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Hill Country
A novelization of the life of Laura Hoge Woods, who lived in the hill country of Texas and was heavily involved in politics throughout her life. The book gives a fascinating account of her close motherly relationship with Lyndon Baines Johnson, former President of the United States, and tells the story of Herman Lehmann, a white boy taken by Indians and raised by them.
480 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
August 28, 2010
Excellent history of the hill country of central Texas as told through the eyes of a woman who lived over 90 years. Covered pioneer battles with Native Americans, lynchings, Charles Lindbergh, WWI and WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War. Main character Laura Woods was an early political activist who longed to actively participate but was not allowed until she rallied to get women the right to vote. When it became clear no one in her family might achieve political office she became active in the political career of LBJ. Loosely based on a true story.
January 3, 2019
I found this gem at a book sale for 50 cents; and after reading it, discovered that I got almost two biographies for the price of one! The main biography is about the author's grandmother, Laura Hoge Woods. The secondary biography is about the early years of Lyndon Baines Johnson's life and whose mother, Rebekah Baines Johnson, and Laura were best friends. Laura's son Wilton and Lyndon were also best friends. This book is written as true-life historical fiction. It is, at times, a page turner and, at times, it becomes a slow read; especially when writing about the details of political events. It begins in the hill country of Texas in Hoge Hollow on a bend of the Blanco River during the late 1800's and ends in Seguin, Texas in the late 1960's. Some highlights from the book include:
-Indian raids of Apaches and Comanches when Laura was 7 years old. Laura's mother (Little Mattie) and brothers must fend off and outsmart an Indian attack by Carnoviste, the Comanche Indian chief; Black Cato; and Herman Lehmann, a captured white boy who grew up Indian.
- Several years later, Laura has secret meetings with Herman Lehmann down by Eager Mule Creek. which turns from friendship to love. She convinces him that he must become "white" again and come home. The murder of their neighbors, the Cathertons, enrages Laura's father who is convinced Herman killed them and who builds a posse to capture and hang Herman.
- Laura and Herman's frequent visits to the Glasscock Circus when it wintered on the Blanco River each year. Herman's failed attempt to become "white" again.
- Laura's courtship and marriage to Peter Woods. His dream is to breed and train the finest horses in Texas. Laura's dream for Peter is for him to have a future in politics and be a leader in the community.
-Laura spends a year at a remote ranch by herself in order to establish residency to satisfy the requirements of the Land Alienation Act and expand their holdings. The only person nearby is an armed, sick, and demented trapper who leaves offerings of stinky uncured animal pelts on her porch.
-The birth of children and the move to Blanco into a new house called "Hanging Tree Ranch". Her daughter Winifred shows signs of mental illness and later spends most of her life in an institution. Rebekah Baines Johnson becomes her best friend, and Laura becomes involved in local politics. She meets Teddy Roosevelt when he purchases from Peter the horses that charge up San Juan Hill.
- Peter kills a man on a cattle drive where a belligerent man driving an automobile causes a stampede. Peter acquires a life-long hatred of cars. Laura had wanted Peter to become Governor of Texas, but this incident kills any chance he might have had.
- Laura's sister Maggie is killed while racing down a mountain in an automobile when Laura is attacked by mad dogs. Laura is haunted by her sister's death for a while.
-Becoming friends with Colonel Edward Mandell House who was a mover and shaker in local politics as well as the nomination of Woodrow Wilson. He also became a powerful advisor to the President.
- Peter loses all of his investments on a rail trip to Fort Bliss army post in El Paso with 400 pedigreed horses. This was a time when Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Pasqual Orozco roamed the borders. The train is derailed and all the horses either die or need to be killed because of fatal injuries. Peter is never the same again. Laura must take over and run a boarding house in San Marcos to make ends meet.
- The second half of the book slides into the early years of Lyndon B. Johnson's childhood; his and Wilton's college days including their part in establishing the White Stars, a group that later helps him in his campaigns; his emergence into politics; and his marriage to Lady Bird. The flyleaf says "Wilton and Lyndon are weaned together on the milk of their mothers' political aspirations".
- Some of the political events include the suffrage campaign, the Wilson administration, the 1928 Democratic Convention, and the inauguration of LBJ. At 92, Laura plans a campaign in her head to become president in 1972.
