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Calamity Jane: How The West Began
Gold, gunfire and horseplay make for a dangerous and exciting mix for Jane, a newcomer to frontier Montana. The neglect of her parents gets her nicknamed “Calamity,” but her fearless nature and skill at the gambling table makes her the toast of the town. At the same time, robbery and murder escalate, resulting in the loss of a friend - and Jane knows who leads the gang. But can she rally the town and bring the killers to justice? FINALIST, 2016 WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS FINALIST, 2016 ROSSETTI BOOK AWARDS "The details of life in the 1860's Montana mining town are rich, and the quick-moving tale is well-situated in the tradition of 20th century frontier town novels, such as Jack Schaefer's Shane." - Kirkus Reviews
172 pages, Paperback
Published January 3, 2018
About the author
Bryan Ney
3 books9 followersBryan Ney does most of his traveling virtually these days, researching his latest novel about James Beckwourth from the comfort of his home in Malibu. Most historical fiction authors are given a skeleton by the historical record which they flesh out. Bryan compares his works to being given a photo album by the historical record, from which he makes a movie.
Bryan also likes to write about himself in the third person.
Bryan also likes to write about himself in the third person.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 15, 2017
I received a copy of Calamity Jane: How the West Began from the author for review Consideration. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
I’m definitely behind on reading and reviewing this one. Once I picked it up though, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really love historical fiction and as a history lover, I enjoyed this story to some extent. Although, I think I liked the idea of it far more than the novel itself, I really did like the concept of this book.
It begins in 1860, When fifteen year old Martha Jane Canary arrived in Montana with her younger sister. Calamity Jane is alone in a small town with her small sister and her neglectful parents. Soon enough she is well known around town. Bandits have been killing and hurting members of the community. Calamity is pretty sure she knows who is behind these acts.
It had an interesting storyline but it started of very slow and drags on a lot. I struggled with this one, I found that the book wasn’t really holding my attention and I struggled to push through. But once the pacing issues were resolved, the story started to take flight.
If you know anything about American history then the name Calamity Jane has surfaced. I think I even learned about her in school and I have the 1953 Western Musical loosely based on the life of Calamity Jane. This book gives a little look at what her life could have been like in the beginning. Not much is known of that time that Calamity and her family are in the Goldfields of Montana and this book gives you a little guess of what her life may have been like.
However, Martha Jane Canary didn’t get the nickname for another 15 years or so, her parents were long dead before her and her siblings moved to Montana in 1868, and those years were spent working various jobs. Little facts, but when using an actual historical figure would have added to the enjoyment of this book, if correct. Ignore the factual errors and you get a clever historical fiction.
I did love Calamity Jane’s character. She’s tough and brave, but has a heart of gold. She befriends people no one else ever would. She finds work in a place you would never guess, instead of going to school. Her character is very well described and she also develops throughout the story. But I didn’t really form an emotional connection with any of the characters, I found the characters rather flat.
My favourite component of this was definitely the writing. The writing style flows really well. I really enjoyed the writing style.
Read more at Drink Coffee and Read Books
I’m definitely behind on reading and reviewing this one. Once I picked it up though, I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really love historical fiction and as a history lover, I enjoyed this story to some extent. Although, I think I liked the idea of it far more than the novel itself, I really did like the concept of this book.
It begins in 1860, When fifteen year old Martha Jane Canary arrived in Montana with her younger sister. Calamity Jane is alone in a small town with her small sister and her neglectful parents. Soon enough she is well known around town. Bandits have been killing and hurting members of the community. Calamity is pretty sure she knows who is behind these acts.
It had an interesting storyline but it started of very slow and drags on a lot. I struggled with this one, I found that the book wasn’t really holding my attention and I struggled to push through. But once the pacing issues were resolved, the story started to take flight.
If you know anything about American history then the name Calamity Jane has surfaced. I think I even learned about her in school and I have the 1953 Western Musical loosely based on the life of Calamity Jane. This book gives a little look at what her life could have been like in the beginning. Not much is known of that time that Calamity and her family are in the Goldfields of Montana and this book gives you a little guess of what her life may have been like.
