The Four Winds
The Four Winds is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life The Great Depression and the people who lived through it — the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battles between the haves and the have-nots. A testament to hope, resilience and the strength of the human spirit to survive adversity, The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation.
PRAISE FOR ‘THE FOUR WINDS’
- #1 New York Times Bestseller
- #1 USA Today Bestseller
- #1 Indie Bestseller
- #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
- #1 Los Angeles Times Bestseller
- #1 Publishers Weekly Bestseller
- #1 Globe & Mail Bestseller
- Today Show “Read With Jenna” Book Club Pick
- Indie Next Selection
- Amazon Spotlight Pick
- #1 Library Reads Selection
- Book of the Month Club Selection
“Through one woman’s survival during the harsh and haunting Dust Bowl, master storyteller, Kristin Hannah, reminds us that the human heart and our Earth are as tough, yet as fragile, as a change in the wind. This mother’s soul, suffering the same drought as the land, attempts to cross deserts and beat starvation to save her children with a fierce inner strength called motherhood. A timely novel highlighting the worth and delicate nature of Nature itself.”
–DELIA OWENS, AUTHOR OF WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING
“Powerful. Unforgettable. Triumphant.”
–PAULA McLAIN, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE PARIS WIFE
“This American epic delivers a message of hope and heroism. I loved every page.”
–CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE, #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE EXILES
“Epic and transporting, a stirring story of hardship and love…Majestic and absorbing.”
–USA TODAY
“Brutally beautiful.”
–NEWSWEEK
“For devoted Hannah fans in search of a good cry.”
–KIRKUS
“Through it all, it is easy to feel Hannah’s desire to honor those who lived and fought through this devastating time in history. The Four Winds is also an ode to the strength and ferocity of mothers, and a declaration that sometimes, love is the only thing that holds us together. Above all else, The Four Winds is merely a really good story, one that hits you in all the right places and will keep surprising you until the end.
–AP
“Hannah brings Dust Bowl migration to life in this riveting story of love, courage, and sacrifice…combines gritty realism with emotionally rich characters and lyrical prose that rings brightly and true from the first line.”
–PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (STARRED REVIEW)
“Through Elsa’s eyes, readers travel through the Great Depression era and experience firsthand the difficulties faced in the Great Plains. Historical fiction readers will become immersed in this poignant story by Hannah (The Nightingale; The Great Alone) and will enjoy witnessing Elsa’s transformation from fragile, insecure girl to fearless, resilient woman.”
–LIBRARY JOURNAL (STARRED REVIEW)
“Outstanding…(A) rich, rewarding read about family ties, perseverance, and women’s friendships and fortitude.”
–BOOKLIST (STARRED REVIEW)
“The Four Winds is a sweeping epic about an American struggling to keep her family afloat. It feels eerily timely as it highlights the ways women rally during a national crisis.”
–REAL SIMPLE MAGAZINE
“Fans of The Nightingale won’t be disappointed with the author’s newest work, and they’ll warn you—if you don’t know already—to keep the tissues handy.”
–KMUW (WICHITA LOCAL NPR)
“A spectacular tour de force of survival that shines a spotlight on the indispensable but often overlooked role of Greatest Generation women.”
–People Magazine, Book of the Week
EXPLORE 'THE FOUR WINDS'
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Firefly Lane
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The Great Alone
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Alaska, 1974. Untamed. Unpredictable. And for a family in crisis, the ultimate test of the human spirit.
Goodreads Best Historical Novel of 2018
An Instant #1 New York Times Print and Print/eBook Bestseller
New York Times Audiobook Bestseller
The Nightingale
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning and Dakota Fanning
In love we find out who we want to be.
In war we find out who we are.
Goodreads Best Historical Novel of 2015
People’s Choice Favorite Fiction Winner
Amazon Best Book of the Year
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Kristin Hannah
Wow!!! It’s so cool to be the 1000 question on #jeopardy, but even COOLER that someone knew the answer!!! Thank you Amanda!!!! #kristinhannah #thefourwinds #fireflylane #fireflylanenetflix #jeopardy #fiction #bookstagram
We were watching as I shouted out the answer! How fun! Good for you! Every time I see a new book set during the Second World II, I think of your "The Nightengale." I do believe you were the beginning of it all! Great job dear friend! Now if only I was well enough to get back to Maui, which means you have to soak it all up for me also, whenever you go! 🥰
How cool is that? Great to see you the other night. Tell Ben next time I will have his beverage of choice on the boat LOL. See you again soon. LOVE the Bacon Onion Jam. OMG you are right - it is addicting.
Awesome sauce! Yelling the answer at the television!! Coolest jeopardy clue, ever! 😎
I was so proud to know the answer AND to have read the book! It was wonderful!
That was such a great book. I can't wait until the next season of the show to find out what caused their rift. It's been quite awhile since I read the book, but i do remember how good it was.
Love it! Was just telling a group of co-workers yesterday that this is my favorite book and I give it as gifts to friends 😍
Pretty cool! Just a FYI: your books were MUCH better than the Netflix series.
My most favorite book! Along with Night Road and The Great Alone, The Nightingale, and on and on. I love your books. Thanks!!
Awesome! Send her a personally autographed copy!!
I have enjoyed every book I've read by Kristin Hannah!!! I started with The Nightingale recommended by a friend and decided to go back and read her books in the order in which she wrote them just to see how she grew as an author. She definitely is talented!
That is definitely the measure of success! I loved seeing that on Jeopardy tonight! I’m a huge fan!
What an honor! Love your books! The Nightingale is still top choice but they are all so well written!❤
I was just talking about your great books today at the dentist’s office 📚
I love your writing. Firefly Lane was awesome, but The Nightingale is still my favorite!
