Heart of the Trail: The Stories Of Eight Wagon Train Women

by Mary Barmeyer O'Brien

True stories of the triumphs and tribulations of eight women who crossed the American frontier by wagon. First hand accounts from their letters and diaries, most written on the trail.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Womens

81 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

Reviews

[Sue Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The short vignettes in this book are impactful. Each of the women in this book played an important role in their families and in their communities, both the communities they traveled west with, and the communities they helped established once they arrived at their destination. It's hard to fathom that once the wagon trains made it to Wyoming or Salt Lake City, they were only half-way to California or Oregon. And some of the most treacherous conditions still awaited them. It's hard for me to imagine what it must have been like to have to keep going day after day, no matter what the day before had been like. Everything about the journey was relentless. But it was keep going, or die. Sarah Royce wrote in her memoirs that they "launched forth upon a journey in which, we all knew, from that hour there was not the least chance of turning back." (page 30)
"In the late 1830s, a prolonged depression settled over the United States. Wages fell and there was widespread unemployment. It wasn't long before people began to feel crowded too, and disease became more common. By the 1860s, the problems of the Civil War were weighing heavily upon northerners and southerners alike.
During those years, the West seemed like a land of promise. By the thousands, people of all backgrounds sold their homes and farms, loaded their often unwilling families into covered wagons, and started out.
For most women, it was not their decision to travel off into an unknown land far from he schools and churches they treasured. But of necessity they toiled on, bearing children and raising families on the unrelenting trail." (Introduction, pages ix-x)

[Dollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good. I liked it because it talked about woman traveling through America in hard times and in good times.

[Joe Stack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent narrative of the 19th Century wagon train experience. There are books that provide more extensive details, but this book provides a dood overview in just 74 pages. These 8 stories cover 8 different trails west, and taken together they give a fairly good idea of the conditions faced by the travelers. I liked that the author included a map at the beginning of the book with each of the trails marked, so the reader can refer to the map when reading each narrative. I also enjoyed how the author began each chapter. The opening paragraph of each chapter read like the start of a novel or short story putting the the reader (at least me) into the scene from the perspective of the woman whose story is being told. The bibliography at the end of each chapter and the book are good sources for a fuller and more complete history of the wagon train experience.

[Gail DiVico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read about some amazing women who crossed the country via wagon train in the 1860's and kept diaries of their journeys. The hardships they endured and feats they accomplished were extraordinary. All the women exhibited tenacity, courage and resourcefulness. What we consider to be inconveniences today is nothing in comparison - a definite eye-opener. The book also included some excellent resources for other materials regarding the travels of these women. An excellent read for anyone interested in the wagon train history of the old west. Also a great resource for students.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short book is an overview of eight pioneering women who were kind enough to leave their experiences for us in the form of diaries. Their stories were amazing, sad, and inspirational. I’d love to read more about each woman, and thankfully, there’s a space after each chapter dedicated to prospects for further reading. Five stars because it was well written and piqued my curiosity to read further!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Women were pioneers too! And this book tells 8 stories of 8 brave women who traveled west in covered wagons in the mid-nineteenth century. Each women kept a journal detailing harrowing accounts of how they, and the people they traveled with, overcame dangers and hardships to get to their destinations.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short and well written accounts, with a fictionalized, almost juvenile feel. You don't really get to know these women very well though, which is a major complaint. Needed more meat and potatoes. Or more engaging writing.

[David Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

No starting stories. Just stories of the hardship of the women who pulled up stakes and followed a dream of a better life. I will always wonder if they had known the trials & hardships they would face…

[Tina Milledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely easy read with short accounts of some of the brace women who bravely crossed America in the mid 1800s.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found while roaming through the library. Wish there was more to this little book!

[Eleni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but interesting account of the westward trail during the mid 1800s through the eyes, words and perspective of eight women travelers.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. Interesting, but as other reviewers wrote, any or all of the stories could have been expanded.