The book is interspersed with excerpts from Laura's unpublished autobiography. There are also many black and white photos, a Texas Hill Country map, a foreword titled "The Search for the Story", and a section titled "Identification of Characters". This last is a big help because there are many, many characters. The afterward indicates that Laura left an old cardboard box labeled, "For my Janice when I'm gone. In the box were her wedding ring, her old Olivetti typewriter, and all of her notes for the Hill Country manuscript." Laura's dream was to make a difference and to become involved in politics; and after reading this book, she succeeded with strength and determination. A great and fascinating read.
-Indian raids of Apaches and Comanches when Laura was 7 years old. Laura's mother (Little Mattie) and brothers must fend off and outsmart an Indian attack by Carnoviste, the Comanche Indian chief; Black Cato; and Herman Lehmann, a captured white boy who grew up Indian.
- Several years later, Laura has secret meetings with Herman Lehmann down by Eager Mule Creek. which turns from friendship to love. She convinces him that he must become "white" again and come home. The murder of their neighbors, the Cathertons, enrages Laura's father who is convinced Herman killed them and who builds a posse to capture and hang Herman.
- Laura and Herman's frequent visits to the Glasscock Circus when it wintered on the Blanco River each year. Herman's failed attempt to become "white" again.
- Laura's courtship and marriage to Peter Woods. His dream is to breed and train the finest horses in Texas. Laura's dream for Peter is for him to have a future in politics and be a leader in the community.
-Laura spends a year at a remote ranch by herself in order to establish residency to satisfy the requirements of the Land Alienation Act and expand their holdings. The only person nearby is an armed, sick, and demented trapper who leaves offerings of stinky uncured animal pelts on her porch.
-The birth of children and the move to Blanco into a new house called "Hanging Tree Ranch". Her daughter Winifred shows signs of mental illness and later spends most of her life in an institution. Rebekah Baines Johnson becomes her best friend, and Laura becomes involved in local politics. She meets Teddy Roosevelt when he purchases from Peter the horses that charge up San Juan Hill.
- Peter kills a man on a cattle drive where a belligerent man driving an automobile causes a stampede. Peter acquires a life-long hatred of cars. Laura had wanted Peter to become Governor of Texas, but this incident kills any chance he might have had.
- Laura's sister Maggie is killed while racing down a mountain in an automobile when Laura is attacked by mad dogs. Laura is haunted by her sister's death for a while.
-Becoming friends with Colonel Edward Mandell House who was a mover and shaker in local politics as well as the nomination of Woodrow Wilson. He also became a powerful advisor to the President.
- Peter loses all of his investments on a rail trip to Fort Bliss army post in El Paso with 400 pedigreed horses. This was a time when Pancho Villa, Emiliano Zapata, and Pasqual Orozco roamed the borders. The train is derailed and all the horses either die or need to be killed because of fatal injuries. Peter is never the same again. Laura must take over and run a boarding house in San Marcos to make ends meet.
- The second half of the book slides into the early years of Lyndon B. Johnson's childhood; his and Wilton's college days including their part in establishing the White Stars, a group that later helps him in his campaigns; his emergence into politics; and his marriage to Lady Bird. The flyleaf says "Wilton and Lyndon are weaned together on the milk of their mothers' political aspirations".
- Some of the political events include the suffrage campaign, the Wilson administration, the 1928 Democratic Convention, and the inauguration of LBJ. At 92, Laura plans a campaign in her head to become president in 1972.
The book is interspersed with excerpts from Laura's unpublished autobiography. There are also many black and white photos, a Texas Hill Country map, a foreword titled "The Search for the Story", and a section titled "Identification of Characters". This last is a big help because there are many, many characters. The afterward indicates that Laura left an old cardboard box labeled, "For my Janice when I'm gone. In the box were her wedding ring, her old Olivetti typewriter, and all of her notes for the Hill Country manuscript." Laura's dream was to make a difference and to become involved in politics; and after reading this book, she succeeded with strength and determination. A great and fascinating read.
February 3, 2019
Hill Country tells a fascinating story based on the life of a truly extraordinary woman, whose 96 years took her from a childhood when Apaches and Comanches were still scalping whites in central Texas, to the satisfaction of seeing dear family friend LBJ become president of the United States. Well-written historical fiction that is well worth reading.
