Welcome to the Historical Link for Peace Like a River!!!
Throughout this book, Lief Enger makes many references and tells a story about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. these two people were outlaws and bankrobbers who were eventually caught and shot in Brazil in 1922. These two outlaws help to serve as inspiration to Sweede and help to make the story more interesting. For more information on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, click on the following link. http://www.media.utah.edu/UHE/c/CASSIDY,BUTCH.html
A large chunk of this book is set in the Badlands of South Dakota. Lief enger set the book here because it is near where he lives and grew up. The Badlands are part of a National Park and attract hundreds of visitors each year. For more information on the Badlands, click on the following link.
Another inspiration to the book was the acclaimed writer Zane Grey. Zane Grey lived from 1873 to 1939. He wrote several famous western novels such Riders of the Purple Sage and The Heritage of the Desert. His novels inspired Sweede in her poetry and provided constant entertainment form the characters and the readers. for more inspiration on Zane Grey, click on the following links.