However, Martha Jane Canary didn’t get the nickname for another 15 years or so, her parents were long dead before her and her siblings moved to Montana in 1868, and those years were spent working various jobs. Little facts, but when using an actual historical figure would have added to the enjoyment of this book, if correct. Ignore the factual errors and you get a clever historical fiction.
I did love Calamity Jane’s character. She’s tough and brave, but has a heart of gold. She befriends people no one else ever would. She finds work in a place you would never guess, instead of going to school. Her character is very well described and she also develops throughout the story. But I didn’t really form an emotional connection with any of the characters, I found the characters rather flat.
My favourite component of this was definitely the writing. The writing style flows really well. I really enjoyed the writing style.
Read more at Drink Coffee and Read Books
November 6, 2016
If you know anything about American history then the name Calamity Jane has surfaced. I think I even learned about her in school. Her memoirs give a lot of light on her many adventures, but this book gives a little look at what her life could have been like in the beginning. Not much is known of that time that Calamity and her family are in the Goldfields of Montana and this book gives you a little guess of what her life may have been like.
Calamity Jane is alone in a small town with her small sister and her neglectful parents. Shes bitter and decides to live up to her nickname Calamity. Soon enough shes well known around town. Bandits have been killing and hurting members of the community. Calamity is pretty sure she knows who is behind these acts. When a good friend is killed she uses her knowledge to help find the culprits and bring them to justice.
As a history lover I fell in love with this book. The story is filled with a plethora of adventure and vividly depicts the realism of life back during the Civil War era. Calamity Jane's character is one that I loved. Shes a girl, but shes not afraid to be one of the boys. Shes rough and tough, but has a heart of gold. Honestly, when reading this book I had to do a little research. I've heard the name and some stories, but I didn't know much. This book was a work of fiction, but I can see it as truth. This book was written well. It had history, drama, and tons of action. It definitely kept me reading....Stormi
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Calamity Jane is alone in a small town with her small sister and her neglectful parents. Shes bitter and decides to live up to her nickname Calamity. Soon enough shes well known around town. Bandits have been killing and hurting members of the community. Calamity is pretty sure she knows who is behind these acts. When a good friend is killed she uses her knowledge to help find the culprits and bring them to justice.
As a history lover I fell in love with this book. The story is filled with a plethora of adventure and vividly depicts the realism of life back during the Civil War era. Calamity Jane's character is one that I loved. Shes a girl, but shes not afraid to be one of the boys. Shes rough and tough, but has a heart of gold. Honestly, when reading this book I had to do a little research. I've heard the name and some stories, but I didn't know much. This book was a work of fiction, but I can see it as truth. This book was written well. It had history, drama, and tons of action. It definitely kept me reading....Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
March 12, 2025
I don’t know why I even bothered finishing this book. It felt like it was written for a teenage audience.
January 13, 2017
Starting in 1860, the then fifteen year old Martha Jane Canary arrived in Montana with her younger siblings in tow. Their life is a rough and tumble one, full of threats from the native populations disturbed by the western encroachment, the army’s expansion, the often questionable element that arrives to search for gold, and various characters who have left from east of the Mississippi after the outbreak of war. Starting a bit slowly, we see the angry young Martha take on every challenge, unbowed and will full will, and gains a reputation as well as friends from this fearlessness.
With roving bandits terrorizing the community, when a friend is killed, Martha jumps into search mode, rallying friends and community together to find and stop the culprits, even resorting to vigilante style tactics until the culprits are brought to justice. Quickly the story grows feet and runs off in a wonderful portrayal of the ‘possible’ background of the woman who would travel with Wild Bill Hickock, fight against the Indian threats, and gain a place in Western American folklore.
The writing was solid, and once the pacing issues were resolved, the story started to take flight. Intriguing and well-placed moments of history added to the story, as descriptions did make the story feel of its time. However, a quick search of Martha Jane Canary will reveal that it would be another 15 years or so before the nickname Calamity became her moniker, her parents were long dead before she moved herself and her siblings to Montana in 1868, and those years were spent working various jobs to maintain her household. Little moments, but things that when using an actual historical figure are easy enough to get right. Ignore the factual errors and you get a clever historic fiction that doesn’t rely on the persona of Calamity Jane, but on the development and story about the young Martha.
