Black Women of the Old West [Hardcover]

William Loren Katz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Black women were always part of America's westward expansion. Some escaped slavery to live with the Native Americans, while others traveled west after the Civil War to settle the new lands. They came as servants and as independent pioneers struggling to make a life in the wilderness. Brief text and extraordinary photos record many of the black women who went West to find a new life for themselves and their families.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up?Most students of American history have heard of the Dred Scott case, but the name of Harriet Scott, Dred's wife, is not so well known. Hers is one of the many fascinating histories presented here. Using primary sources and featuring dozens of black-and-white archival photographs and reproductions, Katz recounts stories of African American women who made the journey west and illuminates the times in which they lived and their reasons for going. Some women of color escaped west from slavery. Others sued for freedom after being taken there by their owners. Still others came as mail-order brides. Many black women flourished on the frontier, where they found more opportunities for education and better paying jobs. Katz presents a wealth of information on a subject virtually unexplored in children's literature. While Brandon Marie Miller's Buffalo Gals (Lerner, 1995) has a similar scope, this book goes into greater detail and covers more material.?Rebecca O'Connell, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 6^-9. Although black women were always part of the western expansion, they are virtually ignored in history books; Katz succeeds admirably in setting the record straight. Researching the period from the late eighteenth century to the early 1900s, he found women who were activists, farmers, true pioneers, army wives, gold hunters, mail order brides, black Indians, servants, and business owners in all areas of the West, from the early frontiers in Indiana and Ohio to later settlements in the Northwest, Southwest, and far North. From the slave Juliet to the eccentric Mary Fields, he cites their achievements and the difficult conditions they faced. Although the information provided for each is usually brief, the number of women he includes is impressive, as are the photographs and prints that illustrate nearly every page. This very readable book is likely to be an eye-opener for many readers; it will certainly be a worthwhile addition to classroom and library collections. Chris Sherman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689319444
• ISBN-13: 978-0689319440
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #946,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Women of the Old West, December 16, 2007

By 

J. Mckay "Singer of songs" (Ypsilanti, Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Women of the Old West (Hardcover)

This was a valuable read and a useful tool in presenting those parts of our history as a nation that do not make it into the history books. I recommend it. The beautiful portraits of the women just added to it's fascination. Give it as a gift to a junior high or high school library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courage and beauty of the black female, September 10, 2010

By 

P. Andersen "rpm00" (mayfield heights, ohio United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Women of the Old West (Hardcover)

This was a very interesting, short and insightful read.

The names of the famous or infamaous were not names I had heard of,yet I will remember them for years to come. The photo's are very attractive.I'm a fan of the west and vintage pics,clothing ect...
The book will make a good addition to any collection of american history,black history or the old west. enjoy!!.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Black Women existed in the West!, December 19, 2010

By 

Dame 'Dhana (LA CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Black Women of the Old West (Hardcover)

The Old West wasn't simply white cowboys fighting Indians. In a short 75 or so pages this book recovers the faces and stories of Black women in the West. Though they are not included in the history books we read in school, these women fought against racism, built communities and tried to make a better life for themselves and their children. All of the artifacts and pictures of these women, some whose names have been lost, is like recovering some hidden treasure- we see them in all moments: serious, smiling, laughing, nervous, and dignified. But always declaring their existence. This is a great little read- especially for the kiddies.