Jessie

Real Women of the American West #4

by Judy Alter

Educated, ambitious, and brilliant in a time not quite ready for her, Jessie elopes with the young explorer Charles Frémont, at the age of 17, defying the wishes of her father, the powerful Senator Thomas Hart Benton.

Jessie expected a life of boundless adventure. Instead, the two most important men in her life are about to alter the course of 19th century American history—but only with her help.

REVIEWS:
"Lulls the reader into forgetting this is fiction." ~Publishers Weekly

REAL WOMEN OF THE AMERICAN WEST, in series order
Libbie
Sundance, Butch and Me
Cherokee Rose
Jessie

ABOUT JUDY ALTER:
Judy Alter is an award-winning author who enjoys writing about women of the American West. Winner of the Western Writers of America Spur Award and the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement, Judy also enjoys writing mysteries. A single mother of four and the grandmother of seven, Judy and her Bordoodle dog call Fort Worth, Texas home.

Genres: Historical Fiction

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Judy Alter was an American novelist and nonfiction writer whose work explored the history and literature of Texas and the American West, with a particular focus on women’s experiences in the nineteenth century. She authored numerous books for adults and young readers, including over fifty young adult nonfiction titles and a series of cozy mysteries, many set in Texas. Before turning to full-time writing, she worked as editor and later director of TCU Press. Alter earned degrees from the University of Chicago, Truman State University, and Texas Christian University. She received multiple literary honors, including the Owen Wister Award for Lifetime Achievement, and remained an influential voice in Western literature.

Reviews

[Martha B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessie was a woman ahead of her time.

As the first born of Senator Benton, Jessie Ann Benton was very close to her father. In many was she was treated more like a son than a daughter. Her understanding of language, history and politics was truly outside the boundaries set by 19th century society. When, while in all-girl academy, she met Lt. John Charles Fremont she was but 16. By the time she was 17 she was married to John Fremont and by 18 she was a mother. Her walk into the pages of history had only just begun.

Jessie by Judy Alter is not just a novel, it's a 19th century saga. Within this riveting tale, which spans the 40 years of Jessie's life from her marriage to John in 1841 until after his death in 1881, I felt like I was living the history of America from it's early westward expansion, through the Civil War and past the aftermath of Lincoln's assassination.

Since I love American and world history, I truly enjoyed this book. That said, not everyone feels as I. Unless a reader enjoys autobiographical style novels that feature historical figures, this engrossing novel might not meet that readers expectations. Lastly, any life well lived is filled with both highs and lows. Also, real life rarely has the happily ever after ending of fictional fairy tales.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a historical read that's well written, candid, respectful and clean.

Disclosure: I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

FYI: I also posted my review on Amazon (as Rural Reader) and on BookBub.

[Yvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessie Benton is the daughter of Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri. They live in Washington most of the time and then alternate summers between his family house in St. Louis and her mother’s family home. Jessie helps her father basically as his secretary with all of his writings. Her mother is sick so she is not around to do many duties in the house except to help make decisions once in a while. At some point and time the explorer and map maker Charles Fremont enters their lives. Jessie eventually against her father’s wishes elopes with him. Most of the book is his explorations and her going between family houses.
I am learning that this kind of book is just not really my style to read. It was an ok book. It was kind of hard to get through. It was descriptive enough it’s just the Characters were a little boring. Which I know is bad to say since some were real life people.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review. The opinions in this review are 100% my own

[Margaret Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical novel set in the second half of the 19th century, tells of one women's strength and determination to bolster and promote the careers of both her father and later her husband. Told in autobiographical terms, one felt drawn into the story as Jessie Benton-Fremont determines early in her life to follow her own course. As the story continues through the ups and downs of her marriage, one could only feel for Jessie as she experiences one disappointment after the other. Nevertheless, she is a loyal supporter of her husband until the end. I found this book interesting, but it left me with a feeling of sadness as I realised that so many women throughout the years have started off their marriages with high hopes, only to come to a place where all their sacrifices appear to have come to naught. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first chapter this story captivated my attention. Myself a history buff I recommend this book. Jessie was born determined, head strong, and only wanted to pursue her own course in life. She attends an all girl boarding school against her wishes. There she meets her husband, LT. John Fremont. They marry and soon after start a family. The story covers Jessie's life and following her husbands many adventures, her fathers political life up until the Lincoln Administration. A story with historical figures that takes you through the good and bad times. A wonderful delightful read of history in the making. I received this book for free from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review it and this is my honest review.

[Aude Dufresne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Être aimée quand est forte?

Le livre est très bien sur la vie des femmes à l’époque victorienne, durant la guerre américaine. Une femme forte et active qui aide son père puis son mari, tout en supportant mère et enfants. Un peu déprimant de voir à quel point l’histoire les écarte et les oublie. Finalement elle obtient une victoire personnelle et la paix à travers l’écriture, mais encore aujourd’hui la bataille n’est pas gagnée.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Jessie, daughter of Senator Thomas Benton and wife of Charles Fremont. It is written as an autobiography. She was truly ahead of her time. No matter how much I tried I could not like her husband. I enjoy these types of books, though they have fiction elements.

[Laura Bray]

10 pages, one entire chapter, was about John Fremont's Oregon expedition....which Jessie wasn't even on (although she didn't describe it). Just couldn't get into it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

about Jessie Benton Freemont, similar to Immortal Wife-good portrayal of fascinating woman