Jessamyn West

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Cress Delahanty is a novel written by Jessamyn West. The story revolves around Cress Delahanty, a young girl who grows up in a small town in California during the early 20th century. Cress is a bright and curious child who is eager to learn about the world around her. However, her family is poor, and she is forced to drop out of school to help support them. Despite the challenges she faces, Cress is determined to make something of herself. She becomes a successful businesswoman and eventually marries a wealthy man. However, her success comes at a price, and she struggles to balance her career and her personal life. The novel explores themes of ambition, love, and the pursuit of happiness. It also touches on issues such as gender roles, class, and the changing social landscape of America in the early 20th century. Overall, Cress Delahanty is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that offers a unique perspective on the American experience. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of the United States and the struggles of women during this time period. This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Brimming "with humor and charm and youthful animal spirits... There is much true wisdom in "Cress Delahanty."" ("The New York Times")West writes "gracefully, occasionally poetically, in a voice both innocent and brave." ("The Washington Post")Set in rural California in the 1940s, this novel wittily portrays an adolescent girl navigating pivotal moments of growing up between 12 and 16. West is equally insightful about the eternal problems of parenthood and how raising children transforms a marriage. Jessamyn West (1902-1984) was the author of forty books and often contributed to magazines like "The New Yorker."

A quintessential American heroine, Eliza Birdwell is a wonderful blend of would-be austerity, practicality, and gentle humor when it comes to keeping her faith and caring for her family and community. Her husband, Jess, shares Eliza's love of people and peaceful ways but, unlike Eliza, also displays a fondness for a fast horse and a lively tune. With their children, they must negotiate their way through a world that constantly confronts them-sometimes with candor, sometimes with violence-and tests the strength of their beliefs. Whether it's a gift parcel arriving on their doorstep or Confederate soldiers approaching their land, the Birdwells embrace life with emotion, conviction, and a love for one another that seems to conquer all. The Friendly Persuasion has charmed generations of readers as one of our classic tales of the American Midwest.

Elinore Pruitt, a widow and mother who washed clothes for a living in Denver, planned to work as a housekeeper for some rancher while learning all she would need to know about homesteading a place for herself. In 1909 she went to work for Clyde Stewart, whose ranch was near Burnt Fork, Wyoming, and within six weeks she married him. "Ranch work seemed to require that we be married first and do our sparking afterward," she wrote Juliet Coney, her former employer. She maintained her independence by filing on a quarter section adjacent to her husband's land and proving it up herself. Her delightful letters, written from the time of her arrival until 1913, authentically depict an Old West that, as Jessamyn West notes in her foreword, has been "progressively obscured by those who portray it most often." The critically acclaimed 1980 film Heartland was based on Elinore Pruitt Stewart's letters and journals.

In thirty-six stories, West rings changes in time and presents a startling sweep of personalities and moods. Her themes span the breadth of experience, from the bite of misery to the balm of delight. Her achievement, taken totally, is a spectrum of living-a haunting, rewarding experience.

In a memoir filled with compassion and deep resolve, West celebrates the lives of three women-her strong Quaker mother, her beloved and courageous sister, and herself-and gives personal insight into her own battle to survive tuberculosis.

A dramatic, sweeping saga of life on the Indiana frontier in 1824, based on actual historical events. The Fall Creek Massacre was a unique occurrence-the first recorded instance of whites being formally charged with murder for killing Indians. Five whites were accused, tried by jury, convicted, and executed. West uses this historical record as the source for a fictional account of the events of the massacre and trial.