Soon to be a Major Motion Picture Starring Emmy Award Winner and Oscar Nominee Viola Davis; "An eye-opening look at the little-explored area of a black frontier woman in the American West." --Chicago Sun-Times Praised by Alice Walker and many other bestselling writers, The Personal History of Rachel DuPree is an award-winning debut novel with incredible heart about life on the prairie as it's rarely been seen. Reminiscent of The Color Purple, as well as the frontier novels of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Willa Cather, it opens a window on the little-known history of African American homesteaders and gives voice to an extraordinary heroine who embodies the spirit that built America.
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"A great tale of a strong woman who lived during early 1900's in Badlands. She marries an ambitious exsoldier who only marries her to make a homestead claim. Owning land is the most important thing to her while Rachel loves her family and Isaac and finally makes a decision to leave him to make a better life for her children."
— Lschneier (4 out of 5 stars)
“An eye-opening look at the little explored area of a black frontier woman in the American west.”
— Chicago Sun Times" I connected with Rachel as a character right away, and I love depictions of early 20th century Chicago and early 20th century frontier. I hadn't read a lot about African American settlers, and this is an engaging, evocative depiction. "
— Sarah, 2/15/2014" Average. Felt like it ended abrubtly. "
— Ange, 2/14/2014" An enjoyable read touching on the lives of blacks in Chicago and then the West at the beginning of the 20th century. "
— Maria, 2/11/2014" I usually don't post my impressions of a book club book before the meeting but I really loved this book. I am sure after the meeting I will appreciate it even more. 4 1/2 stars. "
— Lisa, 2/3/2014" So far I'm mostly concerned about the fact that this novel was written by a white woman via the POV of an African-American woman. "
— Rebecca, 1/22/2014" This book was a great slice of history of the west you don't often hear about. "
— Theresa, 1/20/2014" I won this in the First Reads giveaway! It was an excellent book, very compelling reading. It left me curious to find out more about black homesteaders, settling the Badlands, and race riots during the World War I era. "
— Donna, 1/11/2014" I'd give it 3.5 stars if I could. "
— Nancy, 7/4/2013" Characters were complex and human, the story well written. I championed for and against the protagonists at various times. "
— Eboni, 4/2/2013" I enjoyed this book, but it petered out at the end, which was disappointing "
— Susan, 1/17/2013" CLICK HERE to find "The Personal History of Rachel DuPree: A Novel" in Bismarck Public Library's online catalog. "
— Bismarck, 8/1/2012" Not to happy with the ending. "
— Puchtelld, 4/29/2012" A story of a black woman married to a proud man, living with a number of chidren in harsh drought conditions in the Badlands, where they have homesteaded. Good story! "
— Cathy, 3/31/2012" It was like Sarah, Plain and Tall, if she were African-American. I enjoyed it. I especially liked how the Badlands of South Dakota was a character. "
— Brielle, 3/27/2012" I realized I went to bed worrying because of this book. Farmers/ranchers have to worry, and she had a lot to worry about. So I hurried and finished it quickly. Really liked it! "
— Kirsten, 10/28/2011" Best book I've read in a while (I read it in one sitting, it is that good). "
— Helene, 9/18/2011" Unsatisfying but not a bad story. "
— Erika, 3/28/2011" Interesting historical fiction story about a black couple who homesteaded in the Badlands and what life was like for Rachel and her family. It was an interesting perspective. "
— Gail, 11/30/2010Ann Weisgarber was born and raised in Kettering, Ohio. She was a social worker before earning a master’s degree in sociology at the University of Houston and becoming a teacher. She divides her time between Sugar Land and Galveston, Texas.
Myra Lucretia Taylor is an award-winning actress who has appeared on Broadway, off Broadway, in many theaters across the country, and internationally. Her television and film credits include Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Atlanta, The Big Sick, Bushwick, and Catfight.