A Sweet, Separate Intimacy: Women Writers of the American Frontier, 1800 - 1922 (Voice in the American West) (Paperback)

by Susan Cummins Miller (Author, Editor) "MY TIES TO THE women in this volume run deep..." (more)
Key Phrases: woman homesteader, enchanted bluff, summer cañons, New York, San Francisco, United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
The 34 writers included in this impressive anthology originally published their fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and occasional writings during the settlement years of the American frontier. All of the women were professional authors at a time when women generally had difficulty finding publishers. Their abilities reinforced their physical isolation yet offered them outlets not available to most women and men. Miller, who lives in Arizona and has degrees in history, anthropology, and geology, has done a particularly fine job of finding voices that aren't often represented in frontier literatureDwomen of Native American, Hispanic, Chinese, and Anglo ethnicity are included. Each selection is preceded by a brief biographical and historical reference establishing context. Miller's admiration and respect for each author is evident. Recommended for women's studies, American studies, and frontier literature collections in academic and public libraries.DPam Kingsbury, Florence, AL
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
Not simply paeans to the West, the selections examine substantive social, political, and racial themes and explore issues of identity, marriage, and autonomy. --J. K. Weinstein, Choice

The frontier and American women are intertwined in the collected pieces through the issues of race, the clash of indigenous and invading or intermingling cultures. The feminine voice is heard throughout--voices rich in detail and less impaired by territorial imperative. --David B. Broad, Journal of the West

This useful and accessible collection has great appeal for general readers with an interest in western, nineteenth-century, or women's history. Moreover, college and high school instructors will find it a welcome source and textbook. --Jennifer L. Jenkins, Journal of Arizona History

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 462 pages
• Publisher: Texas Tech University Press; Reprint edition (December 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896726185
• ISBN-13: 978-0896726185
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,384,302 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read For All Women & Historians, July 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A Sweet, Separate Intimacy: Women Writers of the American Frontier, 1800-1922 (Hardcover)

Susan Cummins Miller, a very gifted editor and writer, has scored a hit with this one! It should be read by every woman, young and old, desiring a woman's insight of the events of the West during its formative years. The book gives the reader a woman's perspective as to the hardships suffered along with moments of humor and the joys of discovery and exploration through essays, travelogues, poetry and letters. The editor has blended well a group of women writers who lived this age of discovery and settlement. Almost all the cultures in the West during the period are presented with their particular view of the events as they lived them. It is a unique collection and I wish I had read this book in college. It certainly would have broadened my horizons and complimented the materials presented in my history and literature classes. Hey, professors! You need to add this book to your must read lists. And, to the author, many thanks for finding a unique niche that had been missed and filling it with a great group of women writers, broadening our historical and literary minds and giving us one great book that can be enjoyed many times over. It will hold a sacred place on my bookshelf.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oprah should read THIS one, April 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Sweet, Separate Intimacy: Women Writers of the American Frontier, 1800-1922 (Paperback)

For the first time I really understand the role played by WOMEN in settling the West. This collection of writings by women of all cultures took me to that time and let me feel the joy, loneliness, laughter, exhaustion and fulfillment of settling a new country. It also let me see the life of the American Indian through the eyes of women for the first time. Excellent read.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!, July 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Sweet, Separate Intimacy: Women Writers of the American Frontier, 1800-1922 (Hardcover)

From the moment I heard about the premise of this book I waited with anticipation. What joy that it fulfilled everything I expected. Susan is a gifted writer and brings these women's words to life. The book made me desperate for more, both in depth and scope. As easy to take as a novel, it is a history lesson - should I say HERstory - and then some. Superb work.