I received an eBook copy of the title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
With roving bandits terrorizing the community, when a friend is killed, Martha jumps into search mode, rallying friends and community together to find and stop the culprits, even resorting to vigilante style tactics until the culprits are brought to justice. Quickly the story grows feet and runs off in a wonderful portrayal of the ‘possible’ background of the woman who would travel with Wild Bill Hickock, fight against the Indian threats, and gain a place in Western American folklore.
The writing was solid, and once the pacing issues were resolved, the story started to take flight. Intriguing and well-placed moments of history added to the story, as descriptions did make the story feel of its time. However, a quick search of Martha Jane Canary will reveal that it would be another 15 years or so before the nickname Calamity became her moniker, her parents were long dead before she moved herself and her siblings to Montana in 1868, and those years were spent working various jobs to maintain her household. Little moments, but things that when using an actual historical figure are easy enough to get right. Ignore the factual errors and you get a clever historic fiction that doesn’t rely on the persona of Calamity Jane, but on the development and story about the young Martha.
I received an eBook copy of the title from the author for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
March 28, 2017
MY THOUGHTS
Most of us have heard about Calamity Jane but this is the first time I've read anything about her. Sh was so much a part of American History. It's hard to imagine what her life was like with a mother who had to make money by prostitution and a father, who failed at farming, thus, making a living at gambling. Neither was very prosperous. They lived in the worse of conditions. With her parents, most of the time gone, Jane was in charge of her little sister. While she visits town, she becomes well known. She earns the name Calamity Jane and she is determined to go out on her own. The town is a bad place, killing and beating up on the citizens. But Calamity has an idea who is responsible. We get a wide varied adventures of Calamity and some of her friends. Calamity is a girl, although with the way she dresses and her hair cut she isn't afraid to be one of the boys. She's far from fragile and she can stand with any man. Even though she is tough she is gentle in her heart. Even though this was a work of fiction, many things depict the way things were back in 1860, the civil war era. Known as Calamity Jane, her real name was Martha Jane Canary and wasn't known for 15 years as Calamity Jane. I found it fascinating that Calamity found a way to make money instead of attending school. The suspense slowly builds until the thieves and robbers were discovered with the help of Calamity. I can't say enough about this book. A great read and you won't want to put it down. Calamity Jane helped develop the land and towns and helped to bring justice to all. This is one book, if you like historical reads that you won't want to miss.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Word Slinger Publicity and voluntarily decided to review it.
Most of us have heard about Calamity Jane but this is the first time I've read anything about her. Sh was so much a part of American History. It's hard to imagine what her life was like with a mother who had to make money by prostitution and a father, who failed at farming, thus, making a living at gambling. Neither was very prosperous. They lived in the worse of conditions. With her parents, most of the time gone, Jane was in charge of her little sister. While she visits town, she becomes well known. She earns the name Calamity Jane and she is determined to go out on her own. The town is a bad place, killing and beating up on the citizens. But Calamity has an idea who is responsible. We get a wide varied adventures of Calamity and some of her friends. Calamity is a girl, although with the way she dresses and her hair cut she isn't afraid to be one of the boys. She's far from fragile and she can stand with any man. Even though she is tough she is gentle in her heart. Even though this was a work of fiction, many things depict the way things were back in 1860, the civil war era. Known as Calamity Jane, her real name was Martha Jane Canary and wasn't known for 15 years as Calamity Jane. I found it fascinating that Calamity found a way to make money instead of attending school. The suspense slowly builds until the thieves and robbers were discovered with the help of Calamity. I can't say enough about this book. A great read and you won't want to put it down. Calamity Jane helped develop the land and towns and helped to bring justice to all. This is one book, if you like historical reads that you won't want to miss.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Word Slinger Publicity and voluntarily decided to review it.
October 27, 2016
This is one of the very best historical fictions that I have ever read! It is as balzy and wild as Calamity Jane was, herself. It is full of action and intrigue. It happens like some fireworks set off one at a time (each story within a story) until the climax, when the dynamite goes off! Ka-boom! It is so exciting!
