Rating: 
Summary: Best book I ever read.
Review: I first read "Wild Assault" in 1978. Given to be by a new friend as I moved from Houston to Wimberley,TX. I could not put it down and never wanted it to end.To make a long,interesting story short, I met Elithe Hamilton Kirkland at a review in Hamilton,TX. We became very close friends though she was 30 years my senior. We corresponded as she continued to write her last novel "The Edge of Disrepute". She then moved to Wimberley to be closer to me and other friends.After she passed on I dedicated a guest room to her in our new ranch home and placed her papers,books and poems there for all to enjoy. Elithe's room is well used and enjoyed by old friends and new. I loved her very much.NA in Wimberley.We also placed original papers in the Alkek Library, dedicated to Southwest writers and photographers, at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. This is a MUST visit place for fans of Texas writers.
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Summary: I read this at 13, 18, 23, 30, and again at ...a later age
Review: I just recommended this book to my friends, and it would be such a kick to read this in a women's book group. I stumbled on this book during my romance years, when I devoured novels at the rate of 3 and 4 a week. I found this one, and lingered over it, sobbing into my pillow, marveling at this wonderful woman's tale. I return to it time and again. The story of the featherbed came to mind today when my new bed was delivered. Though I'm a scholar of western lit, I've never learned more about this book. I might do that, but that might break the spell the book has on me. Buy a copy and enjoy!
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Summary: Exceptional Heroine lives in this book & one-woman play
Review: I knew of this story decades ago, having lived with my grandparents in Jefferson near Caddo Lake. Always involved with theatre as a singer/actress,I was given a copy of the original,unpublished autobiography by Harriet A. Ames in 1959 shortly after the novel was published. After semi-pro career,marriage,motherhood,semi-pro career again,we returned to Jefferson,restored an 1869 bldg to live in and opened the small Living Room Theatre.In 1985, adapted from the original & premiered the Harriet story as 1-woman play "TEXIAN WOMAN". Highly successful...no one ever tires of this story! The book and the play dove-tail nicely with the original though some parts have been "created" to facilitate the narrative styles. Absolutely the best book ever written about a truely strong woman who faced great odds and lived to tell about it...Harriet Potter Ames, the "Bravest Woman in Texas"! Benefit performances of the play were given several times to raise funds for a monument to Harriet that was erected & dedicated in November 1999 at Potter's Point near Caddo Lake, Marion County, Texas. Go see it! The Play will probaby be done there again in the future!
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Summary: Revisit to Wild Assault
Review: I re-read Wild Assault from time to time and love it more each read. I have a review already and have heard from several Wild Assault lovers. Would love to hear from more. My e-mail address has changed. It is now nancie@wimberley-tx.com. "Elithe's Room" is still here at Lantana Ranch and we love to meet fans of hers. Contact me. Thanks, Nancie Austin
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: I was first given this book as a christmas present. My mother had told me the tale of Harriet Moore that fall and had spent months looking for a copy of this book. I was so excited to read this story of adventure, survival, hardship and love, especially knowing that I am a descendant of such an amazing woman. HArriet's life would be admired today as in the past as an amazing, couregeuos person. I have read and reread Love is a Wild Assault many times and it always brings me to tears. I feel so connectted to Harriet that I get caught up in her story and am so dissappointed when it ends, not because I did not enjoy the ending, much the oppostie. I am dissappointed because when i have turned the last page, I am forced to return to my everyday life. The adventure, romance and hardships gone. The chance to experience half of what Harriet did seems out of reach and her life, which inspired such emotions and spurred many tales, seems like one from another world. One I can never reach. The tale, based on the life of a real woman, woven by Ms. Kirkland sweeps the reader into Harriet's world. The breathtaking descriptions of the Texas wildernes and the vulnurability of a womand left alone to fend for herself and her children encompasses the reader and transports them away. I first read the book as a 12 year old in 7th grade. It inspired me then and inspires me still tody. Everyone should read it.