The Women

The Old West #23

by Joan Swallow Reiter

Text and illustrations present a portrait of the industrious women who helped settle the West.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, Historical, Westerns

240 pages, Leather Bound

First published January 1, 1978

Reviews

[Pat Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of the Time / Life series I have. The reading was quite good in this one. I don't know if the reason is that the subject matter was more interesting because of the unique struggles women had in the Old West or because it was written by a woman, an obviously superior source of producing written product. Some inspiring stories of very brave women against all odds succeeding, sometimes by themselves, or in spite of their men failing around them. Anyone interested in the Old West would have an interest in this.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always remember looking through these books as a child and remember how intresting I thought they looked. I even remember my dad reading them and how fully engrossed he would be in the contents. Now as an adult I'm glad I went back and decided to read these books. They've given me a new interest in the old west and no better place to start than with the women who made that push possible. This book does a great job covering some amazing women while still telling the story of many of the roles women played in this piece of history. From the women who were so amazingly selfless to ensure their family had a better way of life all the way through to the women who fought for those women to also have a better way of life- it's a great story!

[Dr. Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was sent this book by the library as a mistake when I ordered The Women by Kristin Hannah. I am a US historian and this book was historically accurate, but should have been titled The White Women because it applauded all aspects of dominance and colonization in Indian land. There was only one mention of a Native woman, cameoed in her transition to "white girl" attire with hat and coat. I did not enjoy the book, although I read every picture in it.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually these volumes about the Old West are a bit dry in how the information is presented or the chosen material has an agenda to present. This particular book presented by Time-Life Books with the text by Joan Reiter was both entertaining and informative and worthy of a fully attended read instead of a flip read. The included photographs illuminated the era in a manner that showed a liveliness not always presented—people were shown smiling and laughing instead of being staid and somber.

While the focus is on the women of the West, due regard is given to the men which provided a balanced portrait of this pivotal time period of American history.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Time-Life "The Old West" series features volumes on the usual suspects, such as gunfighters, pioneers, and scouts. An additional--and welcome--volume is "The Women."

This book traces the work of the women who were also pioneers, going west into unknown challenges to start farms, to work the land. Appropriately enough, the book begins by considering the contributions of Sacajawea, a Shoshone, to the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Other subjects covered: the role of women in raising families, the role of women in education and cultural activities, working women (whether seamstresses, laundresses, etc.), women professionals (doctors and lawyers), and women as Hell-raisers (Belle Starr, Calamity Jane, women as cowboys, and so on.

The book, in short, provides coverage of a sometimes neglected aspect of life in the Old West.