"The Desert of Wheat" is a novel written by Zane Grey. The novel revolves around the wheat country of eastern Washington state during World War I and explores the themes of patriotism, social class, and the challenges faced by farmers in the early 20th century. The main character of the novel is Kurt Dorn, a wealthy wheat farmer who is drafted into the army and sent to France to fight in the war. While he is away, his farm is taken over by a group of German spies who are plotting to sabotage the American war effort. When Kurt returns home, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the spies, risking his life to protect his country and his farm. Will Kurt get successful to protect his farm and country? Throughout the novel, Grey portrays the struggles of the farmers in the eastern Washington wheat lands, who face droughts, pests, and the harsh conditions of the desert landscape.
Pearl Zane Grey was an American author and dentist known for his novels and stories. He was born on January 31, 1872, in Zanesville, Ohio. He was the fourth son born to Alice "Allie" Josephine Zane and Lewis M. Gray. His mother was a Quaker immigrant whose forefather Robert Zane came to the American colonies in 1673. His father was a dentist. Grey studied dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his graduation in 1896. He got married to Lina Roth also known as Dolly in 1905. He had anger issues, depression and suffered mood swings which affected his life. And so, Grey spent most of his time away from the family, while Dolly managed his career and raised their three children. Their family moved to California in 1918 and settled in Altadena, California in 1920 in a home they named as Zane Grey Estate. Grey continued writing during 1930s and was in great depression. From 1925 to his death in 1939 he travelled away from his family exploring the unspoiled lands, particularly the islands of the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. He died on October 23, 1939, aged 67 at his home in Altadena, California due to heart attack.