Yeah! I would’ve known the answer. I’ve read and loved all of your books!
I knew the answer too!!!! I had JUST finished “The Four Winds” that day!! Which, by the way, was such a terrific book!! Wow! You’ve outdone yourself, Kristin!!
Love love love all of your books!!! Wish they came out more often 😂
We all knew sorry it should have been $100 question. Love your books
I heard the question while making dinner and yelled out the answer! Very cool
That’s one of the only questions that I actually got right when watching jeopardy! My husband was impressed!
I'm sure your name was shouted out in MANY households during that show! It was in mine!
I shouted out the answer before she could even say it! How exciting for you!
Your books are great , so is Jeopardy!! Yea, Amanda!
I don’t know the answers to many Jeopardy questions, but I would have known this one!
Everyone with female parts knows that answer. We all read the book or watched the series
Just cleaned out an old office closet and here’s what I found—OMG the very page I ever wrote on my very first novel. 1986. It was never published and never will be :). But it was the beginning of this amazing journey. For anyone who has a dream, no matter how crazy people tell you it is, believe in yourself and keep at it. Learn, practice, read. Against all odds, keep at it! #thefourwinds #kristinhannah #writeradvice #believeinyourself #thejourney #lovewriting #bookstagram
Love this advice. #goforit
This is my dream! I adore your books.. just finished The Great Alone. It was one of the most captivating and empowering books I've ever read. All of your books carry us on such an incredible journey with intricate and enduring relationships, exquisite detail, and finish with a promise of hope. I always walk away with so much insight into a time period that I didn't live through, geographic location I haven't visited, experience that I haven't had... thank you for taking us there so well!
How fun for you to find. You are an amazingly talented author.
I'm sure this would have been as good as all your other books. You're an amazing writer. I love how it is obviously typed on an actual typewriter 😊
Wow! It is very cool that you found this. I’m glad you are on this writing journey. I’ve read almost all of your books. I think I have two left to read.
Wow, Kristin! Thanks for sharing this powerful and motivating story. I just started The Four Winds last night, and love it already!!🤗
Four Winds was my first of your books. Loved it! Read 2 more so far. Loved them! You are an awesome author. Thanks!
To me, writing seems like such a luxury. And yet something in me has a visceral NEED to write! My conundrum is how to go about it while meeting the needs of my family (children) and doing ALL THE THINGS required of me (including professional demands) throughout the day! I want to heed your advice without all the guilt and/or sleep deprivation!
I have a big tote filled with all the articles and journals books I wrote. I have published some articles but not the books. I wrote to escape. And now I’m starting to ride again and hope that I can gain courage to polish and publish. I love your books
Typed on a typewriter and double spaced after a period - those were the days. April 19th my birthday, a few years before my time though lol haaaa
I can't be the only one wanting to read more of this?!? ❤ Regardless, this is so neat that you found this, and what great advice!
You need to frame this page and hang it where you write. Great inspiration to keep going. See how far you have come. I love your books and glad you took the plunge to enter the writing pool.
Love the name Meghann MacLaren! I think you should use that name in a future novel!
I need to know what happens in Meghann’s life!
Looks like it had the beginnings of a great story. Maybe you were meant to rediscover it
The imagery in that first line foreshadowed a writing career that has satisfied your readers time and time again with inspiring characters, life changing plot, and gorgeous setting. <3 I need to share this post with my students! Here's to more stories you have left to tell!
I absolutely love your books! I have been reading my way through them this summer. I’ve read 18 so far since school has been out. I’m a teacher😊
I love this and I love the novels you've written. Haven't read all of them yet. So far The Nightingale is one of the best books I've ever read. Retirement is around the corner for me so definitely will read more!
Hope you frame this & hang it somewhere everyone can see. It isn’t just an inspiration to you but for anyone who sees it, you don’t usually succeed on your first attempt so keep trying.
Love love love your books. I just found you and have read two books and ordered five more titles to follow up with
I just finished “Four Winds.” I’m so glad you followed your dream. It was sooooooo good.
Wow! I read this and wanted to know more! You always pull me in from the very first line of your wonderful books. Perhaps this may be another great book in the making! Awesome find!❤
Earlier my favorite genre was romance but after reading nightingale, Great alone and my current reading four wind my fav genre is historical fiction. All credit goes to you😊
I am sure this book would be as exceptional as all of your books. I think you should finish it as it is already a page turner
Sounds like it would be a fantastic story. What about framing it and putting it where you like to write for continued inspiration. Great advice!
Wow!!! It’s so cool to be the 1000 question on #jeopardy, but even COOLER that someone knew the answer!!! Thank you Amanda!!!! #kristinhannah #thefourwinds #fireflylane #fireflylanenetflix #jeopardy #fiction #bookstagram
Jul 29
Wow!!! It’s so cool to be the 1000 question on #jeopardy, but even COOLER that someone knew the answer!!! Thank you Amanda!!!! #kristinhannah #thefourwinds #fireflylane #fireflylanenetflix #jeopardy #fiction #bookstagram
Just cleaned out an old office closet and here’s what I found—OMG the very page I ever wrote on my very first novel. 1986. It was never published and never will be :). But it was the beginning of this amazing journey. For anyone who has a dream, no matter how crazy people tell you it is, ...
Jul 27
Just cleaned out an old office closet and here’s what I found—OMG the very page I ever wrote on my very first novel. 1986. It was never published and never will be :). But it was the beginning of this amazing journey. For anyone who has a dream, no matter how crazy people tell you it is, believe in yourself and keep at it. Learn, practice, read. Against all odds, keep at it! #thefourwinds #kristinhannah #writeradvice #believeinyourself #thejourney #lovewriting #bookstagram