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Bold Women of the 20th Century #4
The Image Seeker
The Dust Bowl 1936 — Battered and near death, Billie Bassett gazes up at the stars from the door of a boxcar wondering if she can go on. Yet, in spite of the violence and privation riding the rails, she endures and becomes one of the finest photojournalists in the nation.
From humble beginnings in an Indian boarding school in Minnesota to high society in New York City, Billie experiences it all. Her pioneering camera work attracts the attention of a group of elite New York journalists who catapult Billie to fame and fortune, but it comes at a price. Her talents are required in the war effort, and she must travel undercover, deep into Nazi Germany as a courier. By her side is the charismatic and acclaimed journalist, Max Rothman, Billie’s harshest critic and dearest friend. But Max does not reveal to her his own clandestine and dangerous agenda.
The Image Seeker is a tale of lost youth, strength, and rebirth set in one of our country’s most tragic eras, The Great Depression and in the cauldron of hatred that was Nazi Germany.
From humble beginnings in an Indian boarding school in Minnesota to high society in New York City, Billie experiences it all. Her pioneering camera work attracts the attention of a group of elite New York journalists who catapult Billie to fame and fortune, but it comes at a price. Her talents are required in the war effort, and she must travel undercover, deep into Nazi Germany as a courier. By her side is the charismatic and acclaimed journalist, Max Rothman, Billie’s harshest critic and dearest friend. But Max does not reveal to her his own clandestine and dangerous agenda.
The Image Seeker is a tale of lost youth, strength, and rebirth set in one of our country’s most tragic eras, The Great Depression and in the cauldron of hatred that was Nazi Germany.
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 20, 2019
1380 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
April 20, 2021
DNF
This sounded like an interesting book, however, I didn’t get very far before there were hints about a male teacher “doing things” to his older girl students at a Catholic boarding school and no one believed the girls. Then the main character, Billie, prays to be able to get away before the teacher does “things” to her and goes to the chapel to pray and starts hearing a lady’s voice telling her what to do. I stopped reading when the school was burning down and all girls Billie's age who were locked into their room at night, died in the fire except Billie, and the “lady” in her head was telling her to run away. Perhaps it got better, but I didn’t want to keep reading to find out.
This sounded like an interesting book, however, I didn’t get very far before there were hints about a male teacher “doing things” to his older girl students at a Catholic boarding school and no one believed the girls. Then the main character, Billie, prays to be able to get away before the teacher does “things” to her and goes to the chapel to pray and starts hearing a lady’s voice telling her what to do. I stopped reading when the school was burning down and all girls Billie's age who were locked into their room at night, died in the fire except Billie, and the “lady” in her head was telling her to run away. Perhaps it got better, but I didn’t want to keep reading to find out.
February 22, 2020
Amanda Hughes has written a story of an Indian child living on a reservation in Minnesota who follows her dream of photography to become a successful photojournalist with the New York Times! She wrote a book about the hard times during the depression, including the danger and excitement of riding the rails, romance, espionage, returning to her roots to perfect the use of Code Talking using her childhood language, covering the 1936 Olympics and escaping Nazi Germany. This was such a good read.
July 18, 2019
In a nutshell, this was one of the best books I've ever read. It is a slice of life, and a thick slice at that, that opened my eyes to a fascinating period of American and international history. After a long and difficult journey, the main character becomes one of America's first female photojournalists. Successfully competing in a man's world, and highly creative, she is finally recognized as being among the finest news photographers in the nation. The setting is one of our country’s most tragic eras--the Great Depression--and later moves to Europe where our heroine finds herself fighting the hatred of Nazi Germany while trying to let herself truly love for the first time in her life. This novel was both heart-breaking and heart-warming. Both tragically poignant and wonderfully inspiring. A great novel about a bold and brave woman by a bold and courageous author.
September 18, 2022
While I found the beginning of this book to be a bit stiff, I think because in places there was just a lot of narration and not as much dialogue, the rest of the book more than made up for that. While I have read a lot of WWII novels, I had never encountered the Berlin Olympics before and this added a great exclamation to the story. But the crux of the story was riding the rails and this was fabulous. I have never read a book about hobos, and this was fascinating. The native American connection was also insightful and so the was so much to digest in this book, I never wanted it to end! Bravo, Ms Hughes!