It begins when a fifteen-year-old Martha Jane Canary takes her little sister begging for food at night while her parents were out. This is not a children's book by any means. She is fearless and feisty You read how she got her nickname.
She befriends people no one else ever would. She finds work in a place you would never guess, instead of going to school. She took things into her own hands when her parents couldn't. I don't dare give any details away. It would take all of the fun and suspense out of such a grand book! You just have to read this book. You will be so glad you did.
Mr. Bryan Ney and Word Slinger gave me an e-ARC of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.
It begins when a fifteen-year-old Martha Jane Canary takes her little sister begging for food at night while her parents were out. This is not a children's book by any means. She is fearless and feisty You read how she got her nickname.
She befriends people no one else ever would. She finds work in a place you would never guess, instead of going to school. She took things into her own hands when her parents couldn't. I don't dare give any details away. It would take all of the fun and suspense out of such a grand book! You just have to read this book. You will be so glad you did.
Mr. Bryan Ney and Word Slinger gave me an e-ARC of this book to read in exchange for my honest review.
November 12, 2016
I'm definitely behind on reading and reviewing this one. Back in July I responded through Wordslinger Publicity to read a copy of this. In August I was sent a finished copy of the book. I didn't get around to reading it however until this past November. Once I picked it up though, I was very pleased, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I really do love historical fiction when it makes me more interested in a certain time period or historical figure that I'd not really thought a lot about in the past.
You can read my full review on Lisa Loves Literature
You can read my full review on Lisa Loves Literature
May 21, 2020
Many books, both fiction and nonfiction, have been written about Calamity Jane and I have read many of them. Many movies and TV shows have been made about her and I have seen many of those too. Calamity Jane was one of the more colorful western figures that I rode the trail with as I was growing up down on the farm. I loved those books and movies, but where they all fell short was in the telling of how Calamity Jane got her start as Calamity. Calamity Jane: How the West Began by Bryan Ney fills in those gaps for us. Calamity Jane: How the West Began is historical fiction at its best.
Although all the characters in this story were once actual people and all the events that take place in this story happened they didn’t happen in the order presented in this novel. Ney explains all this at the end of the book as part of its “Back Matter”. Till they could have happened the way they were presented in the story, Ney’s manipulation of the actual sequence of events can be forgiven because this is a work of fiction and its historical fiction at its best.
Although all the characters in this story were once actual people and all the events that take place in this story happened they didn’t happen in the order presented in this novel. Ney explains all this at the end of the book as part of its “Back Matter”. Till they could have happened the way they were presented in the story, Ney’s manipulation of the actual sequence of events can be forgiven because this is a work of fiction and its historical fiction at its best.
January 20, 2021
A Fun Alternate History
((4.5 stars actual rating))
The main reason I took a half point off this book is that the Kindle edition I read is a bit awkwardly formatted, with some strange paragraph breaks and repeating words.
That said, the story itself was a fun read, with largely well-developed characters and a pleasantly diverse cast. The plot was fun and engaging, and the author did a great job detailing a bit of the "average" life in the old west mining towns. Definitely recommended, a great way to pass a couple of hours reading a "what might've been" of one of the Wild West's most charismatic figures.
((4.5 stars actual rating))
The main reason I took a half point off this book is that the Kindle edition I read is a bit awkwardly formatted, with some strange paragraph breaks and repeating words.
That said, the story itself was a fun read, with largely well-developed characters and a pleasantly diverse cast. The plot was fun and engaging, and the author did a great job detailing a bit of the "average" life in the old west mining towns. Definitely recommended, a great way to pass a couple of hours reading a "what might've been" of one of the Wild West's most charismatic figures.
July 29, 2018
Yee Haw!!!
This is my first story by Bryan Ney, but far from my last. The book was mistaken by me to be nonfiction when I bought it. I started out disappointed, but quickly changed my mind. Mr Ney explains how he developed his tale and in my opinion he did an outstanding job and I enjoyed it very much. Anyone who likes western fiction or nonfiction for that matter, will enjoy this book. Thank you sir and I can't wait until the next one.
