EMPIRE OF DUST: SETTLING AND ABANDONING THE PRAIRIE DRY BELT. Jones, David C. Edmonton. The University of Alberta Press, 1987. 316pp, Cloth, ISBN 0-88864-120-6 (paper) $14.95, 0-88864-119-2 (cloth) $24.95. Grades 12 and up Reviewed by Iyvan Michalchyshyn Volume 16 Number 3 1988 May The Canadian prairies have given this country and its people many stories. This book, written by a member of the of the faculty of the University of Calgary, takes the reader through a Significant although unknown portion of the prairie story. The subject of the book is the now non-existent town of Carlstadt (Alderson), Alberta, once titled the "Star of the Prairies." The author, who has written on prairie themes before, is concerned with the prairie dry belt. This book covers the beginnings of settlement at the turn of the century up to the present, although the bulk of the material is centered in the twenties. Jones uses the town as the central focus but discusses the surrounding area extensively. The story of over-promotion, incredible development, weather change, and personal and financial disaster followed by exodus flows very smoothly. The dry belt suffered a great deal more during the 1920s, especially 1926, than during the more famous "dirty thirties." This region came to be called the dust bowl or "next year" country, where hardships became unbearable for many. The book is scholarly, but as mentioned previously, the moving narrative appeals to all readers. It also contains a very useful appendix, footnotes, and commentary on sources. This volume would certainly be a useful addition to any library's history collection, particularly for senior students. Iyvan Michalchyshyn, Gordon Bell H.S., Winnipeg, Man.