She Flies Without Wings: How Horses Touch a Woman's Soul (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Although author and longtime equestrian Mary Midkiff once presented a straightforward book on women and horses (Fitness, Performance and the Female Equestrian), she now explores the more ethereal terrain of this compelling feminine attraction. "Women and horse have always been drawn to one another," Midkiff writes. "They rode together in Greek myth and Celtic poem, Native American legend and Wild West folktales.... Women and horses emerge in life and literature as a huge tribe of spiritual sisters." (In fact, more than one million girls and women are involved in horse-related activities in the U.S. alone.)

Midkiff spent years researching this exquisitely written book that loosely mirrors the arc of a women's life. Using her life story as the backdrop, Midkiff shows how horses nurture feminine development. For example, the freedom to roam the earth on horseback liberates the dreams and ambitions of a young girl. Or how an affinity with horses can help awaken a teenager's emerging sensuality. And when women reach full adulthood, horses help women stay compassionate and spiritually grounded. This is a highly recommended book for older teens (15 and up) and women who value the equestrian relationship as much as the riding. --Gail Hudson

From Booklist

In a book that is part autobiography, part social and natural history, and part literary work, Midkiff views the special bond between horses and women. There are few girls who have not longed for a horse, drawn horses, or pretended to be one, but unlike the author, few women are able to enjoy a lifetime's association with horses. Born into a family whose business was connected to the Kentucky thoroughbred world, she inherited her grandfather's special affinity with the animal. By telling the story of her own connections and interposing it with those of other women from the past and present, she finds universality in the emotional and psychic bond that exists between the two species. The passages of poetry and prose borrowed from literary works set the tone and enhance the book's 12-part structure. Horsewomen, or women who long to be horsewomen, will thoroughly enjoy this book. Danise Hoover
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Press (April 10, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385334990
• ISBN-13: 978-0385334990
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,077,390 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Blessing of a Book!, August 14, 2003

By	J. Olcott "Love2Read" (Middle America) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: She Flies Without Wings: How Horses Touch a Woman's Soul (Paperback)

With uncanny insight and wisdom Ms.Midkiff has put eloquently into words the very emotions I have experienced my past 25 years with horses. This book has touched me and made me even more aware of the gifts I receive on a daily basis. As she so simply and profoundly states in this book - "When I ride [my mare] her unity with the outside world is so absolute that I have no choice but to follow her into it. I must stop thinking about deadlines and the grocery list... because they have no place the the world my equine guide is showing me. I can't help but open my eyes to what she sees and my ears to what she hears. I note the flicker of a cottontail disappearing into the brush ahead and hear the call of the meadowlark before spotting it. I swim in her quiet." Bravo, Ms. Midkiff! Though we have never met I am certain we are of the same herd. Thank you for such an inspiring read!

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Will Fly Too, July 14, 2001

By	Janie Lester "sashmigosh" (Coconut Creek, Fl United States) - See all my reviews

In reading "She Flies Without Wings", being a horselover, and owner, and a woman, the author did a wonderful job in descriptions and feelings. I kept reading paragraphs over and over again, as it is like poetry. Very poetic, very true in relating to our magnificant, graceful, powerful, beasts. I do not want to part with my book, so I have ordered this book for my horseloving women friends. It is a book one can read over and over again, and still enjoy. I envy the first time one reads "She Flies Without Wings,"; I was flying and without wings! Janie Lester

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful read, October 31, 2001

By	Kathleen Kocunik (Aurora, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This was a truly delightful read. I have also read Midkiff's Fitness Performance and the Female Equestrian (also a good book to read), but this book really explores the connection between women and horses. It is obvious that she really loves horses. A good book to curl up with.