May 8, 2020
I love historical novels that enlighten me to things I hadn't heard about, or about which I knew very little. In this case, I learned about separating Native American children from their family and reservations to force them to become more Americanized on many levels. I learned about hobos riding the rails during the Depression era. I learned a little bit more about how intelligence information was relayed during WWII (not saying more than that to avoid a spoiler problem). And so, I really enjoyed the story of Native American child Wilhelmina "Billie" Bassett and the stories of her life up until she is settled into adulthood after a world of adventures. I am often reminded of stories my father used to tell about the hard life experienced by himself and everyone he knew during the Depression and always admired that people were willing to do whatever it took to survive and to provide for their loved ones. Billie is just such a character and I really appreciated her courage and determination to survive against some really tough odds. Thaks (again) to Bookbub, I have found a new author whose work I really enjoy. I'll be off in search of more of her work.
June 5, 2020
The Image Maker
There are so many good things to be said about Amanda Hughes and her books about strong women. Billie, The Image Maker, is but one such story. I believe every woman should read these books. All I can say is “Wonderful Ms Hughes, thank you!”.
There are so many good things to be said about Amanda Hughes and her books about strong women. Billie, The Image Maker, is but one such story. I believe every woman should read these books. All I can say is “Wonderful Ms Hughes, thank you!”.
March 10, 2020
This book had me captivated from page 1. It was such an interesting story, and even though it's fiction, the things that Billie went through as an American Indian child living through the Depression and as a young adult being part of the war effort during WWII, were things real people did experience during those time periods. It wasn't an easy life and there were many harrowing experiences but in the end Billie created the life of which she always dreamed. As an author, I love reading about strong female characters, and Billie is the definition of feminine strength and grace.
January 14, 2021
The beginning of the book of the hard scrap life of the main character was kind of amazing to read and imagine. Her delight with photography started her then on her 1st career path. The transformation of her life when she gave up the rails was almost unbelievable. Her ability blithe the camera and her photojournalism gave her quite a life. And then things just got more deeply connecting her young life with her adult life and with the skills she had developed.
I would recommend this book but I sort of think the end of the book does the story a disservice
I would recommend this book but I sort of think the end of the book does the story a disservice
December 17, 2020
No character development
The first paragraph grabbed me and I was excited, but that evaporated quickly— by page 2. When any character comes or goes, you feel no emotion as you don’t come to know any of the characters. If they had killed off the main character I would have been fine with it. Cold, rambling, dispassionate, sometimes even disconnected. But I finished it, so two stars for that.
The first paragraph grabbed me and I was excited, but that evaporated quickly— by page 2. When any character comes or goes, you feel no emotion as you don’t come to know any of the characters. If they had killed off the main character I would have been fine with it. Cold, rambling, dispassionate, sometimes even disconnected. But I finished it, so two stars for that.
August 14, 2023
This is the first time I've read anything by Amanda Hughes and I really enjoyed it!
Wilhelmina Bassett (usually known as Billie) is a Chippewa attending a boarding school run by nuns who felt it their duty to turn these Indians (I know the politically correct word is Native Americans, but this book took in the 20's and 30's.) as closely as possible into their white counterparts.
Billie is one of the brightest students and editor of the school newspaper. When she is allowed to interview the photographer who takes the first ever school picture, she falls in love with photography.
For the first time in six years she is allowed to spend the summer at her home on lake Mille Lacs. The next summer, as usual, she is sent to work at a farm and helps with the housework for Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, German immigrants who speak little English and have taught Billie German. Billie tells them she wishes to be a photographer and they give her a camera. Back at school Billie was chosen to be the "special helper" of Mr. Withers, the math teacher, who abused one girl each year. She decided to run away, but couldn't figure out how to do it. One night the school building caught on fire and she saved herself by jumping from a fourth floor window onto the roof of a lower section and then lowering herself to the ground.
