Books with title A Lantern in Her Hand

Of a pioneer woman, her life on the prairie, and the cheerful courage and sturdy faith that were her companions, Bess Aldrich has written a rich and memorable novel. Abbie Deal, brought up in a log cabin in Iowa, took the covered wagon trial to Nebraska as a young bride. There she lived in a rude shelter on the prairie, raised her young family and companioned her husband through all the heart-breaking struggles of the pioneer days. In this book is to be found the throbbing heartbeat of pioneer America. Here, indeed, is an inspiring story that has captured the hearts of thousands of readers.

Copyright 1928. Rebound in 1966. SYNOPSIS: "Abbie Mackenzie was eight in the year 1854, when her family headed to Blackhawk County, Iowa in two covered wagons. Her mother had been a peasant woman married to landed gentry. But Mr. Mackenzie lost all his money in the village of Chicago so the family with their three girls and three boys headed west where they built a log cabin. In 1862, President Lincoln called for volunteers and many boys went to fight the war. One of these was Will Deal whom Abbie married in 1865 after he got out of the army. They tried living in the Deal home but it was difficult as Mrs. Deal was a chronic grumbler. Their first child was born in 1867. So in 1868 they decided the time was ripe for them to find their own home in Nebraska which was shortly after it became a state. They bought their land 'sight unseen'. The rest of the story is of Abbie Deal, who finds her reward later in life after raising a home for her children and grandchildren, her life on the prairie, and the courage and faith that carried her through the most heartbreaking struggles." Blue cloth over board with white lettering on spine, 307 pages. Corners and spine edges are slightly worn with library note and sticker at lower spine, Library cardholder/checkout sheet and stamps/notations on front pages. Occasional small smudge or pencil mark. Binding is secure.

The University of Nebraska Press described this book as: First published in 1928, A Lantern in Her Hand has outlasted literary fashions to touch generations of readers. In this classic story of a pioneer woman, Bess Streeter Aldrich modeled protagonist Abbie Deal on her own mother, who in 1854 had traveled by covered wagon to the Midwest. In A Lantern in Her Hand, Abbie accompanies her family to the soon-to-be-state of Nebraska. There, in 1865, she marries and settles into her own sod house. The novel describes Abbie's years of child-raising, of making a frontier home able to withstand every adversity. A Disciplined writer knowledgeable about true stories of pioneer days in Nebraska, Bess Streeter Aldrich conveys the strength of everyday things, the surprise of familiar faces, and the look of the unspoiled landscape during different seasons. Refusing to be broken by hard experience, Abbie sets a joyful example for her family—and for her readers.

This rich and memorable novel is a story of courage and faith in an era of greatness. Abbie Deal, brought up in a log cabin in Iowa, rode the covered wagon trail to Nebraska as a young bride. She lived in sod huts on the prairies, raised a large and active family, and gave inspration and love to her husband through the heartbreaking struggles of pioneer days. At last, in her old age, Abbie saw her efforts bear splendid fruit in her children and grandchildren. With a lantern in her hand, she had gone forth into the darkness to light the way for future generations.