Plains Woman: The Diary of Martha Farnsworth, 1882-1922 (A Midland Book) [Paperback]

Marlene Springer (Editor), Haskell Springer (Editor)

Book Description

Series: A Midland Book | Publication Date: February 22, 1988

"Among the numerous diaries published recently as scholars probe women's history, Farnsworth's is a real find." —Sally Mitchell

"The publication now of books like Martha Farnsworth's has contributed to radical revisions of women's history and reassessment of women's skills as writers." —Elizabeth Hampsten

"... superb edition of the diary of Kansas pioneer Martha Farnsworth... a fact-filled, revealing account of an extraordinary-but-ordinary woman... " —American Quarterly

"... the inside story of a women's life in the middle of America... " —Bloomsbury Review

A Kansas teacher, housewife, photographer, and suffragist, Martha Farnsworth compulsively recorded her life in middle America during a period of tremendous social and cultural change.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Among the numerous diaries published recently as scholars probe women's history, Farnsworth's is a real find. It covers a whole life: first, in years (from age 15) and second, because Farns worth records both feelings and events. She writes about family tensions, flirta tions, a miserable marriage to an abu sive alcoholic, work, elections, a sec ond (happier) marriage to a mail carrier, Sunday School teaching, cam paigns for temperance and women's suffrage. She also provides details about houses, appliances, and the meals she cooked, and sometimes looks back to the frontier of her child hood. Farnsworth's narrative sense and lively personality make the diary as interesting to general readers as to his torians. Highly recommended. Sally Mitchell, English Dept., Temple Univ., Philadelphia
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Among the numerous diaries published recently as scholars probe women's history, Farnsworth's is a real find." Sally Mitchell "The publication now of books like Martha Farnsworth's has contributed to radical revisions of women's history and reassessment of women's skills as writers." Elizabeth Hampsten " ... superb edition of the diary of Kansas pioneer Martha Farnsworth ... a fact-filled, revealing account of an extraordinary-but-ordinary woman ... " American Quarterly " ... the inside story of a women's life in the middle of America ... " Bloomsbury Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press; First Edition edition (February 22, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253204801
• ISBN-13: 978-0253204806
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,084,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't Put It Down!, March 18, 2008

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Just My Opinion (Kansas) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Plains Woman: The Dairy of Martha Farnsworth, 1882-1922 (A Midland Book) (Hardcover)

If you like reading about pioneer women, then you will love the diary of Martha Farnsworth. I could not put it down the first night I started reading it. I found myself actually crying for this woman and what she endured. I liked the fact that it was "her" actual writings, not someone else telling what they think about her. All I know is "Times Have Sure Changed". Don't pass this one up!