Customer Reviews

A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains (Economy Editions)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is one of the best known and most highly respected travel accounts of a foreigner to the western region of the United States during the 19th century. Isabella Bird, a spinster world traveler, upon returning to her native England from an excursion to Hawaii, decided to stop in America and make a three-month tour of the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado. In a series of letters written to her sister in England, Ms. Bird told in fascinating detail her experiences during this "tour."

Going by train from San Francisco to Cheyenne (except for a brief hiatus near Truckee Pass, which she traversed by horseback), she was in Fort Collins, Colorado, by September 10, 1873. Her travels took her to Denver, Colorado Springs, South Park, Boulder, and Estes Park, where she climbed Longs Peak. Her observations, whether about the people she encounters or the natural wonders all about her, are acute, objective, and highly personal. She will complain about the annoying insects in one letter and then calmly relate taking a tumble off her horse when surprised by a bear in another. She is astounded by the natural beauty of the region and never seems to get enough of it; she also believes, as the saying then went, that "there is no God west of the Missouri," and that the "almighty dollar is the true divinity" (these observations made while in Denver). She recognizes the (especially) English prejudice against all things American, and refuses to go along with it. What makes Ms. Bird's book so enduring is the direct though lighthearted tone she maintains: she is an astute observer but never gives the impression she's "studying" the people or places she sees. The book can be read often and will remain entertaining each time. It's a classic - in a good sense of that word. Highly recommended.

In 1873 a middle-aged Lady Bird, acklaimed horsewoman, spent the fall through winter travelling in the Rocky Mountains. As a 10 year resident of Colorado Springs and growing up riding, I was intrigued by her travels. What most people find amazing about this book are her very detailed and beautiful descriptions of what she saw. I have to agree, I did find myself wallowing within what she saw. Especially, since I have seen many of the places (in modern day) that she went. What I, myself, found truly interesting was how she describes in her rather off-hand, like it's mundane, way about the daily hardships she and the settlers had to endure. This isn't the old Grandpa had to walk 10 miles, up hill, in 10 feet of snow, in 60 below weather, both ways to school. It's a true representation of what "Grandpa" had to endure. It breeds a new-[t][/t]found respect for our ancestors and makes one wonder, "Could I endure it?".

This is one great book! Adventure - the wild times in 19th Century Colorado, and it's all told by one heck of a lady!
Men will enjoy the book, but it will be an inspiration to young women today!
I bought a copy years ago - lost it after some time. I HAD to buy another copy for my library! It's that good.
I bought a copy for my grand daughter who is 16... hoping it will inspire her to greater things in life.

Excellent book. I really enjoyed Isabella Birds' story about her travels in the Rocky Mountains during the 1800's. I will read and reread this book. She was a very hardy woman!

If anyone is interested in a truly fascinating and enjoyable book about Colorado (& the rocky mountains) in the 1870's then this book is a MUST! Isabella travels over 800 miles through Greeley, Fort Collins, Longmont, Denver, Colorado Springs, Fairplay, Georgetown, Boulder and Estes Park on foot & horseback. She spends most of her time in Estes Park which at the time only has about 4-5 structures and permanently house less that 15! Her recount of climbing Longs Peak is outstanding (although incomplete, due to some letter being lost) To read about the wildlife, views of the starts, and a very untamed Colorado excites the scenes and makes any mountain man (or woman) long for their home in the "highlands". If any men didn't want to read this book because of it's title (& I received plenty of grief & questioning of my masculinity) It's still absolutely fantastic. Stop reading my reveiw and GO BUY/ DOWNLOAD THIS BOOK. It's free on Apple Books & here on Amazon Kindle... seriously, what are waiting for. Download this book.

This is a 19th century travel tale, full of twists and turns and visceral details of how rough but adventurous life was in the old West. The narrator, Isabella Byrd, is a brilliant writer and seasoned traveler, and tells her story with wit and amazing insight. The character of Jim and their friendship is particularly exciting. I wholeheartedly recommend this story as a good read for anyone who is curious to know what it might have been like to explore the Rockies (and meet its citizens) in the mid or late 1800s. Byrd was a trailblazer, well known in her day as an intrepid Englishwoman who traveled the world and wrote about it, in journals and letters home to her sister. Some of this story is not for the squeamish, but all of it is well worth reading

a delightful recounting of an english woman traveling alone through the rocky mountains of colorado and the deep love she had with the volitale yet majestic mountains surrounding estes park.

Very absorbing and interesting account of a woman in her forties, riding by herself, 800 miles,
in the Rocky Mts.

For those of us who love outdoors Colorado, this is an essential for viewing our mountain playground through a historical lens. If you appreciate horses, her relationship with her pony is also of interest. This small, plucky Englishwoman ventured much and wrote well.

Such an amazing woman,What an amazing book, to think that she traveled all by herself in temperatures below zero with only her pony for company. What beautiful prose, its almost poetry. Ms. Bird has an amazing power of description. I have recommended this book to so many of my friends. I am now reading her book 'Among the Tibetans'. that's a joy too.
Spoil yourselves, get reading.