From there Billie ran away and started riding the rails. She is befriended by two men who are riding the rails, both of them Indians and together they form a "family" of sorts, looking out for each other and trying to get jobs for a day or two. Later she joins a traveling carnival and is able to learn more about photography. She ends up with a lover in New York and when it turns out that he is married, she becomes a police photographer.
Not long after she becomes photographer for the New York Times and is sent to Berlin for the '34 Olympics.
The first part of the book seemed to be written for children or teens, but later on, when she is in Berlin it is definitely a book that adults will enjoy.
Wilhelmina Bassett (usually known as Billie) is a Chippewa attending a boarding school run by nuns who felt it their duty to turn these Indians (I know the politically correct word is Native Americans, but this book took in the 20's and 30's.) as closely as possible into their white counterparts.
Billie is one of the brightest students and editor of the school newspaper. When she is allowed to interview the photographer who takes the first ever school picture, she falls in love with photography.
For the first time in six years she is allowed to spend the summer at her home on lake Mille Lacs. The next summer, as usual, she is sent to work at a farm and helps with the housework for Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, German immigrants who speak little English and have taught Billie German. Billie tells them she wishes to be a photographer and they give her a camera. Back at school Billie was chosen to be the "special helper" of Mr. Withers, the math teacher, who abused one girl each year. She decided to run away, but couldn't figure out how to do it. One night the school building caught on fire and she saved herself by jumping from a fourth floor window onto the roof of a lower section and then lowering herself to the ground.
From there Billie ran away and started riding the rails. She is befriended by two men who are riding the rails, both of them Indians and together they form a "family" of sorts, looking out for each other and trying to get jobs for a day or two. Later she joins a traveling carnival and is able to learn more about photography. She ends up with a lover in New York and when it turns out that he is married, she becomes a police photographer.
Not long after she becomes photographer for the New York Times and is sent to Berlin for the '34 Olympics.
The first part of the book seemed to be written for children or teens, but later on, when she is in Berlin it is definitely a book that adults will enjoy.
December 19, 2024
The Image Seeker is a very moving story of a young part-American Indian girl growing up and the experiences that she went through, from her schooling in a reservation school to riding the rails, living with hoboes, and enduring tragedy and loss. Through the people she encountered and her skills as a photographer, she eventually was hired by the government and sent to Germany to send messages back to the government about what was happening in Germany using coding Indian language. Conditions there were becoming more and more strict and Jews and others were having their freedoms taken away as World War II became a reality.
The story provides insights into the way Indians were treated, how hard it was for people to live during the thirties, life living on the rails and having no home, little to no food, and having to fight every day for basic needs.
I recommend the book for its insights into everyday life and the pain, suffering, and heartache that people went through before and during World War II. It is a testament to the will to survive despite circumstances, and of following your hopes and dreams no matter how distant they may seem.
My only real negative to the book is the sexual activity and references that occur later in the story, and I wish had not been included. I don't feel it added to the story and took away from what the story was all about.
The story provides insights into the way Indians were treated, how hard it was for people to live during the thirties, life living on the rails and having no home, little to no food, and having to fight every day for basic needs.
I recommend the book for its insights into everyday life and the pain, suffering, and heartache that people went through before and during World War II. It is a testament to the will to survive despite circumstances, and of following your hopes and dreams no matter how distant they may seem.
My only real negative to the book is the sexual activity and references that occur later in the story, and I wish had not been included. I don't feel it added to the story and took away from what the story was all about.
September 25, 2023
The Dust Bowl 1936-Battered and near death, Billie Bassett gazes up at the stars from the door of a boxcar wondering if she can go on. Yet, despite the violence and privation riding the rails, she endures and becomes one of the finest photojournalists in the nation. From humble beginnings in an Indian boarding school in Minnesota to high society in New York City, Billie experiences it all. Her pioneering camera work attracts the attention of a group of elite New York journalists who catapult Billie to fame and fortune, but it comes at a price. Her talents are required in the war effort, and she must travel undercover, deep into Nazi Germany as a courier. By her side is the charismatic and acclaimed journalist, Max Rothman, Billie's harshest critic and dearest friend. But Max does not reveal to her his own clandestine and dangerous agenda. The Image Seeker is a tale of lost youth, strength, and rebirth set in one of our country's most tragic eras, The Great Depression and the cauldron of hatred that was Nazi Germany.
