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Love Is a Wild Assault
Delicate and dark-eyed, Harriet Potter became a legend for all time--a woman compelling sudden loves and fierce loyalties against the colorful backdrop of a brawling, newborn republic.
Abandoned to the savage wilderness and left to die, she fought a courageous battle for survival. And soon she was a proud beauty dressed in a silken gown--boldly escaping the approaching Mexican army in the arms of the man she loved.
Harriet Potter was known throughout the land as the heroine of a thousand tales, each one taller than the last, and each one true.
Abandoned to the savage wilderness and left to die, she fought a courageous battle for survival. And soon she was a proud beauty dressed in a silken gown--boldly escaping the approaching Mexican army in the arms of the man she loved.
Harriet Potter was known throughout the land as the heroine of a thousand tales, each one taller than the last, and each one true.
502 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
December 16, 2015
4.5 stars
This is the story of Harriet Potter's life in the wilds of southeast Texas before Texas became a state. The author used Harriet's own manuscript of her life plus court records, land deeds, newspaper articles, and letters as source materials. Woven throughout Harriet's story is a good picture of what it was like to live in the lawless strip of land that wasn't really under Texas or Louisiana control. Not only did she survive panthers and starvation, but she survived 18 pregnancies and a couple of really crappy husbands. That last bit is not spoiling, it's on the back of the book!
Thanks go to Hannah for the recommendation!
This is the story of Harriet Potter's life in the wilds of southeast Texas before Texas became a state. The author used Harriet's own manuscript of her life plus court records, land deeds, newspaper articles, and letters as source materials. Woven throughout Harriet's story is a good picture of what it was like to live in the lawless strip of land that wasn't really under Texas or Louisiana control. Not only did she survive panthers and starvation, but she survived 18 pregnancies and a couple of really crappy husbands. That last bit is not spoiling, it's on the back of the book!
Thanks go to Hannah for the recommendation!
August 5, 2016
The first 3/4ths of this truth-based historical novel were excellent. The final 1/4th was rushed and anticlimatic.
Be advised that it was written in the 1950's, so PC sensibilities don't apply.
;)
Be advised that it was written in the 1950's, so PC sensibilities don't apply.
;)
April 1, 2008
A museum book club choice, so a re-read for me.
One of those classic woman/frontier/men (mostly no-good) epic novels. But a few things make this one special: it's based on the memoirs of Harriet Potter Ames (the main character) and is packed with plenty of scholarly research. So though it's definitely fictionalized history, it's also not exactly made-up. And when you consider her story, that's a pretty amazing thing. Parts of it will hit you straight in the gut.
My only issues with this book are slight ones--the book is framed as Harriet writing out her story for her granddaughter, and in the first third or so, it goes back and forth between present and past. And then for the majority of the last two-thirds, this little narrative trick vanishes. And the ending feels very rushed--there's very little about Harriet's less tumulutous years, and it would have been nice for 10 pages or so about that. Which would have been better spent then the 20-30 pages on the granddaughter choosing a husband.
Still, a page turner and worth checking out, espeically if you have an affinity for frontier stories. It just sounds like a bodice-ripper romance novel. It definitely isn't.
One of those classic woman/frontier/men (mostly no-good) epic novels. But a few things make this one special: it's based on the memoirs of Harriet Potter Ames (the main character) and is packed with plenty of scholarly research. So though it's definitely fictionalized history, it's also not exactly made-up. And when you consider her story, that's a pretty amazing thing. Parts of it will hit you straight in the gut.
My only issues with this book are slight ones--the book is framed as Harriet writing out her story for her granddaughter, and in the first third or so, it goes back and forth between present and past. And then for the majority of the last two-thirds, this little narrative trick vanishes. And the ending feels very rushed--there's very little about Harriet's less tumulutous years, and it would have been nice for 10 pages or so about that. Which would have been better spent then the 20-30 pages on the granddaughter choosing a husband.
Still, a page turner and worth checking out, espeically if you have an affinity for frontier stories. It just sounds like a bodice-ripper romance novel. It definitely isn't.
September 4, 2018
Liked the book well enough but hate the title. Would never have considered reading it from the title. Interesting look at Texas history, but way too long. As with many telling their own story the main character seems to have an unrealistic view of her effect on the opposite sex. The cover also made it not appeal to me. Did the actual book have maps? Living in Northeast Texas I wanted to know where things happened.
November 18, 2008
What a wonderful book. Thank you Elorra for recommending it!! I loved it.
July 25, 2018
very good
July 27, 2017
I'm rather torn in my opinion of this book. Although I couldn't put it down, I still felt disappointed. If the author were still living I wouldn't be as honest about what I think. It appears to be an exceptionally well researched historical/biographical novel about one of the most amazing women I've ever heard of. I think the reason I couldn't put it down is because Harriet Potter's story is so compelling. The writing doesn't do justice to this woman's life. Instead of a good book, this could have been one of the great classic biographies. It reminded me of an "almost good as" Gone with the Wind type of romantic novel. The writing style was too flowery for my taste and, at times, seemed a bit like a cheap romance novel. I agree with several other reviewers that the end was terribly disappointing. After all the heartbreak & deaths of the first 3/4ths of the book, I longed to read about her happy marriage and the last 10 children. The switch to the granddaughter's romantic decisions seemed so silly and anticlamtic. In spite of my criticisms, I still recommend it as a shocking bit of Texas history (I kept doing internet searches to see if some of the more wild things were true, & they are).
