Dark Hills to Westward: The Saga of Jenny Wiley [Hardcover]

Harry M. Caudill (Author), Anne F. Caudill (Designer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1994

A fictionalized account of Jenny Wiley's captivity and escape based on her own narrative. Thomas and Jenny Wiley had pioneered land on Walker's Creek in Bland County, Virginia. On October 1, 1789, while Thomas was away, a small band of Indians, seeking revenge for a recent defeat at the hands of white settlers, attacked the Wiley cabin and killed and scalped Jenny's three older children and her brother. Jenny, seven months pregnant, was taken captive along with her baby son, Adam.

Then began a nightmare flight through the wilderness into the dark Kentucky hills to westward. Jenny's only hope for survival was to keep pace with her captors. Her captivity and escape nearly a year later are vividly recounted in this book.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation (November 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945084455
• ISBN-13: 978-0945084457
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #441,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Caudill's story is similar to family lore, July 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Hills to Westward: The Saga of Jenny Wiley (Hardcover)

I am a descendant of Jenny Wiley from one of her children she had after she was returned home. This book is similar to many of the stories I've grown up hearing all my life. It brings to life the area where she lived. Although it is not a totally accurate account of what happened and Caudill seems to dismiss some of the extraordinary things that happened to her, such as her dream of how to escape, he does a good job of keeping the spirit of her self and her journey alive.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a excellent book about how Jenny Escape From the Indian, June 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Dark Hills to Westward: The Saga of Jenny Wiley (Hardcover)

I'm a decentant of Jenny Wiley.I've heard thestory about her,when I was a child growing up.I've also shared this book with my 4 childen.Who enjoyed it alot.They tell all there friends how famous & brave she was to escape from the Indians.I like to see more Kids read books like this.They sure would be suprise what people went through back in those days.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Read, May 4, 2007

By 

James E. Wiley "Jim Wiley" (Mason, Ohio) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Hills to Westward: The Saga of Jenny Wiley (Hardcover)

As a 3-Great Grandson of Jenny Wiley (Through her son, Hezekiah) this book is of course a great interest to me. It along with "White Squaw" and others tell a graphic story of pioneer life in the eastern U.S. mountains in the late 1700's. I am, of course, proud to be a direct descendant of this great pioneer woman.

I must note though, that I am quite disappointed in the editing done by the Jesse Stewart Society in this revised edition. Unfortunately, political correctness has "softened" the savagery of the Indians from what was originally published by Caudill. Other than that, and as was noted by a previous reviewer, Caudill's softening the impact of her supernatural encounter(s), this is an excellent read and I highly recommend it.

Also, if you find the original publication in a used book store, buy it!