Ida:Her Labor of Love

by Carol Crawford McManus, C. McManus, Carol

IDA: HER LABOR OF LOVE is the true expanded biography of a woman living in Colorado during the late 1800s. Rich in the details of pioneer life, this story enchants, amazes and illuminates the woman's role in civilizing the then raw wilderness of the American West. The reader will be facinated by the life of this frontier woman, experiencing her joys and sorrows along the way.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

290 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1998

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about the early pioneers that settled in Eagle County ... which is the county I live in!

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely tribute the author wrote about the life of her grandmother Ida, one of the early white settlers on the western slope of Colorado, where I live. It is fictionalized in that it is written like a novel, but the broad facts of her life and the communities in which she lived in the late 1800s and early 1900s are carefully researched. It was so interesting to see the growth of communities that I know well, and to consider the great struggles many people went through to build them up, including the many roads, bridges, and ditches. Highly recommended to anyone who lives in this area, or is interested in western history. It's like Little House, but without the rosy tint, about and for grownups.

[Joyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book years ago when I first moved to Colorado and it left such an impression on me that I have to review it now. My mom is reading it for a book club and I was delighted to remember this book. It gave me an incredibly clear picture of pioneer life in Colorado and the resiliency of the people who came here.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously much of the internal voices that drive the story forward are made up but it does make the story interesting and moving. Great way to learn more about life around 1900.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had women not been the underlying strength of the settling of the west , it may not have happened. A remarkable account of life in western Colorado.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderful history of Colorado as seen through the eyes of Ida Herwick and her family in the mid 1800’s-1919. Bio.

[Loralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical walk through the Colorado Western Slope from 1873 through 1919 by following the life and times of Ida and Josiah.
As Ida and Josiah start a life together, celebrate the joys and challenges of pioneer living and raising a family.
I really enjoyed the "news of the time" clips that introduced each segment of the novel as an update to events in the country and world.

As I was reading this non-fiction book, I remembered stories from my Grandmother about her life as a child and chuckled over phrases like,
"Ladies Aid Society" that I haven't heard for generations.
I am amazed and humbled by the strength and hardships this generation of people endured.

Carol Crawford McManus has made a wonderful contribution to Colorado history and dedication to the people of our heritage through this novel.
I read this book for our local book group and am looking forward to our discussion.

[Kellybiney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really opened my eyes to some good Colorado history. I couldn't believe how pregnant she always was, and how we take it for granted that we know how to prevent being so. I also was surprised that there was so much federal land protected in the late 1800s, and how big of an impact the mining era had on local wildlife and timber stands, and even more surprised that the federal government took action to prevent further decimation of deer and elk herds, as well as forests, and even replanting trees. Another piece of history that got me going, was how Teddy Roosevelt removed many tens of thousands of acres of federal land from protection and allowed it to be hunted, ranched, and farmed. Glad to have read it.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has so much to offer! Besides an amazing story following a family and others that helped shape our country with the first railroads, mining, farming etc, we are given very useful and interesting bulleted facts that pertain to the storyline. With each word I read, I felt that I was living their daily life right along with them. We may learn alot of history during our school years but not with this kind of emotion. I've learned through this book to appreciate all the simple things in this life that were never even thought of in those days.

[Missie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice personal history of the central and western slope of Colorado. It show the kind of people that were driven enough to settle and develop Colorado. I enjoyed the highlight between the sections that let you know what was going on politically during the same time period (that was relevant).

Personally I wonder if they knew any of my family given that they were also in the lumber business at the same time and in the same area . . .

[Laura Shearer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the chance to "get to know" my great-great grandparents. My great-grandfather, Guy, died several years before I was born. Nice to know the basics of the Herwick family really haven't changed much through the years.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally had to make a list of all of Ida's children just so I could keep them all straight. If you read this book, you may want to see it. Contact me. ;)

[Jaci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting local history. Nice chapter intros that add items of interest about Eagle and Garfield County history for the dates covered in the chapter.

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming book and a nice way to learn some Colorado history.

[Book Duo]

Colorado author!

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

PB-B C 2001 - 9/12. True biography of a pioneering woman living in Colorado in the late 1800's.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Learning some of the history of the area I live was interesting.