Wicked Women

Wicked cool book!! I liked how there are pictures also! These women are real badasses and I wish we could still live like outlaws out west

cover58301-mediumWhen one thinks of the Wild American West, one likely thinks of names like Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and Wild Bill Hickock. Only slightly less remembered are names like Calamity Jane and Big Nose Kate. In most saloons across the Western States women called many of the shots at the card tables and many ran the brothels as Madams. In Chris Enss' new book, Wicked Women: Notorious, Mischievous and Wayward Ladies from the Old West the tales of some of the most scandalous women of the day come forward to take their place at the table.

Enss compiles tales from San Francisco to Deadwood, and all the places in between. Women like Squirrel Tooth Alice (named for her pet prairie dogs), Tessie Walls and Belle Cora lead houses of ill repute and gambling better than any man of their day. What they all seemed to succumb to was the love of a wicked man. Many of the women started out as mothers and homemakers, only to be left completely alone when their man skipped out on them or died at the hands of the law. These women took matters into their own hands, and by doing so their incomes.

Enss' writing is comprehensive, as well as sympathetic. While she never hides the crimes of these women, she does tell of them in an entertaining way that finds the reader nose deep in the book and unable to turn away. It is difficult to put down Wicked Women and even more difficult not to talk to those around you about it.

Wicked Women: Notorious, Mischievous and Wayward Ladies from the Old West is a delightful look into the Old American West for those who want to read a history that isn't just menfolk at the OK Corral.

Wicked Women: Notorious, Mischievous and Wayward Ladies from the Old West is available from Global Pequot Press February 24, 2015.

What a great read. Ms Enss has done extensive research and provides so much information regarding the many women whose stories she tells. There is no end to the snippets of life and death of these amazing women. While much has been made of the men of this period, this book dwells on the women that put their unique signature on the area and time.
Whether you oppose prostitution or not, this book tells of the hazards and hardships faced by women in the “wild west” , “gold rush” time. Keeping your mind open, these are stories of what drove desperate women into the oldest profession. What many forget is that the privileges women have today were founded in these stories from history. Make no mistake, this is history.
My interest in this book was not determined by the fact that I was born in the USA but rather the detailed writing style and research invested in the telling.
It is my understanding that she has written other books which I am keen to have a read of. Ms Enss herself is a remarkably diverse individual who is into a bit of everything.
Very grateful to the publishers for the opportunity to read this ARC!

What a fascinating look back at some of the most rebellions and independent women in history. Chris Enss does an amazing job of research and presenting these women's story without judgement. I was so fascinating by these Madames,Gamblers, and hard living women. How brave to take their destiny in their own hands during a time when there were over little options for women in businesses. At times sad, I couldn't tear myself away.

What a great look at the wicked women of the West. Educational and highly entertaining! Why has no one thought of writing this before?

Well researched short bios of many of the women in the "old" west. It was an interesting read and had great information.

Review will be posted March 27 Wicked Women is the story of the Notorious, Mischievous, and Wayward Ladies from the Old West. I'm not sure what it is that draws me to these type of books, but I just love reading about some bad ass ladies from history. There are 28 ladies featured in this book from "The Deadly Paramour" to "The Hungarian Madam" to "The Outcast's Friend" and everything in between.

Each chapter starts with the woman's name, her nickname and then a quote about them. Photos are also included. Each chapter is only about 10 pages so it has to pack a lot of information in on each of the ladies.

One of the stories was about Julia Bulette - who was murdered but the scene was set in such a way that it looked like she was sleeping. No one was sure who had killed her, until a woman who had bought some silk that may have been stolen from Julia turned up. After checking with who sold Julia the silk they identified it as hers and Mrs Cazentre who now was in ownership of the silk was able to ID the guy who had sold it to her. He was found guilty of murder and sentenced to be hanged. So many people showed up to watch it was hard for them to get the carriage down the street!

It seemed like a lot of these ladies got wrapped up in gambling in the old west.

A lot of fascinating stories from the old west!

I received a free e-copy of this book in order to write this review. I was not otherwise compensated.

May I first say, well done to Chris Enss. What a delightful book. Its long overdue that women have their due acknowledgment to all their contributions in the old west. This is such fun and a well researched definitive look at brave, gutsy independent women that formed the west. I loved it. Long tired of the stories of same old male hero's, I knew that women were behind all the men and calling the shots. It was thrilling to read about their abilities and gumption. This is very well done. thank you for the advance reading copy.

This is a delightful book that takes you back to days past where you are reminded that evil is not so new, it's just in a different time. I love reading about true crime, especially historical crime and this book provides a plethora of crimes that women committed in the Old West. The Old West is commonly associated with men, but women were just as much gunslingers, whiskey-drinkin,' and mouth-spittin,' as their predecessors. This book will open your eyes to horrors committed by women who seem to be born evil, and some who chose to be that way, due to their circumstances they found themselves in, or their environment they grew up in.

I enjoyed this book. I thought it was an interesting take on the Wild West. Criminal women in those days are often not talked about and a lot of the focus is put on the more famous male criminals such as Jesse James or Pistol Pete. Some of the stories of these women were similar and I think it started to feel repetitive towards the end of the book. All in all, I think it's a really fun and interesting historical read.

“Wicked Women” is a fun read that also includes a wealth of little-known history. It’s obviously well-researched and written from a point of love of the wild west. The stories feature a wide variety of women whose stories will have you laughing and horrified, sometimes both at the same time.

I definitely recommend “Wicked Women” for anyone with an interest in women’s history, the wild west, or even history in general. It’s an easy read that can appeal to anyone.

This book is a little different from the romance, YA and NA books I've been reading lately. It was like a breath of fresh air to read about all these strong and amazing women, who made their place in history by making their life in the Wild West.

The book seems well-researched, and each woman was described in a vivid and entertaining manner. Bios can be dry, this wasn't. Each chapter was about one woman, and the author managed to pack the important facts into each chapter to bring the person to life and telling a story.

I love unique history and this one is one of the best books on some of the most unique parts of the old west history out there. I was so glad that the author did not shy away from any part of this subject matter. Highly recommend this book!

A lively compendium of naughty ladies--some by choice, a vast majority by circumstance. They took hold of the Old West and by and large bent it to their will. Prostitutes, madams, and gamblers fill these pages, and each and every story is bold, straightforward, and understanding. There are some proofreading errors.