March 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I know it says it is book 3, however, I have never read any of the other ones and found it stood alone without any problem. The book follows a Native American girl throughout her life in the 1920's and beyond. She grows up in a residential school and later goes on to lead a very exciting, albeit harrowing life through WW2.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say it brought to light aspects of life that I had never thought about and talked about the Native American contributions in both world wars that I knew little about.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me just say it brought to light aspects of life that I had never thought about and talked about the Native American contributions in both world wars that I knew little about.
April 8, 2020
This was one of the best books I have read in awhile. It took place during The Great Depression with vivid accounts of the poverty and desperation of the people. Although they suffered with unemployment and extreme hunger, what this book captured was the unassuming strength and fortitude of the American people. They did what they had to do to survive.
Amanda Hughes writes about people living on the fringes of society in lesser known periods of history. I am looking forward to reading more books written by her.
Amanda Hughes writes about people living on the fringes of society in lesser known periods of history. I am looking forward to reading more books written by her.
October 31, 2020
Fascinating Read
Could not stop reading. Stayed up all night 🌙 to finish book. Whether you are woman or man, you will learn about the great depression and what people were doing to survive American Indian life for children school age and as adults, overcoming obstacles to rise above them to become successful as a photographer/journalist sent to Nazi Germany during the Olympics and surviving the Socialist government there and in America. If you want to talk a walk down history's road, please pick this book .
Could not stop reading. Stayed up all night 🌙 to finish book. Whether you are woman or man, you will learn about the great depression and what people were doing to survive American Indian life for children school age and as adults, overcoming obstacles to rise above them to become successful as a photographer/journalist sent to Nazi Germany during the Olympics and surviving the Socialist government there and in America. If you want to talk a walk down history's road, please pick this book .
July 16, 2022
Really enjoyed this book about a real person who grew up in the early 20th century. The main character was a young Native American who was forced into going to boarding school by the government. It was US policy to take native children and “Americanize” them virtually wiping out the language and the families. This young girl escapes the school when a fire burns the school down and she makes a new family by riding the rails. She joins a circus and then later becomes a well known photographer. Her name was a Billie Bassett.
October 28, 2023
What a great book! Not only did it offer interesting characters, it also offered up a time and place that many people don't know about. This story covered many key notes of history: Native Americans being sent to schools to learn to behave as white, the Great Depression, the rise of the Nazi party, and the 1936 Berlin Olympics. We see everything through Billie's eyes. She is strong, feisty, and talented. Following along on her story was a joy. The author brought you along and made you feel everything. I truly enjoyed everything about this story.
5 stars.
5 stars.
March 20, 2020
I read to the finish but with the increasing realization that the book was an amalgam of events that may have happened to women during the period covered. But it just seems improbable that it all happened to one woman. The writing was very straightforward. The characters seemed like stereotypes. I appreciate when author’s intent to portray stein women who overcame obstacle. But a more realistic approach would have been more believable.
October 31, 2020
Yowza this is one wide spanning book. It takes a slice of Americana which rarely spoken or
written about namely rail riding and spins it into detailed enriching experience for the reader.
Then jump into some time spent with a carny and even then one moves on to New York for
another experience! Terrific background, interesting characters and plots galore...what more could
a reader ask for!!!
written about namely rail riding and spins it into detailed enriching experience for the reader.
Then jump into some time spent with a carny and even then one moves on to New York for
another experience! Terrific background, interesting characters and plots galore...what more could
a reader ask for!!!
November 2, 2020
I loved everything about this book and actually learned things about some subjects. I liked the American Indian aspect of Billie’s life- her mandatory time at the boarding school. And then her time riding the rails and the life of the hobos. Her subsequent jobs with the carnival and as a photographer for the police dept. Her career with the newspaper and her time as a photographer and code talker during the 1936 Olympics were especially interesting.
