The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chanc

Description: The Ride of Her Life by Elizabeth Letts The triumphant true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean, from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion.NATIONAL BESTSELLER .The #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion presents a "heartwarming and engaging folk-hero biography" (Kirkus Reviews) of a woman who fulfilled her lifelong wish to see the Pacific Ocean by riding her horse across America." Letts vividly portrays an audacious woman whose optimism, courage, and good humor are to be marveled at and admired."-Booklist, starred reviewIn 1954, sixty-three-year-old Maine farmer Annie Wilkins embarked on an impossible journey. She had no money and no family, she had just lost her farm, and her doctor had given her only two years to live. But Annie wanted to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. She ignored her doctors advice to move into the county charity home. Instead, she bought a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, donned mens dungarees, and headed south in mid-November, hoping to beat the snow. Annie had little idea what to expect beyond her rural crossroads; she didnt even have a map. But she did have her ex-racehorse, her faithful mutt, and her own unfailing belief that Americans would treat a stranger with kindness.Annie, Tarzan, and her dog, Depeche Toi, rode straight into a world transformed by the rapid construction of modern highways. Between 1954 and 1956,the three travelers pushed through blizzards, forded rivers, climbed mountains, and clung to the narrow shoulder as cars whipped by them at terrifying speeds. Annie rode more than four thousand miles, through Americas big cities and small towns. Along the way, she met ordinary people and celebrities-from Andrew Wyeth (who sketched Tarzan) to Art Linkletter and Groucho Marx. She received many offers-a permanent home at a riding stable in New Jersey, a job at a gas station in rural Kentucky, even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher. In a decade when car ownership nearly tripled, when televisions influence was expanding fast, when homeowners began locking their doors, Annie and her four-footed companions inspired an outpouring of neighborliness in a rapidly changing world. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Author Biography Elizabeth Lettsis the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and The Perfect Horse, which won the PEN Award for Research Nonfiction, and The Ride of Her Life. She is also the author of the novels Finding Dorothy, Quality of Care, and Family Planning. She lives inWyomingMaryland and Northern Michigan. Review "Twenty pages of notes and a Bibliography attest to the serious and thorough research by the author who travelled ten thousand miles to research this story. . . . What is so appealing about this nutball adventure is that the reader is taken on a trip across the United States."—New York Journal of Books "Heartwarming."—AARP"Elizabeth Lettss gift is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip: selecting your route from a gas station map, enduring awful weather and accidents, hearing the creak of the saddle and the roar of the trucks that pass you by. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now."—Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv"This poignant, inspiring story is not just about a woman choosing to live instead of die, but also about an America that no longer exists."—Melanie Benjamin, author of The Childrens Blizzard"A love story on so many levels—from the menagerie that was with her every step of the way, to the kindness of strangers who opened their homes to help Annie complete this ride of her life—this book will tear at your heartstrings from beginning to end. I loved it, and so will you!"—Robin Hutton, author of Sgt. Reckless: Americas War Horse"Annie Wilkins was an American original, and The Ride of Her Life gives her the tribute she deserves. Elizabeth Letts has created an indelible account of hope, loyalty, generosity, and sheer grit—and the power of a woman doing something just because she wants to do it."—Matthew Goodman, author of Eighty Days"There is sly wisdom in Annie Wilkinss simple journey: Keep faith in yourself and animals, trust in strangers, dismiss all the downers, and always live as if you just received a mortal diagnosis. Letts honors her subjects…with an authors hand and a historians eye."—Ken Ilgunas, author of Trespassing Across America"Thanks to deeply sourced research and her own travels along Wilkins route, Letts vividly portrays an audacious woman whose optimism, courage, and good humor are to be marveled at and admired. Upbeat and touching, Wilkins story is the perfect pandemic escapist read."—Booklist(starred review)"This engaging folk-hero biography, which follows Wilkins throughout her grand adventure, also touches on the cultural history of mid-20th-century America…A heartwarming and nostalgic book to appeal to horse lovers and fans of the authors previous books."—Kirkus Reviews"This is a feel-good story in every way, and Letts keeps the momentum lively, sprinkling in interesting historical tidbits that enrich the drama. The Ride of Her Life is an altogether quirky, inspiring journey thats not to be missed."—BookPage (starred review) Review Quote "Twenty pages of notes and a Bibliography attest to the serious and thorough research by the author who travelled ten thousand miles to research this story. . . . What is so appealing about this nutball adventure is that the reader is taken on a trip across the United States." --New York Journal of Books "Heartwarming." -- AARP "Elizabeth Lettss gift is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip: selecting your route from a gas station map, enduring awful weather and accidents, hearing the creak of the saddle and the roar of the trucks that pass you by. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now." --Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv "This poignant, inspiring story is not just about a woman choosing to live instead of die, but also about an America that no longer exists." --Melanie Benjamin, author of The Childrens Blizzard "A love story on so many levels--from the menagerie that was with her every step of the way, to the kindness of strangers who opened their homes to help Annie complete this ride of her life--this book will tear at your heartstrings from beginning to end. I loved it, and so will you!" --Robin Hutton, author of Sgt. Reckless: Americas War Horse "Annie Wilkins was an American original, and The Ride of Her Life gives her the tribute she deserves. Elizabeth Letts has created an indelible account of hope, loyalty, generosity, and sheer grit--and the power of a woman doing something just because she wants to do it." --Matthew Goodman, author of Eighty Days "There is sly wisdom in Annie Wilkinss simple journey: Keep faith in yourself and animals, trust in strangers, dismiss all the downers, and always live as if you just received a mortal diagnosis. Letts honors her subjects...with an authors hand and a historians eye." --Ken Ilgunas, author of Trespassing Across America "Thanks to deeply sourced research and her own travels along Wilkins route, Letts vividly portrays an audacious woman whose optimism, courage, and good humor are to be marveled at and admired. Upbeat and touching, Wilkins story is the perfect pandemic escapist read." -- Booklist (starred review) "This engaging folk-hero biography, which follows Wilkins throughout her grand adventure, also touches on the cultural history of mid-20th-century America...A heartwarming and nostalgic book to appeal to horse lovers and fans of the authors previous books." -- Kirkus Reviews "This is a feel-good story in every way, and Letts keeps the momentum lively, sprinkling in interesting historical tidbits that enrich the drama. The Ride of Her Life is an altogether quirky, inspiring journey thats not to be missed." --BookPage (starred review) Excerpt from Book Winter is not a season . . . its an industry. -- Details ISBN0525619348 Author Elizabeth Letts Short Title The Ride of Her Life Pages 336 Language English Year 2022 ISBN-10 0525619348 ISBN-13 9780525619345 Format Paperback Publication Date 2022-06-07 DEWEY 636.10092 Publisher Random House USA Inc Imprint Ballantine Books Inc. Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States AU Release Date 2022-06-07 NZ Release Date 2022-06-07 US Release Date 2022-06-07 UK Release Date 2022-06-07 Illustrations Maps Illustrator Camilla Ru Birth 1939 Death 1966 Affiliation Harvard University Position Professor of the History of Science Qualifications M.D. Subtitle The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:157785323;

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