This is my first story by Bryan Ney, but far from my last. The book was mistaken by me to be nonfiction when I bought it. I started out disappointed, but quickly changed my mind. Mr Ney explains how he developed his tale and in my opinion he did an outstanding job and I enjoyed it very much. Anyone who likes western fiction or nonfiction for that matter, will enjoy this book. Thank you sir and I can't wait until the next one.
March 1, 2022
I love Calamity Jane, and I loved this book!
It was fun to spend a little time with a young Calamity Jane. She's a little different than the image that I usually have in mind of her, but I really enjoyed the character. I'd read more by this author, especially if they were books telling more about her life and adventures.
It was fun to spend a little time with a young Calamity Jane. She's a little different than the image that I usually have in mind of her, but I really enjoyed the character. I'd read more by this author, especially if they were books telling more about her life and adventures.
August 28, 2018
Calamity Jane
This was an interesting story. It is always fun to read historical novels. This was well written and an interesting account of Calamity Jane's early life. Would like to read about the rest of her interesting life.
This was an interesting story. It is always fun to read historical novels. This was well written and an interesting account of Calamity Jane's early life. Would like to read about the rest of her interesting life.
December 7, 2018
Possible early life
This was a story that presents a good likeness of Calamity Jane's formation as a wild strong woman. She was different as a young person and that difference was the basis for her future.
This was a story that presents a good likeness of Calamity Jane's formation as a wild strong woman. She was different as a young person and that difference was the basis for her future.
July 12, 2019
Very informative
I never knew anything about the real life of Calamity Jane. I suppose I thought she was mostly legend.
This is a good retelling, not of her complete life story, but some highlights that make you curious for more details. Read this one...quick and fun.
I never knew anything about the real life of Calamity Jane. I suppose I thought she was mostly legend.
This is a good retelling, not of her complete life story, but some highlights that make you curious for more details. Read this one...quick and fun.
June 21, 2021
A great mixing of stories which makes a fast plot. The boom towns of the west during the Civil War, with a teenaged Calamity Jane as the protagonist.
Thoroughly an exciting read. If you like Westerns this one is a treat.
Highly recommend.
Thoroughly an exciting read. If you like Westerns this one is a treat.
Highly recommend.
September 17, 2018
* Read for the '2018 PopSugar Reading Challenge' task: A novel based on a real person
December 28, 2019
Interesting and enjoyable read
I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't know much about Calamity Jane's younger years. She certainly led an amazing life
I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't know much about Calamity Jane's younger years. She certainly led an amazing life
September 25, 2025
Great Read, Too Short
Nicely written I enjoyed every bit of it. I only wish it would have continued into the rest of Jane’s life. I definitely recommend it though 😀👍
Nicely written I enjoyed every bit of it. I only wish it would have continued into the rest of Jane’s life. I definitely recommend it though 😀👍
September 16, 2017
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Calamity Jane: How the West Began
Author: Bryan Ney
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 22
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
20 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
15 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
The other 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
21 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘It was so much for to read this book. I must admit, I have never read a western before. Calamity is a wonderful character, and I loved the adventure we went on. I’m now going to try a John Wayne film!’ Girl, aged 16
‘I liked the 1860s Montanta town setting best. It’s really well described.’ Boy, aged 14
‘This is like a coming-of-age story but set in the Wild West. Calamity’s family is in a mess so to help them out, she turns her hand to all sorts of things. She must also battle outlaws, and, for me, that was the most interesting part of the novel. It’s interesting how almost every story e.g. a thriller or a mystery, can be set in a spaceship, on a ship or even, in the Wild West. It is the setting which helps this novel to stand out. Oh, and the cover is amazing too.’ Girl, aged 16
‘This has a strong female hero, a twisting plot and a fascinating setting. A fantastic YA novel.’ Girl, aged 15
‘The author should write a set of books about Calamity Jane. They’d be really popular.’ Boy, aged 14
‘Sick of dragons and wizards? Try a richly-written, fast-moving western. A FINALIST and highly recommended to YA.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
Title: Calamity Jane: How the West Began
Author: Bryan Ney
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 22
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 22 readers:
22 would read another book by this author.
20 thought the cover was good or excellent.
22 felt it was easy to follow.