February 8, 2018
One of my favorite books. I actually reading it for a second time. I love the all the central TX references.
June 1, 2023
Hill Country is an historical novel based on the real life of Laura Woods, the author’s grandmother. Laura Woods was born in 1876, the centennial year of the United States, just eleven years after the end of the Civil War. Born in the Hill Country of Texas (just west of Austin,) Laura experienced Indian raids, lynchings, an abusive father, a train wreck, and financial disaster. And that was just the start of her life.
When she turned 70, she bought a typewriter and decided to compose her autobiography. By the time she died, some of her story was typed out. Other parts were written in a diary. Other memories were jotted on used envelopes, scraps of paper, and notebooks.
When Laura died, her granddaughter wanted to finish the autobiography. She approached the story with a sense that her grandmother was delightfully eccentric, outlandish, and entertaining. As she read more of what her grandmother had written, Janice Windle began to see more of pain, courage, creativity, grit, risk, luck, and love. In order to convey the deeper side of her grandmother, she decided to write a novel rather than a straight biography.
Laura Woods left carbon copies of her correspondence to many people: including presidents, generals, inventors, religious evangelists, and entertainers. She felt it both her right and her duty to tell those in power how to run things.
Laura’s best friend was Rebekah Johnson, mother of President Lyndon Johnson. Laura knew him intimately and the Woods family and the Johnson family were always close. Laura was still alive when Johnson ascended into the presidency upon John Kennedy’s assassination.
The novel includes anecdotes from all the times I’ve noted above. We do not always know what is historical and what is fiction, and I wish the author would have told us.
But it’s more likely the author herself isn’t clear. Family lore almost always takes poetic license. But no matter. While the truth is often stranger than fiction, it is also the case that fiction is sometimes more truthful than “just the facts.”
Windle gives us the “truth” about her grandmother. In this novel, we see the woman’s heart, her savvy, her imagination, her aspirations, her rough edges, her confusions, and her unspeakable pain. We also see how she grew strong and grew in shaping just the right kind of love—a unique love that she customized for each person in her life.
We also get a true picture of the Hill Country, of the post-Civil war Texas, of danger in the old west, of making due during the Depression, of family heartache.
And we get a true picture of Lyndon Johnson. Much has been written about the man, with more to come. The best historical presentation of him so far is Robert Caro’s five-volume biography. But even the best historian can’t capture the entire truth of a person. We need this novel by Janice Windle to help us notice the gaps in the story and give us some truth the scholars miss.
Thanks to my friend Minerva for the recommendation.
When she turned 70, she bought a typewriter and decided to compose her autobiography. By the time she died, some of her story was typed out. Other parts were written in a diary. Other memories were jotted on used envelopes, scraps of paper, and notebooks.
When Laura died, her granddaughter wanted to finish the autobiography. She approached the story with a sense that her grandmother was delightfully eccentric, outlandish, and entertaining. As she read more of what her grandmother had written, Janice Windle began to see more of pain, courage, creativity, grit, risk, luck, and love. In order to convey the deeper side of her grandmother, she decided to write a novel rather than a straight biography.
Laura Woods left carbon copies of her correspondence to many people: including presidents, generals, inventors, religious evangelists, and entertainers. She felt it both her right and her duty to tell those in power how to run things.
Laura’s best friend was Rebekah Johnson, mother of President Lyndon Johnson. Laura knew him intimately and the Woods family and the Johnson family were always close. Laura was still alive when Johnson ascended into the presidency upon John Kennedy’s assassination.
The novel includes anecdotes from all the times I’ve noted above. We do not always know what is historical and what is fiction, and I wish the author would have told us.
But it’s more likely the author herself isn’t clear. Family lore almost always takes poetic license. But no matter. While the truth is often stranger than fiction, it is also the case that fiction is sometimes more truthful than “just the facts.”
Windle gives us the “truth” about her grandmother. In this novel, we see the woman’s heart, her savvy, her imagination, her aspirations, her rough edges, her confusions, and her unspeakable pain. We also see how she grew strong and grew in shaping just the right kind of love—a unique love that she customized for each person in her life.
