Wellspring

by Janice Holt Giles

"Janice Holt Giles wrote over twenty books in her lifetime, fiction and non-fiction, richly defined by place - her childhood home in Oklahoma, her adopted home in Kentucky, and the frontier of the Indian Territory and the Far West. Wellspring, Giles's last published book, is a fitting end to a diverse career." "For Giles fans, the 19 selections in Wellspring grant a behind-the-scenes look at the makings of a writer, from her family and her politics to her love of Kentucky and its people. The pieces also take readers to some well-loved and familiar places; "When the 'Lectric Comes to the Ridge" echoes the Kentucky of The Enduring Hills, and the Kentucky of Hannah Fowler comes to life in "Wilderness Road." Reminiscences about an interview with an old riverboat captain reveal the genesis of her book Run Me a River." With humor and insight, Giles writes about her own life - political campaigning for John F. Kennedy in 1960, her involvement in factional Kentucky politics, and her misadventures with husband Henry as they attempt to build a log home. Her historical writings link the perceptions of an astute observer with a keen sensitivity for making people like Daniel and Rebecca Boone real, flesh-and-bone players in an American drama. On her writing, Giles muses on the mechanics behind her craft and the things she would have done differently - even her own pen name.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Janice Holt Giles was an American writer best known for her series of pseudo historical novels focusing on life on the American frontier, particularly within Kentucky.

Reviews

[Connie Huddleston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been on my nightstand since 2019! I should have picked it up earlier. I read at every available moment after reading the first page. Again, Janice is my favorite female author. She know how to tell a story and capture your heart with her words.