Customer Reviews

Dark Hills to Westward: The Saga of Jenny Wiley

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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.

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.

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!

I found this book to be a moving account of what the pioneers had to face moving westward. I found it also gave account to how the indians reacted to being put off their land. To anyone interested in reading about these times in American history, I would recommend this book.

The story of Jenny Wiley has interested me for many years. Kentucky was called the Warrior's Path because Indians traveled through the mountains as a pathway, while on a War Path. The terrible things that happened to Jenny and her family were horrific. Women living on the frontier in those days were very tough, and knew life was fleeting. During the years we lived in Kentucky, we traveled to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky to the valley where Jenny Wiley was buried. It is truly a beautiful place, and you can look down in this small valley. Her story is inspiring, and I wish children of today understood what life was like in those early days. This is an excellent book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I am also one of the many direct descendants of Jenny and Thomas Wiley. I liked this book as fiction but not as a true history since it has more than one inaccuracy. Two of the most noticeable are Jenny's missing dream and the glossing over the violence of the very violent murder of her brother and five children. Both the dream and the murders are documented and are integral to her story. The removed and "softened" account of parts of her story damages this books historical accuracy.It may be hard to accept the painful and horrific things that have happened but if we soften or gloss over history just to make it more palatable, we change history. If a reader simply wants to acquaint his or herself with the story of this brave and resourceful pioneer woman, this book is a good place to start. If they are looking for a strictly historical account, look elsewhere.

Jenny Sellards Wiley is my 5th great grand aunt. This is an excellent book, especially for children. It is a tale of struggle and survival during the pioneer days.

Although i have only read the first three chapters of this book at the library i have found it extremly interresting. my grandma has informed me that jenny wiley is an ancestor of mine. after hearing this i thought i would chek it out. after reading very little i have learned so much and would love to read more. In other words im glad Harry M. Caudill worte this book. if other people read this book i know they will love it too.