Review - Women of Spirit by Anne Crawford

Recently I received a book in the mail called WOMEN OF SPIRIT written by Anne Crawford, who, amongst other things, was a former feature writer for The Age newspaper. She’s also a fellow Gippslander. (Yay! Go Gippsland authors!)

This book took my fancy as it details true-life stories of inspiring countrywomen. As I travel around the country, I have had the great fortune to meet a vast number of rural women who cause me to pause and wonder.  Tenacity, resilience and great passion shine from these beautiful people whose ability to just ‘get on with the job’ despite incredible hardships in both a physical and psychological sense, is sometimes enough for me to shed a tear. (Or two or three ...)

And the subjects of this book are no exception. From the dusty outback to the rugged mountains of our own Victorian high country, we track the lives of nine women. Models and mothers. Farmers, filmmakers and governesses. I spent quite a few evenings enjoying reading of these inspiring people who live life to the fullest.

Anne Crawford’s prose is written simply to ensure the stories are an easy, yet interesting read. It’s a book you can pick up and put down at your leisure due to the compartmentalised narrative describing the lives of each of these remarkable Australians. If you enjoy non-fiction, detailing ‘the drama, joys, heartbreak and humour that go with life in the country,’ WOMEN OF SPIRIT is an enjoyable read. One which will stay with you for a while after turning the final page.

Thanks to the generous people at Allen & Unwin, I have one copy of WOMEN OF SPIRIT by Anne Crawford to give away. Comment below and go in the draw to win. My cake tin is waiting for your name, so don’t be shy!

Good Luck!

 

About Anne Crawford

Anne Crawford is an experienced journalist as well as a horse-owner and horse-lover. She has been a feature writer for The Age, The Sunday Age and The Good Weekend for more than 10 years and is co-author of Doctor Hugh: My Life with Animals and Forged with Flames: A True Story of Courage and Survival. Her most recent book, Great Australian Horse Stories was released in 2013. Anne has ridden everywhere from the Victorian High Country to Patagonia to the deserts of Morocco. She now lives in country Victoria where she rides a small mare with a lot of attitude called Poppy.

 

Review
Women of Spirit
Anne Crawford

Comments

Vanessa Hair (not verified)

May 28, 2014 - 3:43pm

Hi Magareta,

I would dearly love to win Women Of Spirit! I have owned and read each and every Book of Sarah Henderson Books (and her Daughter's Books) and loved all of them! I have never read any of Anne Crawford Books, but they certainly sound just as interesting as Sarah's!

Kind Regards
Vanessa

Leila (not verified)

May 28, 2014 - 10:12pm

Hi Margareta
This sounds like an awesome book.
I've not been reading much over the years but now back into it and looking for some inspiring books to read.
Along with the next two of your books of course!
Leila

Gloria (not verified)

May 29, 2014 - 4:43pm

Eat the chocolate cake, or scones, or fruit cake.
Whatever's in there, eat up......and make room for my entry please.
This is one book I look forward to reading, as it's a mix of two of my favourites.......true stories and strong women.

Amanda B (not verified)

May 29, 2014 - 5:54pm

Hi Margareta,

What a great review of Women of Spirit, I would love a copy of this book. Tales of rural life, especially real life ones are always inspiring. I find them captivating to read as they are so very different to my life as a Mum in the Perth suburbs.

Thank you for the giveaway!

Anonymous (not verified)

May 29, 2014 - 6:03pm

All women have spirit they just need one thing....the courage to find it!

Julie (not verified)

May 29, 2014 - 6:42pm

I would love to be picked out of your cake tin for this one - stories of Australian women about what they do best has to be a great read

Yvette (not verified)

May 29, 2014 - 8:06pm

Pop me in you cake tin. I'd love to read it

dean jamieson (not verified)

June 29, 2014 - 11:18pm

Women of country and remote areas are often overlooked. Many were often the family glue, dealing with issues unknown to men. I would love to read their stories of hardships and triumphs

Anne Crawford (not verified)

August 12, 2014 - 3:35pm

Wow! I have just discovered this lovely review of my book - I'm so chuffed that it's on your website, Margareta!!
And you're another Gippsland gal!
I had a ball writing the book, travelling round parts of Australia to talk to the women in it. Yes, they really are inspiring, all different in their own ways.
I hope that whoever came out of the cake tin first enjoyed it.
Thank you, and must get in touch.
Anne Crawford

Beverley Simmonds (not verified)

May 2, 2015 - 11:02pm

Have just finished reading Ralf, an amazing story by Anne Crawford about a hospital therapy dog. It was a wonderful book, very informative but incredibly moving at the same time.
I would love to have a copy of Women of Spirit, I am sure it will be an exceptional read. Someone should consider writing a book on Anne Crawford, it would sell like hot cakes! I am definitely hooked.
.

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