Heroines of the Early West

U.S. Landmark Books #91

by Nancy Wilson Ross

This books recounts the struggles and triumphs of some amazing women who lived about one hundred years ago and who played an important part in the development of our country

Genres: History, Nonfiction

182 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1960

Reviews

[Leona Atkinson]

This easy to read book tells of the lives of five women who helped found our country. If you love history you will enjoy reading this book. You will read about Narcissa Whitman, Abigail Scott Duniway, Mary Walker, Eliza Spalding,Sacajawea, and others. All "Heroines of the Early West" that we can be grateful for today.

[Elie · Rating 4 out of 5]

nonfiction/biography
This is my daughter's rating. (12yrs)

[TE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting compilation of biographical accounts of some of the first pioneer women to travel many miles to found new lives out west, some willingly, others, perhaps not so much. It focuses on five main figures: Sacajawea, the wife of a guide hired by Louis and Clark, who ended up being far more valuable and helpful to the expedition than her husband (although the information in the book about her is quite dated - for example, she did not live to old age, as the most up-to-date accounts state that she died of disease in her mid-20s), Narcissa Whitman, a missionary killed in an infamous massacre, Mary Walker, another missionary, Sister Mary Loyola and five sister nuns, and suffragette Abigail Scott.

It was a good overview, but used some of the most problematic language I've encountered in any of the Landmark books I've read so far (it just irks me no end when books refer to Native woman as a "squar" or "squaw," which is a very derogatory term I won't use here). I know it's a product of its time, but adult readers should definitely discuss some of the terms used with younger readers, and explain that our understanding of things changes over time. For example, it's pretty rife with descriptions of filthy, savage Indians (who, in actuality, were frequently far cleaner than their pioneer European counterparts, as many traditionally bathed daily, regardless of the weather, whereas many Europeans washed their hair a few times a year) and narratives victimizing the Europeans who settled on native lands, without addressing some of the reasons for the actions of the native peoples. There are also some other glaring inaccuracies made this somewhat bothersome to read.

Although it certainly wasn't one of my favorites, I appreciate the effort to acquaint young readers with the travails of the pioneers who set out on a long and arduous journey to an unknown land and uncertain future, often with the intent (even if a misguided one) to bring religion to the native inhabitants, which they genuinely believed was a lifesaving work. Many also saw the writing on the wall for indigenous peoples, simply that the world was changing and that things would be better for them if they adapted to the rapidly-developing new reality, that of settlement and agriculture as opposed to the traditional ways of life they had always enjoyed. As the book notes, especially with the account of the Whitman massacre, this met with mixed results, but pioneer missionaries did often believe that they were doing good, even if they were blind to the fact that they were at least facilitators of the change that spelled the end of traditional ways of life for the inhabitants of these far-flung regions who had previously been insulated from the devastation which had befallen native peoples in the East.

It also brought an appreciation of the hardships endured by our ancestors. My great-great grandparents, born in Tennessee and Georgia, were one of the first pioneering families who established homesteads in their area in southern Oklahoma, which was still known as Indian territory when they arrived. My great-great grandfather mortgaged his property to build a stone church in the town, which still stands, and the young family lived in a tent for some time when they first arrived until they could get settled and build a house, where they raised two children. They lost one in infancy, whose grave we only discovered recently.

This book, and others (which are far more accurate and up-to-date) are still a good reminder that if we have multiple generations of ancestors who were born in the US, some of our forebearers faced adversity not unlike that described here, and it's always a good reminder to appreciate the blessings we now have bestowed by the struggles of those who came before us.

[Toni Wyatt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. While the stories of the women in this book are interesting, and in some cases, enlightening, the author cannot help herself when it comes to indigenous people. She calls them lazy, stupid (because they don’t speak English, yet the English speakers didn’t know the indigenous languages), savage, and dirty.

It is the height of arrogance to tell the story of some women who wanted to go west to ‘help’ (what a joke) native people, but then trash talk them. Yes, that really helps with the point of charity and goodwill.

2 stars.

[Caleb Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

2 on weight. 1 on logic. 2 on style. 2 on research. 1.5 on affections. This book was uneven, but I was astounded that Christianity sent white women across the Rockies as missionaries before any other reason did. The story of the Whitmans was inspiring. (Beware of finding other books on them, it appears that the 1619 has really revised and destroyed and their story). I would recommend reading chapters 3 & 4, as they were inspiring.

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sacagawea didn't live "more than 100 years of age". Most accounts have her dying of fever at about age 25. I imagine the telling of the Whitman massacre resulted in more than a few nightmares for some younger readers.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a brief historical overview, a few women are discussed in depth - Sacajawea (Indian guide), Narcissa Whitman (missionary), Mary Walker (missionary), Sister Mary Loyola and her 5 sister nuns (Catholics), and Abigail Scott (suffragette).