We also get a true picture of the Hill Country, of the post-Civil war Texas, of danger in the old west, of making due during the Depression, of family heartache.
And we get a true picture of Lyndon Johnson. Much has been written about the man, with more to come. The best historical presentation of him so far is Robert Caro’s five-volume biography. But even the best historian can’t capture the entire truth of a person. We need this novel by Janice Windle to help us notice the gaps in the story and give us some truth the scholars miss.
Thanks to my friend Minerva for the recommendation.
August 7, 2023
Well worth reading for anyone from Texas, especially with connections to the Hill Country. While much is fictionalized, the novel is developed from notes and journals left by her grandmother and firmly grounded in actual Texas history.
The story begins in 1877 and spans the life of Laura Hoge Woods, beginning with her early childhood growing up in the wilds of Central Texas, during a time when renegade Apaches and Comanches stole horses and murdered entire families. Laura lives through a century of changes and is a force of change, herself, despite being a woman in a man's world. It was fascinating to read about her close ties to the family of Lyndon Baines Johnson and the various roles she played in his rise to the presidency.
I have to say the first three-quarters of the book were much more engaging than the last several chapters, which were mainly about politics and the Johnsons. It was also sad to see the strength of this vibrant woman fade as she aged. It seemed she died wanting to accomplish so much more. Thankfully, her life story was preserved and could be recreated by her granddaughter in this true-to-life novel.
The story begins in 1877 and spans the life of Laura Hoge Woods, beginning with her early childhood growing up in the wilds of Central Texas, during a time when renegade Apaches and Comanches stole horses and murdered entire families. Laura lives through a century of changes and is a force of change, herself, despite being a woman in a man's world. It was fascinating to read about her close ties to the family of Lyndon Baines Johnson and the various roles she played in his rise to the presidency.
I have to say the first three-quarters of the book were much more engaging than the last several chapters, which were mainly about politics and the Johnsons. It was also sad to see the strength of this vibrant woman fade as she aged. It seemed she died wanting to accomplish so much more. Thankfully, her life story was preserved and could be recreated by her granddaughter in this true-to-life novel.
January 12, 2022
I LOVED this book! A sweeping story of Laura Hoge Woods, told by her grand daughter, Janice Woods Windle. Not being from Texas, I really enjoyed learning so much of the history of the Hill Country, starting around the turn of the century. Laura Hoge Woods was a very close friend of the mother of LBJ, Rebekah Baines Johnson.
The imagery of the countryside was beautiful. The time period took us through horses, Indians, cars, airplanes, and finally politics.
Amazing story of 2 strong women (Laura and Rebekah) who fought for women's rights in a man's world.
I loved how the story of LBJ evolved from the time he was born until he became president.
Excellent read!!
The imagery of the countryside was beautiful. The time period took us through horses, Indians, cars, airplanes, and finally politics.
Amazing story of 2 strong women (Laura and Rebekah) who fought for women's rights in a man's world.
I loved how the story of LBJ evolved from the time he was born until he became president.
Excellent read!!
April 29, 2022
This is a book that begs to be read, and then read again. A must-read for Central Texans, but I would recommend this for anyone looking for a great (based on a true) story! Currently, this is probably in my top ten favorite books of all time. I came upon it years ago in my first book club and plan to introduce it to my current book club so I can enjoy it again.
June 1, 2023
Living in the Texas hill country, near LBJ's hometown, made this a fun read as I knew all the locations written about! And some longtime ancestral names from the region popped up throughout. A very interesting read.
October 17, 2023
Very good.
July 10, 2024
This book, beginning to end, was a page turner. The setting is beautiful Texas hill country. Time period runs from the Native American days to Lyndon Johnson ‘s presidency. It’s told as a true story written from a grandmothers diary along with local lore. Loved it.
November 7, 2024
Solid 4 stars for the first 2/3's of this book. I didn't care for the last part of this book.
