Heart of the Trail is a collection of the stories of eight pioneer women and their experiences on the wagon trains going westward. In her introduction, author Mary Barmeyer O'Brien explains the circumstances in the country just prior to and during the westward expansion. She notes that men would write about the mechanical condition of the wagon, finding water, the condition of the stock and how many miles they covered that day, while the women would relate the human side of the experience: who their companions in the train were and what went on their lives, what happened with the children that day, their daily routines, the social activities of the members of the train, the scenery and so forth.

The first story begins with a lost child -- a child left behind when the wagon train pulled out from a wilderness camp. It is the story of Amelia Stewart Knight, who gave birth to her eighth child on the trail.

The story of Julia Anna Archibald tells of a young feminist's challenge to become the first woman to climb to the summit of Pikes Peak. You will have to laugh at this independent woman's decision to wear bloomers because they were more practical than a dress, even though it meant she was the outcast of the wagon train. You will also get a kick out of her attempts to stand guard at night.

The story of ex-slave Clara Brown will touch your heart. She only wanted to find her daughter and agreed to cook for the wagon train if they would allow her to accompany them. Already in her late 50s, she walked the trail west.

Sarah Elanor Bayliss Royce found herself in a life-and-death experience when her husband missed a cutoff trail and they ended up in the desert with no feed for the stock, no water and few rations. Every mother can sympathize with this young woman when she hides a bottle of water for her baby.

Sarah Raymond's trip had been filled with a carefree spirit and cheerful optimism until the end. She suffered two of the greatest losses possible. Still, she tried to keep up her optimism for those around her, in spite of her tears.

Tabitha Moffatt Brown was already a grandmother when she headed westward. Her group was taken on a "shortcut" and almost perished of starvation.

Mary Rockwood Powers made the journey with a crazed husband. His actions got them ousted from more than one group. His poor judgment in selecting draft stock almost brought a horrible end to their entire family.

The story of Ellen Gordon Fletcher reflects the relative ease with which some lucky few made the trip when compared to the most. Although there were hardships, mostly from bugs and weather extremes, their honeymoon trip was filled with bouquets of wild flowers and a comfortable chair for Ellen's ride.

This is a magnificent book of courageous women that were not celebrities -- they were just common, ordinary people. Their stories will warm your heart and you will feel a kindred spirit with them. O'Brien has done a wonderful job of retelling these stories with a descriptive, action-filled narrative that never lets up. I wish this book had been twice as long. Every story thrilled me and I felt like I was right there on the trail with these people.