Review of "Hawkeye Tales," by Hubert L. Moeller

 Review of

Hawkeye Tales, by Hubert L. Moeller

Four out of five stars

Dated, valuable history of the state of Iowa

 Written at the level of the late elementary school student, this book is somewhat dated, yet remains valuable, as long as it is interpreted within the proper historical perspective. It begins with a brief geological history of the state, back to the times when it was under both the sea and glaciers. While there is brief coverage of Native Americans, the real depth of the history begins when the people of European descent arrived.

 Many of the Iowa cities along the Mississippi were named after these first explorers as well as Native Americans or given names taken from the languages of the Native Americans. The names of counties, natural features and cities in the interior of the state were derived from the languages of the Native Americans.

 Ranked roughly in the middle of the United States in terms of order of statehood, population, area, and geographic position, Iowa ranks high in many of the most positive features. Along with the brief history of the state, these features are emphasized, demonstrating how important it is economically.