Unflinching Courage: Pioneering Women Who Shaped Texas – Stories of Brave Mothers, Ranchers, and the Thriving State They Built

by Kay Bailey Hutchison

In Unflinching Courage , former United States Senator and New York Times bestselling author Kay Bailey Hutchison brings to life the incredible stories of the resourceful and brave women who shaped the state of Texas and influenced American history. A passionate storyteller, Senator Hutchison introduces the mothers and daughters who claimed a stake in the land when it was controlled by Spain, the wives and sisters who valiantly contributed to the Civil War effort, and ranchers and entrepreneurs who have helped Texas thrive. Unflinching Courage: Pioneering Women Who Shaped Texas is a celebration of the strength, bravery, and spirit of these remarkable women and their accomplishments.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 8, 2013

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because I was raised in Mexico (with Cherokee heritage), I tend to side with the indigenous (Comanche, Apache, Kiowa and Mexican) point of view, so I'm not likely to wholeheartedly endorse a book such as this one. The "winners" describe history with a certain bias that can't always be trusted.

The spirit of Texas does seem to encourage the theorem of "Manifest Destiny," but I just don't agree with one race thinking they're better than others, and using the Bible to boot, to appropriate lands from other cultures.

She derisively mentions the "boys club" on page 293 . . . talk to the women in Afghanistan or Middle East, and you can really start feeling sorry for yourself: women cannot leave the house without the company of a man, or the husband OWNS the woman and retains the right to cut off her nose or kill her.

As hard as these Texas (settlers) women may have had it, other women have it a lot worse--still to this day. We console ourselves knowing that behind every great man, there's a great woman--which she alludes to towards the end of the book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book club selection and while I knew most of the Texas history, the role of women in the early events was unknown to me. Women are often overlooked and not named. It took a great deal of courage to pioneer in Texas, the Runaway Scrape highlighting the trials they faced. With men off fighting, the wives and older children had to manage. Women also helped drive their family’s cattle herds to market in places as far away as Los Angeles.

My favorite part of the book centers on Oveta Culp Hobby, Colonel Oveta Culp Hobby, who organized the WACs. Later she became the first Secretary of Health Education and Welfare, only the second woman ever to achieve cabinet status. Her husband Governor Hobby owned the Houston Post and she served as President and editor. It was Oveta who gave young lawyer Kay Bailey Hutchison her first job as a reporter when all lawyering jobs in Houston were closed to her.

Thank you for documenting the role of these women in Texas history.

[Denise みか Hutchins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm giving up on this book at page 64. If I wanted to read a general history of Texas, I would have chosen a different tome. The writing has almost no focus on women and when it does, it doesn't make them seem "pioneering" or notable, rather the opposite and to a greater degree. The final straw for me was starting the Texas Revolution chapter, reading about nothing but what the the notable men were doing, then when women were finally given the spotlight, it was merely to highlight their contribution of creating flags (infuritating was the author's claim that "Women did much more...than fashion flags..." just before she went on to describe flags women made for a paragraph before returning to the story of the men making history). After an introduction that was laced with hints of anti-Native American sentiment, a beginning chapter that seemed to be nothing more than the author blowing smoke up her own ass, and a second chapter highlighting the struggles of a woman whose notoriety stems from her foolishness, luck, and the help of her slaves and various men, this book has shown its title and subtitle to be completely misleading. In 64 pages I have read nothing to prove the "unflinching courage" of the few women the author has discussed. "Pioneering women" should be changed to "pioneer women" as none of the folks I've read about did anything forward or progressive—as the descriptor 'pioneering' strongly suggests—and none of the women covered are Native American, Mexican, Spanish, black, or anything other than white migrants from the East. I feel I can't express, as a Texas-born female who was ready to find pride in my roots, my disappointment and outrage in this book and its author. I suppose that's what I get for ignoring my initial reservations at reading something written by a politician.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a whim, I attended Kay Bailey Hutchison's intro and book signing session at the local Barnes & Noble in the great state of Texas. I had the pleasure of her reading excerpts before signing the two hard copies I purchased. You see, I have a new granddaughter born in March 2013. I thought this would be a perfect gift from grandma someday in the future. (problem goodreads--edition above says e edition, and I can't change it to hardcover).

Of course I read it too. It is really wonderful to finally read a book about the accomplishments of women. I learned Texas history as well. It was well written. I enjoyed the personal family background of the featured women. It is not a dry history book with only facts, but a readable family history of the women. I really liked the chapter headings included in bold title print the maiden names of these ladiies. (one did not follow the form, a mistake?), We, ladies, are not our husbands! Our last names may have changed, but we women do exist and are separate entities worthy of recognition where recognition is due.

I recommend this book. Read it ladies and gentlemen.

[Convy Stahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging book about the history of Texas and highlights the lives of the founding pioneering women (and men) who helped Texas become a US state. Written by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, who was the first female Texas senator, she gives us a glimpse into the difficult lives of the pioneers and how they over came them. Given the enormous challenges faced by the settlers, it is amazing what fortitude and independence they had which is a reflection of how the US developed as a country.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed in this book. The biographies of most of the women were not as informative as I would have liked. I guess I was expecting a bit more details and more of the personal feelings of the women dealing with their lives and experiences in Texas.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best writer but mini biographies left me impressed but the perseverance of these women. The book also filled in some gaps in my understanding of American history.

[Ellen Templin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting information - written like a text book. Could have been better

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this book about 100 pages into it. I was hoping for more personal accounts where a reader could feel she knew these women and their struggles. Seemed like dry history.