Nebraska has been catapulted into the national spotlight as news outlets profile the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, Tim Walz, who was born and raised in West Point, Nebraska.

A state in a geographical and cultural region of blurred lines; home of the Cornhusker, Runzas, Volleyball Day, and the largest university press between Chicago and California; these markers, though familiar, don’t paint the full picture. So, we’ve assembled a reading list to truly take you through Nebraska—its history, its arts, its geography, and more.

Regional Geography

“When I first encountered the Sandhills after moving to Nebraska the better part of a decade ago . . . It felt like the center of the world, and I wished I would have realized the magic of this region sooner.”

–Michael J. Boehm, Foreword author, Nebraska Sandhills

Field Guide to a Hybrid Landscape (Bison Books, 2023) by Dana Fritz.

The Nebraska Sandhills (Nebraska, 2024) edited by Monica M. Norby, Judy Diamond, Aaron Sutherlen, Sherilyn C. Fritz, Kim Hachiya, Doug Norby, and Michael Forsberg.

Atlas of Nebraska (Bison Books, 2021) by J. Clark Archer, Richard Edwards, Leslie M. Howard, Fred M. Shelley, Donald A. Wilhite, and David J. Wishart.

Natural History

“As I became attuned to the textures of this luxuriant and seemingly boundless prairie, I rediscovered a kinship with the earth that awakened feelings of warmth and belonging. I felt like I’d returned to a cherished, long-forgotten home.”

–Stephen R. Jones, Nourishing Waters, Comforting Sky

Nourishing Waters, Comforting Sky (Bison Books, 2022) by Stephen R. Jones.

Wildlife of Nebraska (Bison Books, 2020) by Paul A. Johnsgard.

Nebraska’s Bucks and Bulls (Bison Books, 2020) by Joel W. Helmer. Foreword by Randy Stutheit.

Food/Agriculture

“In its cuisine as in its weather, Nebraska is a land of variety and extremes.”

—Kay Graber, Nebraska Pioneer Cookbook

Mayans Among Us (Bison Books, 2016) by Ann L. Sittig and Martha Florinda González.

Roots of Change (Bison Books, 2007) by Mary Ridder.

Nebraska Pioneer Cookbook (Bison Books, 1974) Edited by Kay Graber.

Sports

“. . . nothing compares to playing in front of the Nebraska crowd. They just love volleyball and people making great plays. You don’t see that most places.”

—John Mabry, Nebraska Volleyball

Nebraska Volleyball (Nebraska, 2023) by John Mabry.

Dream Like a Champion (Nebraska, 2017) by John Cook and Brandon Vogel.

The Rhythm Boys of Omaha Central (Nebraska, 2011) by Steve Marantz. Foreword by Susie Buffett.

History

“. . . activists from Bold Nebraska helped ‘turn the [Keystone XL] pipeline into a symbolic crossroads, a chance to make a national decision about what form our long-term relationship to energy will take.’”

—Rolling Stone quote in Derek Moscato’s Dirt Persuasion

Dirt Persuasion (Nebraska, 2022) by Derek Moscato.

A Brief History of Nebraska (Nebraska State Historical Society, 2018) by Ronald C. Naugle.

Prairie Forge (Bison Books, 2014) by James J. Kimble.

Politics

“[Clayton Yeutter’s] starkest memories, as a farmer’s child, were of walking to school in shoes filled with cardboard to cover the holes, of hard farm work even as an elementary school student . . .”

—John Weber, Rhymes with Fighter

One House (Bison Books, 2014) by Charlyne Berens.

Rhymes with Fighter (Nebraska, 2021) by Joseph Weber.

Death of the Senate (Potomac Books, 2021) by Ben Nelson. Foreword by Trent Lott and Joseph Lieberman.

Contemporary Literature

“Nebraska looked like a quilt stretched across a bed, acre-sized squares in shades of brown and gray and green, smoothed as if by God’s hand.”

—Van Jensen, Godfall

Godfall (Nebraska, 2023) by Van Jensen.

Deer Season (Nebraska, 2021) by Erin Flanagan.

Local Wonders (Bison Books, 2004) by Ted Kooser.

Historical Icons

“I hope readers will realize how many women in various fields have made a major difference in a supposed man’s town.”

—Eileen Wirth, Women Who Built Omaha

The Women Who Built Omaha (Bison Books, 2022) by Eileen Wirth.

Black Print with a White Carnation (Nebraska, 2014) by Amy Helene Forss.

Standing Bear’s Quest for Freedom (Bison Books, 2022) by Lawrence A. Dwyer. Introduction by Judi M. gaiashkibos.

Classic Literature

“The dwelling-houses were set about haphazard on the prairie sod; some of them looked as if they had been moved in overnight, and others looked as if they were straying themselves, headed straight for the open plain.”

—Willa Cather, O Pioneers!

O Pioneers! (Bison Books, 2013) by Willa Cather.

Black Elk Speaks (Bison Books, 2014) by John G. Neihardt. Introduction by Philip J. Deloria. Foreword by Vine Deloria Jr.

The Battle of the Little Bighorn (Bison Books, 2022) by Mari Sandoz. Introduction by Elaine Marie Nelson.