The Hollywood Book Reviews commends “It Was Nevada” by Tony Lesperance

The Hollywood Book Reviews commended and described Tony Lesperance’s book, “It Was Nevada,” saying that “the author did an incredible job of balancing out the more informative and historical aspects of the overall narrative with the rich character development and heart of the narrative.”

The need to preserve our planet is a fight that has many sides. Not only do environmentalists want to preserve the planet entirely and help stop climate change, but farmers and ranchers are fighting to keep their livelihoods in check and stop big businesses and government overreach from seizing their lands and commercializing farming in general. Learning to work the land and utilize its natural resources to survive is a long-held study and practice of mankind, and there are those who are willing to fight to preserve that right.

Author Tony Lesperance was born and raised during the height of the Depression, but his father made sure that he would learn how to deal with his world. As a teenager, Tony was shipped to Nevada by his father to work on a ranch to give him direction in life. His teenage diversion turned into a lifelong love for Nevada, particularly Nevada ranching and farming.

“It Was Nevada” by Tony Lesperance is a hard-hitting book following the adventures of Terry Hope from his earliest days to his ultimate goal of working on a Nevada cattle ranch. Yet, fate has strange ways, and Hope soon finds himself at the University of Nevada, pursuing a master’s degree in agriculture, and just as suddenly, he finds himself on the staff as an assistant professor.

This is the message and struggle of protagonist Terry Hope in author Tony Lesperance’s It Was Nevada. This contemporary drama hones in on the fight to keep Nevada’s agricultural work afloat. As more and more urban development projects turn their attention to one of the nation’s most rural states, Terry’s dream of owning a cattle ranch becomes complicated as he becomes a professor at the University of Nevada and discovers the dirty politics and federal overreach putting the state’s agriculture in jeopardy. Through his work with his longtime friend Pete, part of the Basque people, the protagonist finds himself in the middle of Nevada’s agricultural history, as the largest industry in the state faces a battle for its very survival.

Here’s an excerpt from the review written by Hollywood Book Reviews that highlights:

“ The author did an incredible job of balancing out the more informative and historical aspects of the overall narrative with the rich character development and heart of the narrative. This book, while long, packs a punch as the reader is treated to a fair deal of powerful imagery used in the author’s writing style, allowing the reader to feel transported to the struggle or this industry. The heart and passion for which the writer puts this story into perspective allows the reader to feel the author’s own life experiences and studies about this industry to shine through on the pages.

This is the perfect book for those who enjoy contemporary reads, especially those with a blend of drama, character growth, and non-fiction elements as well. The history and culture that was explored throughout this novel was not only reflected in the author’s writing style, but the descriptive nature made these characters and scenes feel far more alive and engaging on the pages. The shocking twists and turns in the story of Terry Hope and his struggle to not only pursue his dreams, but to save a dying industry in the process, made this a momentous and exhilarating journey. “