Westward the Women and the pioneer spirit
599025
I first saw this movie a long time ago, before cable.  I was a young girl then.  This movie FINALLY gives women a place in the movement west.  Most history books and movies make women of that era look like a bunch of pansies!  Westward the Women depict women in a true pioneer light, able to do what is considered the work of men.  This movie spurred on my interest in women's histories.  This should be part of any school pioneer studies.  At least a jumping off point for discussion regarding the authentic role of women since the first European woman set foot in North America.
2645196
Hardships and blessings came in pairs for Mary Miles Eyre, a 15-year-old English emigrant to America. First: New Orleans with hope and excitement of a new life; yet, the cultural shock of a New World. Second: St Louis and reunification with her father, Miles Eyre; yet, separation from her two half-siblings. Third: Fort Laramie and routine beatings from her father; yet, intervention that rescued her--leading Mary to Mexican-owned California and happiness in marriage. Fourth: The Snake River and the latent revelation of the death of Mary's father; yet, freedom for Mary's mother, Eliza (Turner) Eyre, from spousal abuse. Fifth: Pastoral life for Mary in California with her first husband, John Sinclair, at their home along the American River; yet, an onslaught of thousands seeking gold, disrupting that tranquility. Finally: The Trip back East via the Pacific Ocean, Panama and the Gulf of Mexico, seeking a more stable life; yet, the loss of Mary's husband and infant child at sea. This is a compelling story of the blood sweat and tears of a young pioneer woman who headed West, my 2nd paternal Great Grandmother. Well written. Detailed references. A one-of-a-kind, fact-based historical documentation of a deserving pioneer woman.
2054278
I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely book! Tabitha Brown was in her sixties, but refused to be left behind when her family journeys to Oregon. Tabithas determination and exhaustible spirit became a staple for her family.

Hardships, starvation, and sickness didn't daunt these brave pioneers from their destination. I enjoyed Jane Kirkpatricks style of writing and the sprinkles of good old common sense she flavors the pages of The Road we Traveled. For instance on page 133 Tabitha says, If you carry regrets into the future, the future won't be a safe place either.

The historical facts Kirkpatrick builds throughout the novel provides a solid foundation of American knowledge and know how of what our forefathers went through to settle the virgin soil of the western frontier and our Biblical roots. As Tabby puts this, Her prosperity began when she had given everything away, when she had nothing left...
4162261
This book used a unique viewpoint on the lives of the American pioneers. Robynne was able to make the lives of prairie folks' relevant for the modern reader. Examples of Caroline Quiner Ingalls own words, and the discussion of their meaning, were used to described Caroline's emotions and thoughts in a way that the modern reader will understand. I think Robynne accurately captured the psychology of the prairie wife and mother.
The picture that Robynne paints of prairie life reminded me of my great grandmother with her wood fired stove and flower sack dresses.
878005
In The Legacy of Conquest, Patricia Nelson Limerick puts forth her thesis that the conquest of the Trans-Mississippi West is an ongoing economically driven process.  Focusing on the West as a physical place rather than a mythic ideal, the author demonstrates how the frontier never closed and that the conquest continues to this day.  The book looks at the conquerors of the West and the obstacles they face from Native peoples, westward expansion, immigration, and government interference or the lack thereof.  Those coming west did not come with the idea of destroying the land or the Indians, but with the hope of economic improvement and opportunity.
 Few people coming west concerned themselves with the Native Americans whose land they began to occupy.  Farmers, ranchers, and miners seeking wealth worried more about their own survival than the survival of Indians.  Many pioneers portrayed themselves as victims when their dreams of wealth came face to face with the reality of grasshopper plagues, overgrazed ranges, and barren mines.  This self-victimization continues to this day with these same groups decrying government waste while asking for subsidies.  However, some who came to the west did become true victims.
 Some of those who came west in an attempt to make their fortune mining ended up working in the mines of large companies or working other low paying jobs.  Those who worked in the mines put themselves in grave danger everyday.  With no safety regulations and labor laws that blamed workers for their injuries, mining was one of the deadliest occupations.  Attempts to unionize Mineworkers led to mine owners using violence and murder to dissuade union membership.  Many who worked the mines immigrated from England and Ireland.  These European immigrants, while low on the class scale, were not as low as those who came from a different ethnic background.
 Non-white immigrants all faced similar experiences.  Chinese immigrants, hoping to improve their lives, faced hostility from all sides.  Local and state governments barred them from living in certain areas, bringing over their families, and working in all but the most menial and dangerous of occupations.  Mexicans and Latinos who came to work in agriculture faced constant harassment and persecution that continues to this day.  The idea that an immigrant is taking a job from an American plays a large part in anti-immigration movements to this day.  Unfortunately, most who oppose immigration refuse to realize that the jobs immigrants perform are ones that most Americans consider to menial or low paying to perform.  Limerick's weaving of the past and present together shows how the problems of the Old West are still with us today.
 The author does an excellent job of examining the past problems of the West and showing how they are unresolved.  Arguments between ranchers and the federal government persist over grazing fees.  Farmers receive payments for not growing certain crops.  Mining laws allow companies to buy land for a shockingly low price and strip it of its mineral worth and beauty.  Native Americans, pushed onto reservations, are now suing for the enforcement of past treaties.  Limerick shows the irony of the attitude of the West in pushing the federal government away with one hand while reaching for a handout with the other.
 While The Legacy of Conquest is highly recommended to students of American history, it does have its flaws.  The author overuses metaphor in the early chapters of the book, making it read more like an opinion piece than a historical one.  The author's inclusion of the Mormon Church's problems seems forced and does not belong in a book about the economically driven conquest of the American West.  Limerick also uses a non-chronological approach that may bother some readers.  However, the author does an excellent job at combining primary and secondary sources into an interesting book.  Despite some minor problems, Limerick shows that while the appearance of the West changes the conquest of the West continues.
867185
I thoroughly enjoyed Phoebe Judson's vivid portrayal of pioneer life in the 1850s, when as a young couple they crossed the U.S. in a covered wagon and finally settled in Washington State.  She tells of the hardships they and many others like them encountered traveling across the Great Plains, following and traversing the Platte, Snake, and Columbia Rivers, the Indian attacks along the way, and the Indian Wars in Washington State after they had settled there.  They finally found their ideal home in Linden, Washington where her husband became its first mayor and she became known as "the mother of Linden, Washington."  It is a remarkable story of courage, compassion, and character.
2485983
Very readable first-hand story of the struggles of the early pioneers to get West. So many died.... Offers a balanced, non-PC presentation of interactions with Indians/Native Americans at a time just before the flood of pioneers put many of them "on the warpath."
2822129
GOOD VISIT TO THE NATIVE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE AND OUTLOOK OF THEIR CULTURE FROM THE 1880'S.  ENJOYED THE READ
2638503
I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of these brave women of the American frontier. It's refreshing to read about courageous women with intelligence and character.  These ladies were all so different from each other but all with the common thread of determination to start a new life from scratch.
4144934
When I started reading the book it drew me in immediately.  The history is extremely interesting and the character development is wonderful to follow.  You think you are part of the history and feel like you are part of the discovery of the new frontier.  A good read especially if you are interested in the time period and the remarkable endurance of the early American women; the hardships, the day to day life style and experiences of traveling in the early discovery of the wild west.
4645745
Great book about the courage of the early pioneers settling in the West.  Sister Blandina was remarkable in her efforts to spread the word of God under very trying circumstances.  It's no wonder that she is up for sainthood.
4582819
This book is an interesting account of a woman's life during the late 1800s and early 1900s.  If you are interested in this time period, you will enjoy it regardless of whether you are interested in polygamy or Mormonism. There are some odd spots in the writing, including some repetitive passages.  These almost led me to give it 4 stars instead of 5.  However, the story itself is too important to let some blips in the writing get in the way.  I was surprised at how well educated and actually open-minded the individuals in the story were.  These were not religious zealots though they lived a very dedicated religious life.  If you have read "Escape" or "Stolen Innocence," you need to read this book to get the back story and really begin to understand how religion can get people to  practice polygamy.  Annie Clark Tanner is a true American pioneer.
2970230
I enjoyed reading Westward Winds.  It was so interesting to read a historical romance with a strong woman as heroine.  Furthermore, she approached her relocation with logic and planning and was willing to give her best effort to adjust to her new surroundings.  I have never before thought about what may have led cultured, educated women from wealthy families on the eastern seaboard to relocate to the West.  All other books involving such women that I've read previously presented them as financially ruined or running from an arranged marriage, etc..  To me, Tessa's reasons were unique.  She came from a wealthy, loving family but she chafed at the restraints society placed upon women of her social standing.  I highly encourage you to read this short, (99 pages) clean historical romance.  It is suitable for teens on up.
4396999
Townsend's journal of traveling across the plains and mountains to the Pacific in 1834 is not only an enjoyable read depicting life as such, but also an important historical narrative on names and events of the day.