July 28, 2020
I have lived in Texas for nearly five years and enjoy reading historical novels set in the Lone Star State since it is a fun way to learn more about about Texas history. Hill Country is a sprawling novel that is based on the author's paternal grandmother, Laura Hoge Woods. When Mrs. Woods died in 1966, she left a manuscript of her autobiography for Janice to finish and publish. Decades later, Janice has followed real facts closely, while also adding some of her own imagination. Laura was born in 1870, a time when the Comanches and Apaches roamed Texas, kidnapping children and murdering families, seeking revenge for the homesteaders who stole their land. She has a terrifying near-death experience at the age of seven. She lived her whole live in the dry yet beautiful Texas Hill Country: she grew up in a small homestead in Blanco, where she helped her family run their farm. Then she married a man named Peter Woods and helped him with his large horse farm and soon became a mother. Sounds like a pretty conventional life of a Hill Country woman, yet amidst the grueling farm life she also had an adventurous life. She was incredible political, spreading support throughout nearby counties for Democratic candidates of both Texas legislature as well as presidential candidates. She met Presidents Theodore Roosevelt (who bought horses from her husband for his Rough Riders, the famous cowboy cavalry) and Woodrow Wilson during their visits to the Hill Country, and her best friend's son (who also happened to be her son's best friend) was none other than Lyndon B. Johnson. She survived a dangerous train voyage across Texas with four-hundred of their finest horses where they were attacked by Mexican revolutionaries. She helped promote women's right to vote in Texas with a brilliant, albeit kinda sketchy blackmailing scheme of top Austin political officials who had disreputable secrets they wanted to be kept under wraps in exchange for voting for the suffrage law. She led a remarkable, ambitious life, had enormous influence on political officials (she wrote regularly to LBJ while he was in office), and was a hard-working woman all of her life. There was a lot to admire in such a woman. But she also seemed impulsive and prideful, always convinced her way was best. She was often meddling and twisting things to go her way (especially in the life of her son, who she tried to push into politics and definitely fit the "helicopter mom" stereotype) and I would even say she was sometimes manipulative. It was all for her family's best interest and she did have a lot of discernment and wisdom, but I don't think her means always justify the ends. Her contentious relationship with her daughter, who spiraled into serious mental illness, was really sad and difficult to read since I felt like she could have been there for her daughter when she needed her on so many occasions rather than running around to political rallies. But, who am I to judge? I struggled with some of her mothering choices, but they were good opportunities for reflection. Laura Hoge Woods was controversial, outspoken, and full of grit amidst the hard life of the rugged Texas Hill Country homestead life. I enjoyed reading about various towns in the Hill Country that I have visited, since I live less than an hour from a lot of the Hill Country and enjoyed all of the historical and presidential tidbits that accompanied her life story.
Rating: PG to PG-13 (sexual content)
Rating: PG to PG-13 (sexual content)
February 13, 2012
I probably actually loved this book 5-stars worth but I have recently adopted my mom's system of awarding all 5 to only books I would read again. (This is not as strict as it sounds--I love re-reads. :) The reason I could never re-read this book is that I just finished it and am thoroughly depressed about mortality. Even as a child I recognized that books that ran through an entire lifetime made me so sad. To get emotionally attached to a group of characters and then have to watch them change from children to adults and on to old-age in the span of an afternoon and a few hundred pages is just a little too much for this sentimental mortal who tends to try to hold on a little too tightly to fleeting moments. But to more emotionally stable folks I highly recommend this rewarding glimpse into an extraordinary family who, really, represent our nation--especially the West--who we are and where we've been.
February 7, 2011
Janice Woods Windle is a masterful story teller. This book is a companion to "True Women" and both could be considered historical biographies as they tell the stories of her female ancestors - how they came to Texas, the hardships of being pioneers including Indian raids, the effects of the Civil war, etc. In "Hill Country" the main character is the author's grandmother, a survivor against many a crisis and hardship, a mentally ill daughter and in short, life in general. She dreams of her husband becoming a politician. When she realizes that is impossible she refocuses and wants to make a difference in the world somehow herself. She and Rebekah Baines Johnson (LBJ's mother) become life-long friends molding their sons (Wilton and LBJ) by their political ambitions. It's a fascinating story woven amongst the historical events of Texas.
