Customer Reviews

Writing Out My Heart: Selections from the Journal of Frances E. Willard, 1855-96 (Women in American History)

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

 

 

Highly recommended to all who know and love Frances Willard. Probably not the best introduction to her for others. Quite different from her autobiography which she wrote at age 50 presenting the public Frances, this edited publication of her private journals is a far more intimate look at her life, almost to a feeling of intrusion, although it seems that Frances would not have minded its publication and probably even left it for such a purpose. This volume records her grief over the passing of dear family members, her broken heart and pining in romance, her fears and frustrations, and her physical challenges in later years, with just enough mention of her temperance work, travels and speeches, to solidify that indeed this is the same Frances. Most of the journal was written when she was in her 20s, after which she skipped 22 years of writing during her most active temperance work, picking back up in her 50s with the struggles of her last few years. Well edited, presenting, according to the editor, only 10% of the actual journal text, but with editing notes in abundance, it reads smoothly. A huge piece of the historical puzzle for anyone wishing to piece together this formidable woman.