Chapter 1, In a Bad Way, and Chapter 2, Land Rolling! Summary

Ralph Moody is a writer who began his career late in life and writes mostly about his own personal history, including his adventures as a farmer.

In a Bad Way. Ralph was not able to serve in the military during World War I because he was the head of his family after his father died, so he spent the war working at a munitions plant. When he returned home, Ralph had lost so much weight, his mother forces him to go to the doctor. In the hospital, Ralph learns he has diabetes and that the experts do not expect him to live more than six months. However, Ralph's family doctor, Dr. Gaghan, places him on a special diet and encourages him to move to the west where...