April 19, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and I don't think I would have found it had it not been our book club pick for this month. It's historical fiction and my only negetive would be that I wish I knew what was the history and what was the fiction. There is also some great black and white photos of the characters portayed that I really enjoyed seeing. I did wish there was a picture of Herman Lehmann, but I suppose that would have been totally against his character to have taken a photo for history's sake. This a a wonderful account of love, politics and the amazing devotion of some real life "Steel Magnolias" revolving around the best character in the story...TEXAS. I closed this book and shed a little tear because I would have loved to have shared it with my grandma, who died last year, but I suppose another one of the reason I enjoyed this book so much was because it reminded me of her.
March 5, 2012
This is a sequel of True Women but does well as a stand alone. The author's grandmother, Laura Hoge Woods grew up in the Hill Country of Texas through a time of Texas coming of age. Written using Laura's unpublished memoir, we experience the barely settled hill country, the introduction of automobiles, women's suffrage, the Depression, wars (including a confrontation with Mexican banditos)and presidential politics. Laura was a close friend of Rebecca Baines Johnson, the two having sons the same age (yes, that LBJ).
This made for fascinating reading for a history lover and descendant of early Texas settlers.
This made for fascinating reading for a history lover and descendant of early Texas settlers.
November 18, 2007
My father gave this book to me, in hardcover, when I was in high school. It reminds me of him, minus the yellow-dog Democrat part, but that is only because he was raised by a depression baby who never agreed with the New Deal. But, the book paints a beautiful and realistic portrait of the Texas of my childhood, or more accurately the Texas of my father's childhood. But, not much of the things covered in the book changed from the 60s to the 80s.
May 13, 2011
Argh!!! This one was for bookclub and because I missed the bookclub, I never got around to finishing it. I just couldn't make myself pick up again. It wasn't a terrible book, it just didn't interest me. I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters. The name dropping annoyed me. And after reading several other (and better written) books about strong independent women in the southwest during the same time period, I couldn't bear to read another book about it.
March 25, 2008
A friend lent me this book and it went on FOREVER! it started out great, but then halfway through I felt like I was struggling through mud just to get to the end. I finally just quite reading it with a few chapters left. It's the one and only book that I have ever NOT finished. This would have been better broken into two books.
Read this if you have forever and a day with nothing to do.
Read this if you have forever and a day with nothing to do.
July 29, 2008
After living in the great state of Texas for over 8 years, I became enthralled with Texas history. Both the real and embellished kind! This author's two books tell the story of the great WOMEN of Texas and the incredible role they played in settling the territory, working the land, fighting off intruders and campaigning for the right to vote.
September 12, 2022
This book is amazing--especially if you live around the Texas Hill Country. After reading this book, Ken and I took the LBJ Ranch tour! I read this in 2002, and it has really stayed with me. It's listed as a novel, but it's more of an unofficial biography. I am thinking of buying a copy and reading it again.
November 2, 2020
If you are from the Hill Country of Texas, this is a must read for you. Following the life of Windle's grandmother and those figures around her is a treat, especially if you knew many of the families mentioned in her book. There's a lot of history in this book and she certainly tells the stories of many of the early settlers of surrounding towns. Bravo.
May 27, 2008
Started off great. Wonderful story about a strong woman pioneering in Texas in the 1800's/ Turns into a story about LBJ that is rather tedious. Main characters die without any mention, just contextual comments. In the end, I couldn't wait for the old biddy to die already.
May 31, 2008
Loved it!!!!! Living in Texas it was fun to pick up on the locations and know exactly where this book referenced. It made me want to do some research and see if one iota of this is true....I am sure parts are and others are embellished more than a little.
January 9, 2012
Once again, interesting to read about real people. I had planned to visit Blanco when I was touring Texas Hill Country back in September 2010. I ended up bypassing it, thinking "maybe next time". I'm sorry I did now that Blanco was devastated by the horrible wildfires this past year.
April 20, 2014
By the author of True Women, Hill Country offers a detailed description of the Texas Hill Country from the Texas Revolution until 1965. The author's family were close to the Baines-Johnson family. It tells the early life of Lyndon Baines Johnson.
April 15, 2016
Historic novel written about a girl growing up in desolate western Texas during the late 1800's through 1960's. Another page turner. Thoroughly enjoyable. Goes into the politics of Texas, and Indian attacks of the settlers. Wish this book was not done so soon. Strong, courageous, compassionate.
October 21, 2007
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale. If you like to read about Texas go for it!
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