Women at the Reins: Farm Memories based on the collection From Mules to Microwaves

$35.00

History books generally ignore or minimize the contribution of women in the development of agriculture; however, many farms and ranches would have gone belly-up without the strong faith, undying spirit and stubborn determination of the women.

This book contains a compilation of non-fiction stories about rural life, collected as a special project by the American Agri-Women. This project, From Mules to Microwaves, preserves the oral and written histories of rural women in order to document history from the woman's perspective. Histories were received from residents of Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming, describing lifestyles throughout the United States.

These stories span the years from the time when immigrants first set foot on American soil until the present day-from the times of mules to the days of microwaves. This book opens with a section on stitchery and quilts, followed by other chapters that piece together the bits and scraps that make up the whole woman, until the final chapter culminates with blessings that come with experience. Love of family and country life, and a healthy sense of humor are a common thread. Interwoven through the whole cloth of the anthology are stitches of the author's life. Vintage photographs enhance these charming tales.

LaRayne Meyer Topp

2008, 5½x8½, paper, 420 pp.

ISBN: 9780788447815

101-T4781