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: My mother knew Elithe Hamilton Kirkland when she was in college. When I was 11 years old my mom bought Elithe's book ... & had her sign it for me November 1981. I have kept the book with me as I've moved, married and grown up, although I didn't read it until the end of last year, 2002, 21 years later. I don't know why I waited so long! I guess I just wasn't ready... What a wonderful tribute Elithe completed when she made Harriet the Brave's story available to all for eternity. I learned about real challenges & tragic circumstances during the time when Texas became a Republic. I learned no matter what happened, Harriet overcame. She & Elithe are an inspiration to all women. If you're considering this book, please buy it & make it yours! For those of you who are curious, here is what Elithe (1910-1992) wrote to me many years ago: "For Melinda Darlene (who shares my Aquarian Birthday), Young Woman of the Future in time, you will come to know Harriet the Brave and Beautiful - to know her well and to love her! I predict that you and this Kishi Woman of Caddo Lake will be seekers of Truth and Tejas forever! Elithe Hamilton Kirkland, Kyle (at the Allen Bend of the Blanco), Texas, November 28, 1981" If you'd like to know more about Elithe Hamilton Kirkland, ref: http://www.library.swt.edu/swwc/archives/writers/kirkland.html
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book
Review: My mother knew Elithe Hamilton Kirkland when she was in college. When I was 11 years old my mom bought Elithe's book ... & had her sign it for me November 1981. I have kept the book with me as I've moved, married and grown up, although I didn't read it until the end of last year, 2002, 21 years later. I don't know why I waited so long! I guess I just wasn't ready... What a wonderful tribute Elithe completed when she made Harriet the Brave's story available to all for eternity. I learned about real challenges & tragic circumstances during the time when Texas became a Republic. I learned no matter what happened, Harriet overcame. She & Elithe are an inspiration to all women. If you're considering this book, please buy it & make it yours! For those of you who are curious, here is what Elithe (1910-1992) wrote to me many years ago: "For Melinda Darlene (who shares my Aquarian Birthday), Young Woman of the Future in time, you will come to know Harriet the Brave and Beautiful - to know her well and to love her! I predict that you and this Kishi Woman of Caddo Lake will be seekers of Truth and Tejas forever! Elithe Hamilton Kirkland, Kyle (at the Allen Bend of the Blanco), Texas, November 28, 1981" If you'd like to know more about Elithe Hamilton Kirkland, ref: http://www.library.swt.edu/swwc/archives/writers/kirkland.html
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Summary: Love Is a Wild Assault
Review: One of the librarians shared this book with me thinking that I might like it. I was so overcome by this book. If anyone thinks that they have it bad in life, I would recommend that they read this book. "Love Is a Wild Assault" has a certain charm. It's many adventures grab at your heart. I was impressed with the idea that this book was based on the life of a real person, a true Texas pioneer, and hero. I have read sections of this book to my children, written about it in my journal, and share it with my book buddies. It's unforgettable!
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: The most talented fiction writers would be severely challenged to create anything as fantastic as this multi-faceted true account of a phsycian's daughter from Tennessee rising to prominence with the first secretary of the Texas Navy and the struggle for independence from Mexico. Rich in the human condition and Texas Republic history. Roy L. Fish, author of ICEMAN
Rating:
Summary: One of three best books I've read.
Review: This book is based on the actual memoirs of Harriet Potter Ames. It is factually accurate, which I have found to be rare for historical fiction. Having said that, this is one of the three best books I have ever read. A friend recommended it to me as I flew to New York City, considering a move from Texas. This book helped to convince me to stay in Texas. This is a beautifully written story of the "Bravest Woman in Texas", and the struggles she overcame to raise a family and settle a home in the early days of the Texas Republic. It is a true story, and there is a monument to her in Smithland, Texas, as well as an annual celebration day for her at Potter's Point on Caddo Lake. This story is re-enacted in a one woman play at the site where the events occured. Fascinating reading, I recommend it for everyone, regardless of any individual taste in history, fiction, etc.
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