History Alive is a program of first-person portrayals of historical figures by presenters who have conducted scholarly research on their character. Born in West Virginia, Buck grew up in China with her missionary parents, but never forgot her West Virginia roots. She received the Nobel Prize for her 1931 novel "The Good Earth"—the first American woman ever to be awarded the honor. She was also a humanitarian and social activist who was deeply concerned about the welfare of children worldwide.