A Mile in Her Boots: Women Who Work in the Wild [Paperback]

Jennifer Bove (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2006

The stories in this remarkable collection detail the experiences of women who work in a variety of outdoor professions including smoke jumping, river running, professional falconry, and horse packing. A celebration of women making their way in the wild, the stories in these pages include rescuing sea turtles amidst a swarm of nude bathers, driving cattle across Texas, and tracking a pair of fugitive Montana mountain men. A Mile in Her Boots is a chance for readers to enjoy rough-hewn adventures with a diverse, welcoming group of wild women.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A delightful addition to the literature of women and wilderness." --Annick Smith, author of Homestead

From the Back Cover

Beyond the bounds of society's more common professions, women are tackling tests of courage and stamina. They're employed as pilots, park rangers, scientists, and smoke jumpers, and their work requires the guts to get up in the morning and face whatever whim Mother Nature has to offer. It's not about showing up the guys, the real challenge for these women is breaking ground within themselves because they love what they do. In this unique collection, editor Jennifer Bové introduces you to 28 professional outdoorswomen, each of whom extends her hand and welcomes you to explore the gritty details of her trade. Tighten up your boot laces and come along!

* Track a pair of fugitive Montana mountain men alongside Susan Marsh
* Fend off a deadly fer-de-lance and find the heart of field research with Lela Stanley in the jungles of Panama
* Fish for a little trouble with MaryJane Butters, one of the first female backcountry rangers with the U.S. Forest Service
* Rescue a nest of hatchling sea turtles with Judy Edwards amid a swarm of nude bathers on a Hawaiian beach
* And keep moving on, as fire lookout Karla Theilen urges in her gripping story of survival - many more adventures await

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Travelers' Tales/Solas House; 1st Printing edition (May 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932361375
• ISBN-13: 978-1932361377
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,031,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Just for Women - an insightful glimpse into those who work in the wild, July 5, 2006

By 

Timecheck "backpack45.com - Camino Chronicle... (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mile in Her Boots: Women Who Work in the Wild (Paperback)

Not just for women, this book could have just as accurately be titled "A Mile in Their Boots: Those Who Work in the Wild." This non fiction collection of thirty some stories gives an insightful glimpse into those who earn their living beyond our world of freeways, cubicles and shopping malls.

As a National Park Service brat many years ago, ex-husband of a field biologist and a current long distance backpacker, I have some familiarity with these occupations. The stories ring true. Jennifer Bové has selected her stories well.

When Nancy Stevens talks about her packer/cook/wrangler job it evokes visions of dusty pack trains and the smell of horses. A sampling of the content: Rebecca's impromptu firefighting experience as a raw Army recruit, Christine's article on Dirt, the constant ingredient of trail crews, Maggie learning to capture lizards with dental floss. And to go on, bone boiling in Yellowstone, climbing cliffs to count auklet burrows, large creatures in the night ...

If your thoughts sometimes take you out of the city, into the wild, and you wonder who those people are that work out there, this book will tell you.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I "hold hands" with the trees near timberline, and we talk...these women would understand (and I KNOW Jen Bove does)., September 28, 2006

By 

Jean Motzer (Denver CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Mile in Her Boots: Women Who Work in the Wild (Paperback)

I have just finished this wonderful book. I read each selection as slowly as possible, savoring every word, so as to make it last as long as I could. I've spent a great deal of time in the wilderness, but never ALL ALONE, and I really admire the courage of those who have. Reading these stories helped me remember what I love so much about hiking/climbing...the trees, the smell, the wind, the weather, and most especially, getting above timberline. As I get older (and my knees more worn), I've become more and more concerned with keeping up with the group, and I thank these women for getting me back, grounded, in WHY I'm there in the first place.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great read!, April 26, 2010

By 

C. Kemp (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Mile in Her Boots: Women Who Work in the Wild (Paperback)

I just finished this great book. My boss, a wildlife biologist in the US Forest Service, lent it to me with instructions to pass it around to all of the other ladies in my office once I'm finished. I can relate to specific parts of the stories and cherish the fact that the wilderness is indeed my office too! There is an almost undescribable satisfaction for me in working outside the world of suburbia, shopping malls, facial spas and hair salons. I get a wonderful feeling of freedom working outside among the wildlife, mountains and grasslands.

My favorite stories were "The Adventure Family," "Dirt," and "Milk." Thanks to Jennifer Bove for compiling all these awesome true tales. I will definitely buy my own copy in the near future!