May 3, 2023
Okay first off, the title did not age well. I can imagine assault maybe being an obscure-ish legal term in 1959, but I almost wish they’d re-release this under a different title so people would read it now. Mama thought I’d like it and wow she was right! The frame narrative was so poignant (similar to Gilbert City of Girls, but better). The conversation between Hattie and Tricky were darling and clever. The slow reveals throughout the plot were so well done. Harriet faced so many trials and I loved following her through all of them. She is such an endearing narrator. I was thrilled and surprised by Tricky’s coda. I want a whole book about her and Peter (She picked Peter, right?) so bad. And a book about Harriet once she settled with Charles Ames. Kirkland’s writing was so smooth and gorgeous, I practically forgot it was there. I’m obsessed!
March 10, 2021
First off, I hate the title and maybe I'm just dense but i don't get what it means. While I enjoyed the story it took awhile to get into into it, about half the book and then it had one of my least favorite writing devices where the ending is not clear and its left up to the reader to decide what happened. I enjoyed the depictions of the early west and all that living in the Republic of Texas entailed. I have a few friends who loved this book and if you love historical fiction it is a great read, I love biographies and true stories,.this was a good mix of history and relational stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2025
I wanna give it 3.5 stars. I loved the story, I’d never heard of Harriet Potter Ames, but my grandmother recommended it to me (being that we’re from this area). Such an incredible (and true!) story about life in the pre- and early Republic days. What I did not like was the writing style. Something about it kept yanking me out of the narrative, perhaps it was the story within a letter within a story part of it? I just found myself thinking “Oh, this isn’t actually Harriet writing this,” even though I really *wanted* to feel that it was. Also I agree with the other commenters that the last 1/5 was meh. Anyway it was good and if you’re interested in this period of Texas history I’d highly recommend it.
June 27, 2017
The book was loaned to me by a retired history professor after a discussion of our early Texas ancestors. It is a historical novel about the most remarkable women I have ever read about. The story was developed from the an account of her life written, but lost for many years, by Harriet More Page Potter Ames. The novel traces Harriet's life from before her first marriage in Tennessee through her life in the Caddo Lake area of Texas. Her adventures, as her trials were many. The only disappointment was that very little of her life was written after the death of her husband, Robert Potter.
March 27, 2025
I found this book fascinating and absolutely loved this book right up until the the point where Tricky’s story overtakes her grandmother’s. I was really disappointed not to get to hear the rest of Harriet’s story with Charles Ames and the 10 children who didn’t make it. And whatever happened to Joe Boy?
July 21, 2017
Absolutely loved this book, both for its history of Texas as well as the fascinating and probably mostly true story about Harriett Ames. Some of her story is set in south central Texas where I live, so that made it come to life even more.
August 3, 2020
Such a great story. I really enjoyed this book...until the end. It just felt rushed and abruptly ended. It’s worth reading again though. Her story takes you there, to that beautiful place touched by God, TEXAS.
January 16, 2022
I wanted to love this book, because it is my grandma's favorite book and it is based on a true story which is set around our hometown, but I just didn't enjoy the hopeless romantic and constant complaining. Also trigger warnings for infant death and miscarriage!
September 27, 2022
Great biography of Harriet Potter, "kishi-woman" and said to be the bravest woman in the Republic of Texas. Based on manuscripts by Harriet Potter recording the story of her life in the Caddo Lake region of Northeast Texas.
April 3, 2024
Fantastic true story of Texas frontier life from the perspective of a very brave woman who lived it. Set in the 1830s and 1840s during the Texas Independence days. The title makes it sound like a romance novel. It has some romance but it is definitely not just a romance novel.
June 7, 2017
Fascinating! I highly recommend!
August 16, 2017
Enjoyed it
April 18, 2020
Loved this book. Since I’m a Texan, I have studied about much of the states history that was unfolding as the story takes place.
January 2, 2021
An entertaining story about life in the early Texas and the dangers for women. Not terribly well written...a bit unbelievable at times; based on a real person.
January 23, 2021
Fascinating story of early Texas pioneer woman. Based on a true historical figure - Harriet Potter Ames... makes me want to know more about her!
April 25, 2021
Learned a lot about Texas Life in the 1800's
Want to read
November 3, 2022Recommended by Lisa Johnson (CDA)
January 21, 2023
Based on a true story of texas history and people. A little to “fluffy” but very interesting and well written.
April 3, 2023
Book club selection for April, 2023. Not a favorite but an enjoyable read. Should make for interesting discussion given its connections to real Texas people, politics, and history.
July 11, 2023
I knew Mrs Kirkland and her family. I love every book she wrote and wish they would be available here. Love Is a Wild Assault is riveting.
July 10, 2024
One of my all-time favorites. Beautiful story with true history intertwined with bits of fiction. Setting in the Northeast section of Texas behind the Pine Curtain and the natural Carson Lake.
February 15, 2026
One of the most memorable books I've ever consumed.
March 18, 2021
Really weird name for this novel about a real life Texas pioneer woman. Makes it sound like a romance novel...
It was pretty cool reading the part about living in the swamps of the Brazos River while camping on the Brazos.
Finished and wow what a story! And it seems like it is pretty much true. What is the perfect literary novel? No, but it was amazing to read about her life. I could have it kept going (what about her time with Charles!?!). Also typical 50s description and discussion (except one part at the very end) about American Indians & enslaved people (oh the 'Negro dialect'!)
At first the end of was annoying but then interesting and I wonder how much of that is true.
Definitely read if you like historical Texas novels.
It was pretty cool reading the part about living in the swamps of the Brazos River while camping on the Brazos.
Finished and wow what a story! And it seems like it is pretty much true. What is the perfect literary novel? No, but it was amazing to read about her life. I could have it kept going (what about her time with Charles!?!). Also typical 50s description and discussion (except one part at the very end) about American Indians & enslaved people (oh the 'Negro dialect'!)
At first the end of was annoying but then interesting and I wonder how much of that is true.
Definitely read if you like historical Texas novels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews