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Plains Woman: The Diary of Martha Farnsworth, 1882-1922
Plains Woman The Diary of Martha Farnsworth 18821922 Author:Martha Farnsworth, Marlene Springer, Haskell Springer Among the numerous diaries published recently as scholars probe women's history, Farnsworth's is a real find. It covers a whole life: first, in years (from age 15) and second, because Farnsworth records both feelings and events. She writes about family tensions, flirtations, a miserable marriage to an abusive alcoholic, work, elections, a second... more » (happier) marriage to a mail carrier, Sunday School teaching, campaigns for temperance and women's suffrage. She also provides details about houses, appliances, and the meals she cooked, and sometimes looks back to the frontier of her childhood. Farnsworth's narrative sense and lively personality make the diary as interesting to general readers as to historians.
Sally Mitchell, English Dept., Temple Univ., Philadelphia
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