August Derleth, a versatile and prolific author, combined a deep and abiding love of nature with a respect and reverence for his Germanic roots and his Wisconsin heritage. During the course of a career which began at age fifteen, when he sold his first story to Weird Tales, and continued without interruption until his death, over a hundred of Derleth's novels, short stories, histories, biographies, essays, articles, and volumes of poetry were published. The subjects of his countless books and shorter works reflect a curious mind and multiplicity of interests. Early in his career Derleth eschewed the seemingly glamorous life of a sophisticated young literary man in Minneapolis, returned to his roots in Sauk City, and made the land and the people he loved his source of wisdom and inspiration. Derleth never regretted his decision, and his Wisconsin and Sac Prairie sagas, as well as innumerable other works...