22 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
15 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
The other 7 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
21 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
22 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘It was so much for to read this book. I must admit, I have never read a western before. Calamity is a wonderful character, and I loved the adventure we went on. I’m now going to try a John Wayne film!’ Girl, aged 16
‘I liked the 1860s Montanta town setting best. It’s really well described.’ Boy, aged 14
‘This is like a coming-of-age story but set in the Wild West. Calamity’s family is in a mess so to help them out, she turns her hand to all sorts of things. She must also battle outlaws, and, for me, that was the most interesting part of the novel. It’s interesting how almost every story e.g. a thriller or a mystery, can be set in a spaceship, on a ship or even, in the Wild West. It is the setting which helps this novel to stand out. Oh, and the cover is amazing too.’ Girl, aged 16
‘This has a strong female hero, a twisting plot and a fascinating setting. A fantastic YA novel.’ Girl, aged 15
‘The author should write a set of books about Calamity Jane. They’d be really popular.’ Boy, aged 14
‘Sick of dragons and wizards? Try a richly-written, fast-moving western. A FINALIST and highly recommended to YA.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
November 8, 2016
Michael Tappenden
A fascinating story, simply told, based on the early life of Martha Canary aka Calamity Jane. The author manages to skilfully weave historical facts and details into the story without them appearing onerous or obvious together with the language and colloquialisms of the time. Although always interesting, the pace at the beginning is rather sedate despite the harshness of life, but this soon picks up with the intrigue and excitement of terrorising bandits and a famous murder trial. Although much is recognisable from the many westerns produced by Hollywood, it is of course intriguing that this account is based on fact and that this is a social history of that period of American history. The style and touch is light and would probably suit a readership of young adults. I was fascinated enough to do further research into the life of Martha Canary (there is much more on the author's own web site)
This book stops when she is still a very young woman. Maybe a sequel of her life as an adult (which I know is equally absorbing?)
A fascinating story, simply told, based on the early life of Martha Canary aka Calamity Jane. The author manages to skilfully weave historical facts and details into the story without them appearing onerous or obvious together with the language and colloquialisms of the time. Although always interesting, the pace at the beginning is rather sedate despite the harshness of life, but this soon picks up with the intrigue and excitement of terrorising bandits and a famous murder trial. Although much is recognisable from the many westerns produced by Hollywood, it is of course intriguing that this account is based on fact and that this is a social history of that period of American history. The style and touch is light and would probably suit a readership of young adults. I was fascinated enough to do further research into the life of Martha Canary (there is much more on the author's own web site)
This book stops when she is still a very young woman. Maybe a sequel of her life as an adult (which I know is equally absorbing?)
December 21, 2016
I love a good historical fiction, and this one is definitely a good one :) It is a fascinating story about not only one, but two historical characters (Martha Canary aka Calamity Jane and Henry Plummer). There are others who really existed, but these two are the most important. I loved how the author managed to depict the the harshness and pleasures of life in a goldfield town. His style is flawless and easy to read. The pace is just right in my opinion, not too fast or slow. The reader is given time to get to know the characters and the place. The story feels true, even though Calamity and Plummer never met in real life. I loved Calamity, she is a brave, golden hearted young lady who steps up against injustice. Her character is very well described and she also develops throughout the story. I can tell that there is a lot of work behind this novel, and I think it was quite worth it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes western stories or historical fiction.
*I have recieved this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
*I have recieved this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
June 27, 2017
With the help of a ghostwriter Calamity Jane once published an autobiography of sorts which she sold in later years to support herself. However much truth this thin booklet may have held, it did not include any background on her formative years. Calamity Jane, How the West Began, by Bryan Ney, is the author’s attempt to speculate upon the relatively unknown earlier years of this well-known historical figure. This is Jane’s story, from when she was a young girl, doing her best to help raise her little sister, Lana. With a father who gambled and a mother who turned to prostitution, she did the best she could with the life she was given. Presented as a spirited tomboy with a compassionate heart, this intriguing story of a young Martha Jane Canary will be well-received by history buffs. Recommended for home and school libraries, Calamity Jane, How the West Began has earned the Literary Classics Seal of Approval.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews