For many years I had always liked Edna Ferber’s novels: Multi-generational sagas which traced the rags to riches fortunes of a family in such varied locales as Texas or Alaska. When I closed each novel, I always felt satisfied – as if I had finished a whole meal. Great stuff.  Typical Ferber: The narrative would begin with a prospector wandering in the woods who finds a gold nugget. And it would end with the man being elected state senator. When the idea of The Northeast Quarter came to mind, I wanted to write a Ferber-like book. Only set it in Iowa between WW1 and The Great Depression. She was a definite inspiration.