Fireball: The true story of a Tennessee plow girl who survived poverty, abuse, and eleven husbands with wit, wisdom, and tenacity.

by Julia Walker, Julia Walker

My name is Hazel Lamb…Lindsey, but my momma called me Fireball. I am 84 years old. I only had one year of schooling, but I am self-taught. I worked hard all my life. I plowed fields, cut timber, raised hogs, and managed several businesses. I got married 11 times. I buried two of my babies, but I brung up three children of my own and four step children. I met some of my husbands – and lots of boyfriends – while playing guitar, singing, and buck dancing at country jubilees. I have survived cancer, and one of my husbands choked me to death, but my sweet momma brought me back to life. I shot one husband a little bit, and later, when he was dying of cancer, he was stole from the hospital, and, to this day, I don’t know where he is buried at. I like to tell people I am a movie star, cause I played the wife of a coal miner in the movie October Sky. My life started out hard with poverty and abuse, but all-in-all it’s been a pretty good life. This is my story, and I’d like for you to hear it and learn that no matter how bad things gets, you can overcome and be happy.

Genres: Memoir

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 16, 2016

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight

This is the kind of book I love to read.no sugar and fluff, true grit living. She had a hard Scrabble life like a lot of her generation, but she made the best of it with determination and hard work. Some of this generation should read this book, maybe they would realize you have to work to get ahead in life. Hazel is an inspiration!!!

[Linda Hudak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

I absolutely ADORE this book. I am 68, going blind and living in Meadville PA after losing my house to foreclosure in Pittsburgh 5 or 6 years ago. Nothing like this brave and fearless lady but it sure made me happy to read her syory. I hope many more people read this.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute joy to read! This is the kind of woman I want to be! She is my hero! What a life she lived!!! And what makes it even better is that I live in the area this book was written about and I am her daughter Naomi’s Home Heath nurse! I go into her home (built by Fireball herself!)every week to see this beautiful woman who is in so many ways like her mother “Fireball”! I’ve heard a lot of these stories firsthand! “ Fireball” puts most of us modern- day women to shame. She did not know the meaning of the word “impossible”. She reminds me of some women in my own family, especially my own mother. She’s an inspiration! I’m so glad Naomi gave me my own copy to keep!

[Shaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version of this but, unfortunately, Goodreads doesn't have the audiobook version available under editions as of the time I'm writing this and I'm still unable to add a new edition.

Appalachian memoirs are usually great and this was no exception. It's too bad Hazel couldn't live long enough to see her book enjoy success.

[Rikke Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book, but I was so disappointed! The writer jumps around in dates, years and places that it leaves you constantly confused. And aaaaall those names, my god it was so confusing! Not a book I would recommend to anyone else

[Linda Surritte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ha. What a life. Enjoyed reading this book. Fireball Hazel reminded me of my mother in law, but she only had four husbands not eleven like Hazel. She was strong-willed, industrious and through it all, joys and tragedies, she had a sense of humor.

[Sharon Conger · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a joy to read.

By the time I was half way through the book I was good friends with Hazel in my heart. She's a joy to know I am sure.
And Julia does a superb job of writing her story. And all of this at a time she was needed with her family.
I hope you enjoy Hazel's book as much as I have. It's one to always remember.

[Elisabeth Brookshire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!

Gawd, I wish this book would have on and on. What a delight to the senses. I had trouble at first with the vernacular but I learned to get over it. Read "Maude" or read this. You will not be disappointed!!!!

[Dianne McMahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing True Story About a Real Ball of Fire !

Hazel married eleven times,but stayed true to her, beliefs, if you didn't treat her right,you were history,there weren't no second chances
This Tennessee woman worked hard for everything she had.She grew up in a shack,sleeping five crosswise on a bed and protecting her mama from a drunken husband.
She might have worn flour sack dresses and too big men's boots,but when raising her kids,she made sure,theirs were store bought.

She built homes & businesses.She raised hogs for yrs.and sold the pork for extra money.
She started out in Oak Ridge,Tn.washing dishes,having no idea that she was close to scientists making a bomb.

She eventually worked her way up to her own business of buying junk & reselling it,as she had her own flea market business.She did this clear up to her eighties.

This is a very colorful story about a woman who grew up in a Tn.Holler with colorful language to round it out.I truly enjoyed this book & think you will too.
Come On,Give it a try !

[Holly Hamm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a southerner and well accustomed to how the older southern generation relayed stories. Southerners will flip back and forth between timeframes when telling a story but it’s relevant to to truly understand the meaning behind the lessons conveyed. Hang with the storytelling technique and you’ll wish Fireball was your grandmother. This story flips back and forth between times but relays a down to earth story that helps one appreciate the trials and tribulations our female ancestors went through. This is a story about a woman with tenacity and grit, , she overcame extreme hardship, navigated difficulties in life, but came out smiling and raring to go. I definitely recommend this book.

[JoAnn CV · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t doubt that Hazel had an eventful life, but I came away feeling like a good portion of the stories were aggrandized. There would have been more balance to the book if other people from Hazel’s life were interviewed. She didn’t reflect much on her sordid and complicated life, like the fact that she perpetuated the abuse she was subjected to as a child through *eleven* marriages. It just feels like so much more could have been investigated, but instead there’s a good deal of fluff and pomp and a feeling like a significant amount of truth remains unsaid.

[Caroline Chase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fireball of a Life

Walker’s commitment to writing the story of this amazing woman’s life is inspiring. How many women like Hazel are out there, stories untold? Hazel blazed through eight decades with the same fiery personality and energy no matter what age. She reminded me a lot of my own grandmother in terms of her spirit and determination to not just survive, but thrive!

