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The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America
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Original price was: $18.00.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
Detailed description:
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The triumphant true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion
“The gift Elizabeth Letts has is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now.”—Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv
In 1954, sixty-three-year-old Maine farmer Annie Wilkins embarked on an impossible journey. She had no money and no family, she had just lost her farm, and her doctor had given her only two years to live. But Annie wanted to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. She ignored her doctor’s advice to move into the county charity home. Instead, she bought a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, donned men’s dungarees, and headed south in mid-November, hoping to beat the snow. Annie had little idea what to expect beyond her rural crossroads; she didn’t even have a map. But she did have her ex-racehorse, her faithful mutt, and her own unfailing belief that Americans would treat a stranger with kindness.
Annie, Tarzan, and her dog, Depeche Toi, rode straight into a world transformed by the rapid construction of modern highways. Between 1954 and 1956, the three travelers pushed through blizzards, forded rivers, climbed mountains, and clung to the narrow shoulder as cars whipped by them at terrifying speeds. Annie rode more than four thousand miles, through America’s big cities and small towns. Along the way, she met ordinary people and celebrities—from Andrew Wyeth (who sketched Tarzan) to Art Linkletter and Groucho Marx. She received many offers—a permanent home at a riding stable in New Jersey, a job at a gas station in rural Kentucky, even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher. In a decade when car ownership nearly tripled, when television’s influence was expanding fast, when homeowners began locking their doors, Annie and her four-footed companions inspired an outpouring of neighborliness in a rapidly changing world.
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Product group:
Categories: Women Writers
Product name:
The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America
Price:
Original price was: $18.00.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
JJ from WI –
Well written and engaging. I had to keep reminding myself that it was a true story. Having been born in the 1950’s, I enjoyed the glimpse of America during my early childhood.
MJ51 –
A great read
Capt Bill –
I very much enjoyed this book. Really touching story about a really tough and determined woman with her horse and dog.
Kariart –
This is the story of one woman’s courage to follow here life-long dream despite all odds. At 64 and with just 2-4 years left to live, she sets off with just a few dollars, no bank account and just the basic belongings she can carry on horseback and heads west across America. Her dream? To see California. She starts in Maine on the east coast with no map, – just knows she has to head west.
It’s a story of hope, courage, belief in oneself, determination and sheer grit that takes her on a year-long journey through a fast-changing America in the early fifties. She defies all odds, crossing mountains in snow – when told it’s impossible – rides through torrential rain – because she has no where to sleep – but never gives up. She finally rides into California having found her true self, regained her health and – defying those doctors – lives another 22 years. If you only read just one book in 2024 make it THE RIDE OF HER LIFE.
issy –
I couldn’t put it down had to read it all Up all night. It was worth it
Charlotte Rose –
This book was splendid! I could hardly put it down. It is full of travel, adventure, strong characters, suspense, and lots of history in a fun, easy way of understanding America during the 50’s. I loved Annie’s spirit. We all need to learn to enjoy life, take chances on our dreams, work hard, treat everyone with kindness, love animals and care for them, and more. I think animal lovers would appreciate this book. The author did a phenomenal work in her research and writing. This book brought me much pleasure while reading it. It is one that will stay with me.
epmom3 –
This well-written book captivated me from start to finish. I felt like I got to know Annie, Tarzan, Rex and Depeche Toi and I was rooting for them throughout their incredible journey. Annie was ordinary and amazing all at once – what a blessing for those who got to meet her! It was hard to put this book down! Learning about how America was changing during the 50s was also fascinating! I highly recommend this book!
pollymom –
The story was amazing but told dispassionately without much drama or feeling…like a reporter telling just the facts. It was such a dramatic and sometimes truly perilous journey… So many hair raising and scary events…wish the writing matched the drama of the 3000 + mile journey across America in the 1950’s. Would have given this book 5 stars if it was written with the feeling and depth it deserved. Not sorry I read it but sorry it was not a “Great ” Read, AZ it should have been.
was filled with facts about 1950’s America that I enjoyed reading about. I was born at the end of 1954….and some of the things happening in the story were still happening in the early 1960’s when I was a middle aged kid…things about cars, and travel, roads and locations I remember while growing up in various places in California.
An epic story should be told with epic proportions!
Wish this one…such a unique and meaningful experience deserves an epic storytelling… Not so, here…sad to say.
JS –
This is a fantastic story and the writing is also spectacular. I’ve read all three of Ms. Letts’ nonfiction books and this is probably my favorite. Deeply inspiring in every way, it’s a tale about both the character and grit of Annie, but also the character, generosity and humanity of America, a place where many people are still warm, wonderful and full of generosity. It is also about small places and wide-open spaces that are increasingly hard to find. The story itself is fascinating and if you love animals, this book is for you; horses and dogs, the best. Letts finds these fantastic stories and makes it so you cannot put them down. Can’t recommend it highly enough and can’t wait for her next book. Well done.
Louise Jackson –
I liked this book. Felt like I was on the ride with her.
Bill Ferrie –
I enjoy true life stories and this one has horses in it so right up my interest ally! Some of the descriptions get a little lengthy, but all in all a good human interest story of determination and will. Gutsy lady!!
Hebb –
Great book true story amazing journey you’ll enjoy it! Especially any animal lover horses dogs. Would also make a sweet gift for a loved one or friend.
Booklover –
What a fantastic book about an incredible woman who rode horseback from Maine to California in the early 1950’s with only her horses and dog to keep her company. The challenges she overcame included snow, rain, flash floods and the ever present danger of sharing the highways with speeding cars and trucks. She started out without a map or flashlight and had only a few dollars to her name, earning money along the way by selling autographed notecards with a picture of her and her horse. As much as this book tells the story of an extraordinary woman, it is a story about America and the kind, generous people she encountered on her journey.