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short synopis of eight Ladies on wagontrains. Wish the synopis told more about them

[Ida Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing what our women ancestors went through!

[Merilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting true story about eight very different women’s journey west in a covered wagon and life afterward, based on their journals and writings.

[Sarah Fairfax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but entirely too brief. More like an intro to these women and not so much a story of them.

[Taylor Schuster]

can’t even rate it because it felt like a 5th grade history project book but consider me fascinated by people who trekked west by foot & wagon

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and enjoyable--I only wish there had been more actual excerpts from the women's journals/diaries.

[Lenora Good · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a short book, I knew none of the stories would be in depth; however, because they were about women I knew nothing about, they were mildly interesting. The writing is good, the subject matter terrific, but due to the shortness of the stories, not overly informative; more gravy, less meat.

I think this would be a good introduction to anyone not at all familiar with this part of our history, and would hopefully pique their interest to go on and read more in depth accounts, including the actual diaries of the women.

There was nothing here about how they coped with emergencies, or daily lives on a personal level, except as a high level gloss. Personal things, such as how they dealt with babies and diapers would probably not have been mentioned in their actual diaries and or letters home. That would have been considered women's work, and of no importance to record, as all the women would have known. And the men wouldn't have cared what they thought, let alone read the diaries.

I really wish the author had written longer stories with more usable information, given the women 50-60 pages each, and used more quotes from their diaries and letters. Unfortunately, the lack of information in this book make me hesitate to buy any of her other books, though I see she has several out about the same era and subject.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short book is an introduction to eight women who traveled overland across the country during the 1800’s, most leaving a written record during her journey either in a journal or long letters home. Each woman had her own unique story and personality which was portrayed well. One woman, Julia Anna Archibald (Holmes) was a very early feminist, who did not go by her husband’s last name and wore bloomers instead of the long skirts that women typically wore during the long journey. She was perhaps the first woman to climb Pikes Peak. We also meet Clara Brown, a recent emancipated slave who was either given or bought her freedom. She went to Colorado in search of one of her daughters. She had such a generous spirit to all, particularly the poorer people and Native Americans. We meet six other brave and strong women.

The book definitely leaves one with a desire to read more about each one’s journey. Thankfully after each woman’s story were a few specific references for further reading about her. At the end of the book even more references were provided for further information about women on the trail, and not only of books, but also museums and other media.

PS: I would have given the book a higher rating if it was longer, just too short!

[Logan Truesdell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very inspiring book and I don't think that I would be able to do what these women did. However, even though it was a short book, I would have preferred if the stories went a little more in depth than they did. I don't mean a huge amount just another 2-3 pages. All in all, this was a very interesting book and I would be happy to read it again. I would re come d this to all history lovers who like the western expansion subject.

[Melissa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introductory book on the subject. It's a short, quick read with a few portraits of the featured women. I wish the author would have quoted the original source material more often, as the best parts were the quotes in their own words. It's well-written and highlights different stories that are each unique in their way, instead of the same story repeated.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be an amazing account how the harshness of the trail west and the amazing strength of the women who traveled it. Excellent read and a wonderful snapshot into the exceptionally difficult crossing of the country on a wagon train.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very brief accounts of several different women who travelled different routes on their way west in the 1800s, a good introduction for readers who are unfamiliar with the trails west or the trials endured. Very quick read; handy to pick up when you only have a few minutes.

[Jennifer Kusler · Rating 2 out of 5]

A compilation of stories from women on the wagon trail. Discussed some interesting aspects of life for these women, but a bit basic and short.

[Coby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book, but I found that Kenneth Holmes collection "Covered Wagon Women" is better since it includes complete diaries and accoutns.

[Teri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about pioneers, especially pioneer women. I enjoyed the variety of stories in this book, but craved more detail as I read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read, but not nearly enough description. Each entry is too short and leaves the reader aching for more information.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and easy-to-read collection of stories about women with a variety of experiences during their westward, wagon-trail trek.

[Colleen A Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good introduction to the role that women played in emigrating west.