Sandra L. (GrannyBookworm) reviewed Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West on + 125 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book in two days, because I just couldn't put it down! Two young women in 1916, flaunting the social mores of their time, go to the wild west to teach young children in a mining town. They are both delightful and their story, told by the granddaughter of one of them, comes to life through their letters and journals. A good read!
Helpful Score: 2
This is an enjoyable read. Wickenden provides a well-researched glimpse into 1916 Routt County Colorado history and the upper reaches of back country society, as experienced by two recent Smith graduates from Albany, NY. Though the girls came from a wealthy and pampered upbringing, and had no previous teaching experience whatsoever, they changed lives among their students and school families during a year spent teaching in the mountains above Hayden.
We all should be so lucky as to have our mothers/grandmothers hand us a folder of personal letters to backbone research for such a lively book! Heard Ms. Wickenden speak at THE TATTERED COVER in lower downtown Denver--she did an excellent job of interweaving Routt County/Western Slope ranch and mining history with stories of the growth of Denver, Colorado's second choice of capitol. Drew a capacity crowd.
Too bad someone stole the audio visual equipment--so no illustrations.
We all should be so lucky as to have our mothers/grandmothers hand us a folder of personal letters to backbone research for such a lively book! Heard Ms. Wickenden speak at THE TATTERED COVER in lower downtown Denver--she did an excellent job of interweaving Routt County/Western Slope ranch and mining history with stories of the growth of Denver, Colorado's second choice of capitol. Drew a capacity crowd.
Too bad someone stole the audio visual equipment--so no illustrations.
Thomas F. (hardtack) -
Helpful Score: 2
A wonderful story which really pulled me along. How some of the children got to school every day was amazing. Old timers tell stories about walking miles through snow, but some of these children had to do that in snow drifts up to their necks. They knew the value of education and wanted to be taught!
This book would make a great mini-series, except there are no vampires or zombies. :-)
I don't understand the poor reviews given here. What those reviewers saw as 'padding' was to me some of the best parts of the book. It helped flesh out and provide background for the stories of the two young women teaching for the first time. If it had just been about the teachers the book would have been boring.
This book would make a great mini-series, except there are no vampires or zombies. :-)
I don't understand the poor reviews given here. What those reviewers saw as 'padding' was to me some of the best parts of the book. It helped flesh out and provide background for the stories of the two young women teaching for the first time. If it had just been about the teachers the book would have been boring.
Lorene F. (lorenef) reviewed Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West on + 82 more book reviews
I truly found it daunting to finish this book. It was bor-ing! I trudged through dry, detailed information on the building of a railroad and various towns, who married whom, how many children they had, their furniture, and their educational background. Clearly there was a great deal of research behind this book, but that wasn't what I wanted to read about. I don't know where all the hype on this book comes from, unless it's from the descendents of every person mentioned in the book. I did enjoy the portion of the book focusing on the girls' time teaching.
Wendi C. reviewed Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West on + 30 more book reviews
The story of two Northern ladies venturing West is a good story if you are new to the Westward movement. If you are reader of the West, this is an easy read and not informative. The book has some Colorado and New York history.
Holly H D. (hdurrence) -
Could not get into this book
Charles K. (textual) reviewed Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West on + 29 more book reviews
This book tells a very interesting story about 2 rich girls and their experiences before and after a year teaching in a remote area of Colorado. The story apparently originated as a long article in a magazine. That original magazine piece is probably the best way to tell the story. The book is merely an expansion of the magazine piece. If you don't mind wandering through the padding the nugget of the story is still very interesting.
Dana W. (SouthWestZippy) -
Not going to do a big write up on this book. Not only was it a dry read, it was poorly put together and the stories were all over the place making it hard to keep a time line. The Author gives you their take on activities not allowing the voices of Dorothy and Rosamond, plus has unnecessary history here and there. You could tell Dorothy and her friend had lots of experiences and lived their life moment to moment but just had a hard time hearing their voices.