March 21, 2021
this is a good read set during the great depression when people were desperate to live in a safe place and find a way to keep their families together and fed. the female protagonist wants to be a renowned photographer! not exactly the career of choice for a woman fighting to get out of the dust bowl. this is the second in the series. i read the first book as well, and plan to continue with the next in the series.
April 28, 2020
I rounded this up to a 3. It is an interesting story but kind of fluffy as to approach. Lots of history but probably too much crammed into one story. Hard to believe all of this could be a part of one persons life. It was an easy read though. I learned a few things. I prefer a book where it is more in depth and covering a historical event rather than so many.
June 7, 2020
What a disappointment. The historical elements, setting, and plot twists COULD HAVE been inspirational. Unfortunately, the sophomoric sentence structure, rushed transitions, grammatical errors ("guten morgan" - seriously?!), immature romance scenes (I literally rolled my eyes) and corny ending ruined grand possibilities.
February 14, 2021
Joan rated it
Interesting book set during the depression and later pre World War 2 Germany and the 1936 Olympics. Gives a fascinating peak into the lives of those who rode the railroad box cars from town to town,state to state a life I never knew about. The heroine overcomes many accessories to become a prominent photojournalist.
Interesting book set during the depression and later pre World War 2 Germany and the 1936 Olympics. Gives a fascinating peak into the lives of those who rode the railroad box cars from town to town,state to state a life I never knew about. The heroine overcomes many accessories to become a prominent photojournalist.
March 29, 2021
Spell binding
So many twists and turns in the life of one young Native American. She lives a life of deprivation and adventure. She is a survivor and lives to experience some of her dreams. Even those lead her into new and risky situations. She is strong. You will love reading about Billie.
So many twists and turns in the life of one young Native American. She lives a life of deprivation and adventure. She is a survivor and lives to experience some of her dreams. Even those lead her into new and risky situations. She is strong. You will love reading about Billie.
June 23, 2021
Life!
Beautiful story and well written. The characters are people you pull for throughout the book, and you share their trouble and their joy as they stumble through the trials of tough living. This book is a reminder of just how unstable times were during this era, high in the U.S. and in Germany. It's also a reminder of what a Depression is like.
Beautiful story and well written. The characters are people you pull for throughout the book, and you share their trouble and their joy as they stumble through the trials of tough living. This book is a reminder of just how unstable times were during this era, high in the U.S. and in Germany. It's also a reminder of what a Depression is like.
November 19, 2021
WOW - Want a travel through and see USA close up? Live Life that gets down to reality and the American spirit, dedication, and true images of support. What a wonderful Historic fictional story which is probably more true then make believe. With ups and downs, fun and hazards, you will enjoy taking the trip.
January 13, 2022
Snapshots of life
The native American history was quite interesting, as were the tales of riding the rails. The contrast between life for someone with a good job and the rest of the people was in definite contrast. Billie's talent with a camera was extraordinary, even though no pictures we're included.
The native American history was quite interesting, as were the tales of riding the rails. The contrast between life for someone with a good job and the rest of the people was in definite contrast. Billie's talent with a camera was extraordinary, even though no pictures we're included.
Read
May 3, 2022Engaging
The prejudices toward native people led to taking children from their families and trying to erase their culture. Prejudices toward the poor led to hobos being brutalized by some railroad police. The Superbowl created hardships and for some exposed their inner strength. The rise of Nazis allowed for prejudices to flourish and humanity to suffer.
The prejudices toward native people led to taking children from their families and trying to erase their culture. Prejudices toward the poor led to hobos being brutalized by some railroad police. The Superbowl created hardships and for some exposed their inner strength. The rise of Nazis allowed for prejudices to flourish and humanity to suffer.
April 29, 2020
What I loved about this book was the author's willingness to clarify the background of the characters on revealing their past. You learned about the individuals and felt you were part of their adventure, their story.
The plot, storyline, is well thought out and excellent. Amanda Hughes digs deep into history to reveal a challenging time in the history of the word and the circumstances for the characters.
This book kept me reading well into the night!
The plot, storyline, is well thought out and excellent. Amanda Hughes digs deep into history to reveal a challenging time in the history of the word and the circumstances for the characters.
This book kept me reading well into the night!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews