A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains

by Isabella L. Bird Narrated by LibriVox Community

Overview

Isabella Bird began travelling while in her early twenties to help alleviate illness that had plagued her since childhood. She was a single woman in her early forties when she made her treck through the Rocky Mountains. A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains details this fascinating account of her travels through a series of letters written to her sister, Henrietta. These letters are filled with beautiful, vivid descriptions of the scenery, the people she encountered, the way of life, and a mountain man named Jim Nugent, that was as rough as they come, but a complete gentleman with Ms. Bird. She has the distinction of being the first woman to become a member of the Royal Geographical Society in 1892. (Summary by Laura Caldwell)

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Venture deep into the Colorado wilderness, and you will find her long-lasting legacy in the community of people choosing to live a life without limits . . . Isabella inspired a generation of Victorian women to dare to be bold, and her spirit lives on—Ruby Wax, Guardian

There never was anybody who had adventures as well as Miss Bird—Spectator

This book is an unputdownable record of a truly astounding journey—Dervla Murphy, Irish Times

The adventure inspired her travel book, A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, which became my bible as we revered this incredible woman in the Colorado wilderness—Ruby Wax, Guardian

A forty-something British woman rode for 800 miles through the Rockies, consorting with pioneers, consumptives and desperadoes as she went. The result was A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains, an instant bestseller at the time, and a classic of travel literature to this day—Independent

There never was anybody who had adventures as well as Miss Bird—SPECTATOR

This book is an unputdownable record of a truly astounding journey—Dervla Murphy, Irish Times

NOVEMBER 2023 - AudioFile

What a treat it is to listen to Clare Wille perform this engrossing narrative by nineteenth-century British travel writer and naturalist Isabella Bird. The audiobook consists of a series of letters that Bird wrote to her sister during Bird's travels throughout the American West in the late nineteenth century. Wille's wonderfully expressive tone, bright English intonation, and exceptionally clear enunciation accentuate Bird's extraordinary writing. Whether by a sharp observation, or a few descriptive sentences, Bird precisely illuminates her adventurous trips by horseback and train, the locals she meets, and the remarkable landscapes and wildlife she views. Wille's wondrous performance transforms this collection into a theatrical experience for the ears. Listeners should be forewarned of language employed for various ethnic groups that will offend contemporary sensibilities. M.J. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169075342
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014
Sales rank:	384,739

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