Books for "Women of the West" Book Review & Discussion
GMCWS Rally in Amado, Arizona - April 9 - 14, 2013
Since our April rally will be in Arizona and our theme for the week will be the Old West, our book club meeting will be a discussion of women’s lives in Arizona at the turn of the century. Instead of selecting a single book, I thought it would be fun to let everyone choose from among several books that all deal with women’s lives in Arizona in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s.
Here is a list of the books I read since I took on the task of choosing a book for the book club meeting at the upcoming rally. They are all available on Amazon (some on Ebay also) – new and used, or at the public library. Choose as many or as few as you wish…and we’ll talk! Feel free to attend the session whether or not you’ve read any of the books. Or read another book that you discover and come share it with us.
Non Fiction:
Vanishing Arizona – A Young Wife of an Officer of the U.S. 8th Infantry in Apacheria During the 1870’s by Martha Summerhayes
A true account of the life of a young army wife who followed her husband during his service in the late 1800’s. What a time it was! Though she’s not a polished author, Martha’s story is fascinating.
Elsie - Adventures of an Arizona Schoolteacher 1913-1916 by Barbara Waite
A good read. Elsie Haye’s diary provides an interesting look at a woman who led a very nice life back in the early 1900’s. The diary entries are interspersed with narratives by Elsie’s granddaughter, Barbara Waite. There were telephones but using them was a big production and traveling was a real ordeal.
Amazing Girls Of Arizona : True Stories Of Young Pioneers by Jan Cleere
Jan Cleere is an attorney in Tucson and she assembled a great collection of stories. Fun to read because each story is only a few pages long. A nice, varied look at women’s lives at the turn of the century.
Levi's & Lace: Arizona Women Who Made History by Jan Cleere
Jan Cleere’s second collection of stories. Interestingly written portraits of 35 heroic women of the time categorized according to their lifestyle/profession: art, law, education, ranching, etc.
Fiction:
These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
A fictional story based on a historically correct depiction of the life and times of Sara Prine, “one of the most memorable women ever to survive and prevail in the Arizona Territory in the late 1800’s”. A great story. Well written. The author is a Tucson resident who was inspired by her family’s memoirs.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions you might have. We will also be having a book exchange so bring a book or two along to trade or sell if you'd like.
Thank you, Carol Minnie