[Doug koenigsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Make the journey

I just finished reading this book. It was a quick read. Took me back to a simpler time, a time so long gone but still one to be remembered. These were the people that were the backbone of America. I know several "Fireball" s , women living off grid, women traveling in a RV to see our country, and many who stand alone in life and business
Long live Fireball

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old times

I enjoyed this book about fireballs life! I can just imagine what life would have been like for her in the Tennessee mountains. She had lots of spunk that for sure. Very good reading.

[Rona · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I knew Hazel!

What a unique character! Hazel's story was great to read and would make an amazing movie. She's like a cat with nine lives. She's endured more and worked harder than all of her husbands put together!

[Melba L Unsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

I like true stories and happy that I chose this book. I've laughed, cried and felt right at home and in the story. Thanks for bringing back many memories of my own childhood being on a farm.

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most interesting people rarely end up in books

Fascinating life story of someone who defines living fully and completely without fear. Highly recommend to be made into a movie.

[Anita Moronko · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireball for sure!

This book was a surprise for me. I didn't know what to expect, but a hero wasn't it! This woman took care of herself and her entire family by herself, even building homes and businesses alone or with little help. I admire her for all she accomplished.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Hidden Gem of a Book

So pleased I had a chance to read this. Very rarely does a unique real but simple woman get to write a story on her life. I thoroughly enjoyed this. I look forward to the movie. Thanks, Hazel for sharing.

[Jina Biller · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Easy Read

This book is a smooth read. Kind of reminds me of the stories my parents would tell. I'm glad i read it.

[Christine Arrowsmith Hartman]

It was OK reading. I was concerned that I might never speak good English again after reading it though because the Fireball only completed one grade in school and the book was written in her dialect. I understand why the author did that. It did give an authenticity to the events and you did feel like you were hearing them first hand from the Tennessee plow girl herself.

Parts of the book made me laugh and that is always a good thing. Parts of it made me feel a little concerned that things were really getting out of hand. Well, if you choose to read the book, you will find out for yourself what I am talking about.

Overall, I felt that the author was helping this woman get her life recorded and that was very important for Fireball to have that done. The overall events of her life were not inspiring to me, as I had hoped. They were rather sad in that she had such a problem with anger and never found help for that. However, on the other side, she was a hard working woman who accomplished many things that she can be proud of.

[karen service · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read

As a backwoods country girl, I could picture Hazel living in a (tarpaper shack). I could see her in the woods helping her mother cut down trees to pay their landlord. The drunken abusive father she hated. Taking on the role of caregiver and protector of her mother and her siblings. What she lacked in stature she made up for with true grit and determination. Never to take any abuse from anyone ,especially men. This played out throughout her lifetime and her many marriages. She was tiny but tough as nails.

[Diane Mariel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Firelight in a Storm

Wow! What a read! I know a lot of strong women who overcame adversity. Its amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it, but it's also the makeup of the person. I couldn't begin to imagine being married twice let alone eleven times! She was trying to get it right but she didn't let that stop her or the death of her children or sickness. Instead it drove her deeper into independence and self-sufficiency ! I would recommend this book to anyone who sits back feeling sorry for themselves for some inspiration . I know I was inspired

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

The reason why I wanted to read this book was because of the name” Fireball” which described the true story of Hazel Lindsey a Tennessee plow girl who survived poverty, abuse and 11 husbands with wit, wisdom and tenacity. Hazel had more perseverance then all of the 11 husbands that she married. I wish they would make a movie about her life. Hazel’s wit made me laugh in how she handled certain situations that she handled in her life. Hazel Lindsey wasn’t afraid of anyone nor anything!

[Kayla Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, true and beautiful

Miss “Fireball” and her life story reminds me of some the amazing, real women in my family that are now- almost all gone. She tells her story with no apologies and little regret. She is a “firecracker” and her life story is an amazing story that I enjoyed very much. Read it, you won’t regret it. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll learn what a real, strong Southern woman looks like.

[Jp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fireball sharing her truth

I liked this book because it was written in true storytelling form. Hazel lived an interesting life, an American woman growing up in poverty and making the hard life work for her. She keeps her sense of humor but takes no bull. She works hard but still finds the joy of living under any of the circumstances she's in. She's a hero to me. I agree with her, her story would make a great movie. Good, fast read.

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ignorance is Bliss

Why this Writer though this book was worth writing, beats me. This has got to be one of the most disgusting books ever read. Ignorance, mental illness, or something, but surely, not what a normal life would certainly be. This book is so atrocious in my opinion, it gives an undue characteristic view of life and shows : "Ignorance can in some people's mind, can be Bliss."

[Sharon Griffitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone should co make a movie of this woman’s life!
I would say she is one of a kind but I suspect she is one of many who did things she did but one of few who managed to document it. She grew up poor I. Eastern Tennessee with only one year of schooling but managed to own several businesses and rear her children and grandchildren. I am in awe that she had eleven husbands! WTF! But she made no bones about leaving them. I would so go see this movie please, somebody, make it happen

[Allie Ostendorf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fireball indeed!

A riveting and very unique story of a woman’s life growing up in early 20th century Appalachia. While reading the book, I found myself laughing more often than not. The author did an excellent job making you feel as though you were right there with “Fireball” and hearing her personally tell her stories.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining read. Hazel is such an interesting person, between her handy construction skills, fierce attitude, countless men and entrepreneurial endeavors. It was hard to read about the generations of abuse, and so much death. Ps, if anyone knows what the phrase "hard ankle" means, please let me know!