Far from Home

One of the enduring myths of the Westward movement is the happy ending: families that survived the arduous journey found a rewarding new life despite hardships. The authors examine the history of three migrant families--everyday people who lived on the Western frontier. Schlissel ( Women's Diaries of the Westward Journey ) tells the story of the Malicks, who emigrated to Oregon from Illinois in 1848. Gibbons writes about the Browns; they left Virginia after the Civil War to wander among the mining camps of Colorado and New Mexico. Hampstein follows the hard times of two German families from Russia--the Nehers and Martins, who came to North Dakota in 1909. Theirs is a story of appalling poverty, feelings of inferiority, lack of communication. These are sad, even tragic tales about women and family life on the frontier. In an afterword, Schlissel discusses mobility and family separation as part of our frontier heritage. A valuable contribution to both women's and Western history. Photos. (Mar.)