Leaning Into the Wind: Women Write from the Heart of the West

by Linda M. Hasselstrom (Editor), Gaydell Collier (Editor), Nancy Curtis (Editor)

Gathers true stories, poems, and reflections about Western life

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Feminism, Womens, Poetry, Essays

388 pages, Hardcover

First published June 18, 1997

About the author

Linda M. Hasselstrom is an award-winning poet and writer of the High Plains whose work is rooted in the arid landscape of southwestern South Dakota. She writes, ranches, and conducts writing retreats on the South Dakota ranch homesteaded by her grandfather, a Swedish cobbler, in 1899.

Her website, www.windbreakhouse.com, provides details about her writing retreats, online consulting and her published poetry and nonfiction.

Contact her at info@windbreakhouse.com

Reviews

[Alicia Aringdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eclectic collection of short stories and poems about life on the plains and all the hardship and joy that come with it. Having just moved out to our homestead on the plains it was a good time to read the wisdom of those who have gone before and be reminded of why I chose this life. Plus my husband's great grandmother wrote on of the stories so it has a cool family connection.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. This was a compilation of writings (stories and poems) written by women who live in Colorado, Nebraska, the Dakotas, Wyoming, or Montana. I guess what entranced me was the realness of their writing. Their writing reflected the true experience of living in the West in remote areas and involving daily hard work and dealings with hard weather. I can't think of very many other experiences that could be described as honestly and as romantically, at the same time. The love for the land and for the life came through loud and clear. How this rough life taught them the important lessons in life was touching and revealing. Now that I am living in the West in a remote area involved with the weather and the simpler things, this was soothing and inspiring and dreamy. I am not sure what anyone else would get from reading this, but I believe that each book I read teaches me something more about myself, and this book certainly did that. Lovely.

One more thing: this was the perfect book for me to read after finishing The Dust Bowl book. That book was about this same part of the country through terrible times that destroyed people in many ways. This book is about similar challenges that "built" people in many ways. Very uplifting and a nice rebound book.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read this book in years, but I can honestly say that I love this book. It makes my heart ache for the big sky country of my childhood. It makes me laugh and cry because I have had experiences similar to what these women write about. It makes me feel connected to the sagebrush, mountains, desert and prairies that define the west/mountain west. It makes me want to leave NYC, marry a cowboy and live off the land.

This book speaks to some deep layer of my soul.

I really should re-read it, but I am reading its sister -- WOVEN IN THE WIND -- which is similar, but focuses more on the friendships formed between women of the west.

[Adysnewbox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book spoke to me deeply..it was a very personal experience for me, hence the high rating! The stories reminded me of my farmer "roots," and filled me anew with admiration for my grandparents, for choosing this live and filling my father (and ultimately me) with a love for nature, livestock, hard work, and country life with all its ups and downs. For readers who prefer a narrative through-line, this book may seem unorganized, but I enjoyed the patchwork quilt of perspectives that added up to a wonderful chronicle of an often overlooked, rapidly vanishing lifestyle.

[C.J. Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous look into women's lives. And not just because I have a selection in the book. Rural life is not romantic. It is deep and hard and beautiful. Entries in this book will make you happy and sad.

[Magi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helps remind me of home when I'm far away. I want to pass this on to many people when I'm done.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great stories, some just ok. There are some incredibly strong women among the pioneer stock. Some are just better writers than others. :)

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this an almost impossible amount. I've made myself read it slowly, because it made me so deeply immersed in this world that's alien to me. But I was right with those women!
I wish it had never ended.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An awe inspiring book of stories off the raw power of women. Amazing and powerful!

[Andrea]

Found June 5 ‘21

[Karen Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous and heartbreaking. Will never leave my shelves. Gutsy women in hard times just trying to cope.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply loved this book! The collection of writing from women living in North and South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and Nebraska was beautiful, heart breaking, thought provoking and informative. Some essays described the exhaustion of calving while others described losing land or husbands or both. I laughed and cried at the beauty and loss described in equally reverential writing. A phenomenal read!

[Cait · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at a book exchange store back when I lived in Wyoming. Although I really don't go for anthologies, I grabbed it anyways, and adored it. A collection of short stories and poems from western women, it perfectly portrays the heart and soul of the ladies behind the cowboys, ranchers, and rough men of the "wild" west. Love, love, loved it! I put tabs on the certain stories that really speak to me, and this is definitely one of my favorite books.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

A humble look at the brave women who settled the west, with quiet persistence and common sense. So often they are overlooked - the little woman syndrome - but without them the west would still be bunkhouses and cows. Well chosen snippets from many women - poems, short stories, stories that are culled from the contributions of hundreds of women and well edited by four western women who are gifted in sifting out the gold dust of history.

[Liberty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A powerful collection of personal stories, recollections, and poems from women in the Midwest that speak to the hearts of all women, young and old alike, and the experiences women enjoy, endure or otherwise experience. This book cannot be read without laughter, tears, indignation, empathy, and even horror for what other women lived through; it is a true representation of womens' lives.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It reminded so much of my time in the West - the brilliant, hard, knock your socks off relationship with the natural world. These stories and poems - which traversed a great span of time - were inspirational to me in their simplicity. Grace and grits melded together.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

This selection of stories and poetry by women of the West from early in the 20th century on was an incredible selection of historical information made even more so because it is in their own words. The range of ages of the writers, the emotions expressed, the stories told - all wonderful!

[Mara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grew up with women like this (including, as one woman wrote: "the grandmother who sat in her rocking chair and never smiled.") and had no idea how incredibly strong they all were until I moved away. This book took me down memory lane in many of the stories.

[Rick]

Great collection of stories.

[Melanie Guerra · Rating 5 out of 5]

a spectacular collection of stories written by women of american ranching...many of life's lessons to be learned in these pages.

[Jennifer M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic anthology of writing by women on the plains and their ties to the land, their work, and families. I enjoyed skipping around and reading each narrative. Inspiring!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me years to finish this book - because I wanted to savor every story.

[anya · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most enchanting literary collections i have ever had the pleasure of reading!