Synopses & Reviews
From a rediscovered collection of autobiographical accounts written by hundreds of Kansas pioneer women in the early twentieth century, Joanna Stratton has created a collection hailed by
Newsweek as “uncommonly interesting” and “a remarkable distillation of primary sources.”
Never before has there been such a detailed record of women’s courage, such a living portrait of the women who civilized the American frontier. Here are their stories: wilderness mothers, schoolmarms, Indian squaws, immigrants, homesteaders, and circuit riders. Their personal recollections of prairie fires, locust plagues, cowboy shootouts, Indian raids, and blizzards on the plains vividly reveal the drama, danger and excitement of the pioneer experience.
These were women of relentless determination, whose tenacity helped them to conquer loneliness and privation. Their work was the work of survival, it demanded as much from them as from their men—and at last that partnership has been recognized. “These voices are haunting” (The New York Times Book Review), and they reveal the special heroism and industriousness of pioneer women as never before.
Review
Peter S. Prescott Newsweek Irresistible...uncommonly interesting...a remarkable distillation of invaluable primary sources.
Review
Carolyn See Los Angeles Times Book Review Here are the voices of some of the most wonderful women you can imagine calling out from the past, telling about their lives. And no doubt about it, the 'pioneer women' lived eventful lives. All this is wonderful material, wonderful stuff.
Review
Cleveland Plain Dealer A striking testimonial to the too often overlooked feminine half of the pioneer experience.
Synopsis
From a rediscovered collection of priceless autobiographical accounts written by hundreds of pioneer women, Joanna Stratton has made a remarkable and widely celebrated book. Never before has there been such a detailed record of women's courage, such a living portrait of the women who civilized the American frontier. Here are their stories: wilderness mothers, schoolmarms, Indian squaws, immigrants, homesteaders, and circuit riders. Their personal recollections of prairie fires, locust plagues, cowboy shootouts, Indian raids, and blizzards on the plains vividly reveal the drama, danger and excitement of the pioneer experience.
These were women of relentless determination, whose tenacity helped them to conquer loneliness and privation. Their work was the work of survival, it demanded as much from them as from their men -- and at last that partnership has been recognized. "These voices are haunting" (New York Times Book Review), and they reveal the special heroism and industriousness of pioneer women as never before.
About the Author
Joanna L. Stratton was born and raised in Washington, DC, but considers Kansas and her family there as her second home. She began her work on Pioneer Women while attending Harvard College, from which she graduated with honors in 1976. She is currently pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University.
Table of Contents
ContentsIntroduction by Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
Foreword
PART ONE
1. To the Stars Through the Wilderness: The Journey
2. Homes of Puncheon, Homes of Sod: The Settlement
3. Aprons and Plows: Daily Life on the Prairie
PART TWO
4. Days of Valor: Fighting the Wild
5. Days of Darkness: Fighting the Elements
6. The Clashing of Cultures: Indians
PART THREE
7. A Social People
8. A Prairie Childhood
9. Classrooms and Schoolmarms
10. The Frontier Church
PART FOUR
11. The Frontier Town
12. The Cow Town
13. The Immigrant Community: Victoria
PART FIVE
14. The Wounds of War
15. The Woman Crusaders: Temperance and Suffrage
Appendix: Guide to the Lilla Day Monroe Collection of Pioneer Stories
Bibliography
Index