Customer Reviews

True Women

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I will never forget my enthusiasm in reading this novel of Janice Woods Windle. And that enthusiasm led me to recommend it a dozen times over, and to buy copies for friends and relatives. I just think it is one of the most incredible reads of historical fiction of Texas that has been written.

Don't let the racy paperback cover mislead you. This is not a bodice buster. It is BETTER than that, as Woods Windle's connection to Texas' early days of settlement through the fight for freedom from Mexico to those as a young republic and finally a part of the United States are just terrific.

Related from Windle's own family tree, the original hardbound copy contains photos of her own family's women in the front and back end pages of the cover. While reading, it is a joy to thumb back and forth to match the faces to the characters in the story.

The courage of these women on the Runaway Scrape, against the area's Indians, in maintaining home and hearth while their men tended to the business of warfare, both for independence and the War between the States, or of cattle drives, or trade, that courage makes them just unforgettable.

This is one of my all time favorite reads. I can't recommend it anymore highly than to say, I would read it again and give it as a gift even today.

I first saw this story when it was a miniseries on tv and after I saw it I had to get the book and read it. As soon as I got the book I didn't put it down. I am now in 9th grade and I had the book for silent reading in my 8th grade class and the book was finished in less than a month. Usually I don't like reading LONG books but this one was a page turner. The cool thing is I felt I could relate to Euphemia the most. What these women went through makes me feel awesome to be a woman. If women didn't have people like them around back then I don't even want to think what women's lives would be like today! Read it, because its awesome.

Based upon author Janice Woods Windle's own family,
this exciting novel tells the story of three generations
of strong willed, independent Texas women. Euphemia
Texas Ashby King was there when Sam Housten's
rag-tag Texan army beat Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto....
Georgia Virginia Lawshee Woods risked her plantation
running the cotton blockade during the Civil War...
but still had to defend her family against a Yankee
officer....Bettie Moss King survived wolves and storms
to bring her family through the turbulent birth of modern
times. Alive and with a spirit of its own, True Women
is an exciting, engrossing novel that truly captures
the spirit of America. A must-read!

I have placed this book on the top of my list of "most memorable" and have read the sequel. I have purchased four of the books and now wish to donate two copies to our library and find that it is no longer in print! Disastrous. Janice Woods Windle has an outstanding gift and one that is truly appreciated. Being a fan of Grisham, Cook, Ludlum, et al, this was quite a turn about for me. It possibly helped me appreciate Grisham's latest novel (the switch to emphasis being on adventure rather than law).

I am forever a fan of Ms. Woods and hope she continues to write in the manner of fact/fiction. Gifted lady!

Kay Clark

What a wonderful novel! How delightful to look inside the cover and see these photos that you look at again and again as the story evolves. What a poignant story of these families. I thought it very exciting and well written. Lovely book!

I bought this book thinking that I wouldn't like it. I was shocked, and I now consider it among my favorites! Being from Texas, I found the historical background mesmerizing! I could relate to all the women in the book, despite the many years that separated our lives. I've become a true fan of Janice Woods Windle.

True Women is my favorite book. I especially love Sarah. She is so strong and fearless, it was amazing. The book deals with many issues you see today. It has lots of history, so you learn about Texas as well. I'm originally form Texas myself, and my mom had read it before, so I decided to read a book that talked about Texas history as well as the lives of people, which I like. I started to read it and became hooked. Janice Woods Windle gives such a vivid, well described, in-depth description of Euphemia, Georgia, Sarah, and Bettie. Any western and/or history buff will enjoy this book very much.

THIS BOOK GIVES ONE A SENSE OF ACTUALLY BEING THERE WHEN THE WAGONS WITH WOMEN AND CHILDREN,TRAVEL TO ESCAPE SANTA ANNA, THE DEFENSE OF THE HOMES BY WOMEN, WHOSE MEN WERE OFTEN GONE. THE ARROW IN THE LEG OF SARAH ASHBY MCCLURE AND THE ARROW BEING REMOVED BY TARANTUALA, ONE OF THE MOST FEARED INDIANS. IT IS A GEAT READ AND WELL WORTH THE TIME. I WONDER, COULD WE ENDURE THESE HARDSHIPS?

This book sounded interesting but I was immediately put off with the first chapter being from the point of view of a five-year-old. The author gave Euphemia observations and thoughts and language far beyond her years. So, what we really had was the author's point of view, not the child's.

I found it irritating. Just didn't work for me.

True Women is the story of Euphemia Texas Ashby King, as told by her great-great-granddaughter, Janice Windle Woods. This book is acurate as well as entertaining. I fell in love with it the minute I picked it up. I couldn't put it down, and would recommend it to anyone.