An accomplished ornithologist, Townsend accompanied Nathaniel Wyeth and his seventy-man caravan of goods to the 1834 rendezvous and eventually established Ft. Hall in Idaho.  Also in this expedition was the famous botanist Thomas Nuttall.

The author is very descriptive and expressive of everything around him from geography; the natural world; Indian encounters, along with their living conditions and cultures, to the livelihood of being on the trail and surviving day to day.  He is meticulous and energetic in his writing.

An adventurous read and valuable to western history.
301024
`Frontier Grit: The Unlikely True Stories of Daring Pioneer Woman` is authored by Marianne Monson. Several pioneer women are mentioned in this book. I'm not sure if all of them were Christians, but that may be worth investigating. They were all strong-willed women. Women of today can thank them for making our paths straighter.
  Pioneer Nellie Cashman loved everything about pioneering. She was rugged, had a deep devotion to her Catholic religion, and knew what it was like to suffer through poverty and hunger. She had many chances to marry but chose to stay single so she could have opportunity and adventure.
  Aunt Clara Brown was born into slavery in the early 1800's. Clara had a vibrant relationship with her Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. No matter where she was when the spirit moved her to pray she would drop to her knees and pray. She considered her sufferings as nothing compared to what her Lord went through.
  Abigail Scott Duniway was an Oregon Trail Suffragette. It was her sole responsibility to journal the weather, mileage traveled along the Oregon Trail and anything else of interest.
  I learned that some of our ancestors found shelter in abandoned chicken coops. This story makes me wonder if we truly appreciate our modern lifestyles. Are our hopes and dreams much different than our ancestors?
  Although most of this book focuses on social life, political history is also mentioned. Abigail Duniway was the first woman registered to vote and the first female voter in Multnomah County, Oregon. Several stories of grit and determination are told throughout this book. I recommend this book to history buffs, especially those interested in women's issues.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this e-book through Net Galley for my honest review.
776896
The westward movement by wagon train these women did was shown well and how tough it could be and the conditions they had to put up with.  It was bad enough for families with father and husbands along, but women doing it themselves would be a horrendous thing, wich hollywood does not usually show.
1820559
These biographies reveal more than just the men as fur trappers. It is a summary of each life, based upon historical research. An important addition to round out the library. Each chapter is written with enough information to show that these men were at the forefront of Manifest Destiny. The stories also show the different peoples coming together in the American West. Written in a scholarly style but not ostentatiously so this book shows just how traveled the West was prior to the 1840's.