My Life as a Whore

by Tracy Beach

An extensively researched book about a well-known Colorado madam, but most of what's known about her is wrong, including the spelling of her last name. Follow the antics of Laura as she works in parlors in Denver, Leadville, and Salida, until she opens her own house. Laura's house stayed open longer than any other in Colorado, due largely to the unusual qualities of its owner. After years of trying to shut her down, the Salida town council finally passed the edict. Not long after, Salida began having numerous assaults on the streets. The council came back to her and suggested that she re-open, but she turned them down. Includes numerous historical photographs of Laura and her girls.

Genres: Nonfiction

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 11, 2015

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an unexpected gem. I really enjoyed not only the historical content ( specifically the Colorado history) but learning about this woman. She was an amazing woman and such a pillar of her community even though they treated her horribly. I'm grateful Tracy wrote this novel. I learned a lot all while enjoying an interesting story.

[Kayla W · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Life as a Whore offers a striking look into the past through the eyes of Laura Evans, whose story brings both personal and historical depth to the page. I really appreciated the way the book captures her perspective growing up during the mining era, highlighting the harsh realities, trials, and tribulations people faced during that time.

The challenges she endured are astonishing, and the detailed sense of place adds so much to the story. The history of the area is woven in beautifully, creating a vivid and compelling depiction of Laura Evans’ life. Overall, it’s an engaging and memorable read.

[Brittany Cogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and interesting read! I loved learning about so much “local” history!

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun read about a woman who took no shit

[Caitlin Whyte]

this diva!!! she was really runnin shit around Salida back then. grabbed this on vacation, glad i did fun read

[Abigayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little worried about how narrative the story was at the start. I thought it was a bit much for a biography, but as I read, I got more and more invested in the story. There probably isn’t a better way to tell a story like that of Madam Laura Evens. Telling it in this way, Branch certainly engages the audience with the wins, losses, and tragedies endured by its protagonist.

As a whole, I loved this thrilling, gritty, and often funny story which did well to enfold within it changes on the global, national, and local scale. It also made me miss living in Colorado, which is impressive for any book. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in women’s history, Colorado history, or just wants an all-and-all fascinating and electric true story to dive into. It’s a quick read I’d be happy to repeat myself and share with friends. Five stars and two thumbs up.

[Reagan Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was beautifully written and did an amazing job capturing Laura’s life, as well as all the fascinating history that went on locally and nationally. My favorite way to learn about history is through the lens of a single person and how it related to their life. But this book was so much more than a history - I loved the immersive descriptions and the thoughtful details. It was an empowering, heart-breaking, and captivating read. Laura may have not been cut out to be a mom, but it was amazing to see all the things she did for her community and how well she took care of those around her. This book definitely gave me so much empathy and understanding for those who chose to be whores.

[Megan Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea what to expect of this book, but a friend recommended it. Living in Leadville, I found it to be a very unexpected gem! It’s absolutely a must read! It’s well written, keeps you wanting to read more, extremely interesting, and filled with so many historical facts and accounts. Truly can’t recommend this book enough!

[Teri Reck · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Despite it's shocking name, this was very interesting read about a former "soiled dove" and Madam who made her living in the Colorado mountain towns. She herself, with an "a spade is a spade" sort of attitude, called her living what it was, and hence the title of the book. A very interesting look at Colorado history and its movers and shakers from 1871-1953.

[Bianca Beton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laura Evens is a national treasure!

I could not put the book down. I loved hearing about the Colorado history after a recent trip. So thankful to the author taking the time to learn so much about Laura and what life was like in the 1900s. I learned so much!

[Joy A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great read

Tough life but a good historical view of CO at the time. Very informative and well written about Co mountain towns. Thank you.

[Taylor Lynn Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting, empowering, and historical! Super interesting to see what life would look like at that time! The phrases and verbiage are so interesting and almost hilarious!

[Getty · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting little historical book on prostitution in Colorado and a Parlor House owned by Laura Evens.

[Alyssa Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. This lady was a trip & a total badass. The Colorado history was cool to read about, especially from Laura’s perspective.