These stories of largely unknown women bring to life the difficulties that both men and women experienced in the American West before and during the time of the Gold Rush. A very well put-together volume of fascinating stories. Illusrated with daguerrotypes and photos, it doesn't gloss over the hardships involved, and altogether makes readers wish they could have known these pioneers.

(Key Words: American West, Biography, Liza Ketchum, Women's Studies, Gold Rush, Susan Shelby Magoffin, Lotta Crabtree, Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Bethenia Owens-Adair, Susette LaFlesche Tibbles, Susan LaFlesche Picotte, Mary McGladery Tape, Klondike, Katerine Ryan, Juvenile Literature, Frontier Life, Daguerrotypes).