. He then goes on to explain some of the unique aspects of the plains such as historic sites, unique things to see throughout the plains and of course the many ways people in the region pass the time and make a living. The point I found Dr. Isern making over and over again is that if something sounds odd then more than likely it originated on the plains. This would include a petrified wood garden, an enchanted highway made of huge iron figures and hunting skunks for a living…the list goes on and on. The truth is that there is just no other place quite as unique as North Dakota and its neighboring states called the plains.

I found this book to be a very humorous depiction of the plains. For someone like Dr. Isern who transplanting to North Dakota I must say he has done a pretty good job at capturing the real “Dakota.” Some of the fancy language made the book a bit hard to keep up with but the majority was really good. My favorite part was the final few pages filled with “You might be a North Dakotan,” comments. After answering yes to 95% of them I think I just might be a North Dakotan.