Rated 4.5
From Library
I learned about this book on Bookflurries, a weekly Diary/book chat written by my friend Connie on The Daily Kos.
Isabella L. Bird was a truly remarkable woman who traveled alone all over the world in the mid 1800's and described her adventures in a series of letters to her sister. Here is a link to Wikipedia you can follow to learn more about her. Isabella L. Bird
FROM LIBRARY SUMMARY: "In its simple and disarming style, it is a great piece of reporting on a rugged frontier."--San Francisco Chronicle "The book is a jewel case of keen perception, social analysis, and masterful description for this era."--Chicago Tribune In 1873 Isabella Bird embarked on a trip that called for the high level of stamina expected of an explorer or anthropologist. But the middle-aged Englishwoman who toured the Colorado Rockies on horseback--alone, for the most part--was neither of these. Painting an intimate portrait of the "Wild West," she wrote eloquently of flora and fauna, isolated settlers and assorted refugees from civilization, vigilance committees, lynchings, and the crude manners--yet gentle civility--among the men she encountered in the wilderness. A thoughtfully written, captivating narrative that provides a vibrant account of a bygone era and the people that forever changed the face of the American frontier.
1 comment:
Isabella Bird (Bishop)is, as you say, remarkable. I was directed to this book about a year ago, and because it was a lovely "slim hardcover edition", kept it for an anual trip to the Caribbean Sea.
When I returned the Isabella Bird bug hit and the pursuit has led me to her biography written by Anna M. Stoddart. Because all these books are no longer under copyright, you can obtain them on-line.
The people she encountered and the determination of spirit is a facinating journey.
Enjoy.
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