These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories
by Nancy E. Turner

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Book Reviews of These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories

Book Review: My personal "Book of the Year", I dedicate this to Mom
Summary: 5 Stars

There is no doubt that this book wins book of the year for me.

I wish I could urge everyone to read this novel, for it is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. Nancy Turner has brought the Arizona Territory in the late 1800's alive, and the impression of it will literally be so vivid, you will feel as if you made a movie in your mind with the read.

As other reviewers have expressed, you cannot put this book down. I guarantee you will care deeply for the characters and their experiences will be unique to us in this time period. It is obvious extensive and accurate research went into her preparations. In many ways, this accuracy is what brings this book to life and transplants the reader into the very time period to make the story more of an experience than a simple novel read.

An accurate accounting of Sarah Prine, a young woman moving into the Arizona territories with her family, her life is revealed in a diary format, but richly endorsed with her marvelous gift for story telling, humor and feisty spirit. You can not help but unite behind all of her endeavors, loving those that love her and feeling equally betrayed and traumatized by those who do the same. This is a strong woman, and her experiences are intense. This is no fairy tale, it is an accounting of all the life experiences a young woman must face on her own in a new land constantly besieged by the lawless and coping with Indians fighting to retain their ancient lands for their own. Gripping accounts of attacks during their migration to the Territories are told along with the struggles the people had to maintain their families and cope with the incredible demands of the journey. Interestingly, disgust was levied at husbands who impregnated their wives prior to and on the trail. Military escorts were forced to make those ill and in labor travel, unable to afford the luxury of ceasing the migration due to indian threat and cold weather impeding their progress.

This is a powerful novel and I cherish the thought that women like Sarah lived, loved and founded homes in the great American West.

Summary of These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 Arizona Territories

Inspired by the author's original family memoirs, this absorbing story introduces us to the questing, indomitable Sarah Prine, one of the most memorable women ever to survive and prevail in the Arizona Territory of the late 1800s. As a child, a fiery young woman, and finally a caring mother, Sarah forges a life as full and as fascinating as our deepest needs, our most secret hopes and our grandest dreams. She rides Indian-style and shoots with deadly aim, greedily devours a treasure trove of leatherbound books, downs fire, flood, Comanche raids and other mortal perils with the unique courage that forged the character of the American West.

Rich in authentic details of daily life and etched with striking character portraits of very different pioneer families, this action-packed novel is also the story of a powerful, enduring love between Sarah and the dashing cavalry officer Captain Jack Elliot. Neither the vast distances traveled nor the harsh and killing terrains could quench the passion between them, and the loss and loneliness both suffer only strengthen their need for each other.

While their love grows, the heartbreak and wonder of the frontier experience unfold in scene after scene: a wagon-train Sunday spent roasting quail on spits as Indians close in to attack; Sarah's silent encounter with an Indian brave, in which he shows her his way of respect; a dreadful discovery by a stream that changes Sarah forever; the hazards of a visit to Phoenix, a town as hot as the devil's frying pan; Sarah's joy in building a real home, sketching out rooms and wraparound porches.

Sarah's incredible story leads us into a vanished world that comes vividly to life again, while her struggles with work and home, love and responsibility resonate with those every woman faces today. These Is My Words is a passionate celebration of a remarkable life, exhilarating and gripping from the first page to the last.

Historical Books

• Subjects > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical
• Westerns
• Literary