Deep River by Karl Marlantes

A classic Americana tale of immigrant families who settled the lands of the Pacific Northwest. The Finns who ran from Russian oppression and the Swedes who came looking for an opportunity are featured as they work to create a logging empire in the early 1900's Washington. Old customs and racial divides were not forgotten in this new land of great natural beauty as well as the chance to conquer the impossible and make something of yourself. At the center of the tale is the radical and independent Aino Koski and her siblings along with the two men in her life that want to claim her as their own. The author does a remarkable job of syncing the lush and dangerous countryside to the tough dangerous but very emotional people who try to tame it. This book is an important addition to the immigrant experience and how it took independent thinkers who were willing to work hard at great risk to break the cycle of only the elite few reaching success.