Pen and Plow Book - Hardcover from 1976

This book records the development of Western Canada from 1882 to 1939 as seen through the eyes of a farm journalist. It details many dramatic events that unfolded during this period and helped to mold the distinctive character of Canada's prairies. These pages record how the prairie farmer has been a vital cog in Canada's economic, political and social development. Pen and Plow is a 1976 non-fiction book by Canadian author Cliff V. Faulknor. The 152-page hardcover book explores the history of Western Canada from 1882 to 1939. It tells this story through the writings and viewpoints of the farm journalists who lived and worked during that era. The book highlights the challenges and growth of early prairie farming. It looks at the transition from horse-drawn plows to modern tractors. It also covers the shift to large-scale wheat farming.Journalists acted as the "eyes and ears" of the time. They wrote about crop failures, tough weather, and community triumphs. Faulknor's work captures these historical newspaper records. The book won the Province of Alberta's Department of Culture Non-Fiction Award in 1976.