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Trials of the Earth

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Description

The astonishing first-person account of Mississippi pioneer woman struggling to survive, protect her family, and make a home in the early American South. Near the end of her life, Mary Mann Hamilton (1866 - c.1936) began recording her experiences in the backwoods of the Mississippi Delta. The result is this astonishing first-person account of a pioneer woman who braved grueling work, profound tragedy, and a pitiless wilderness (she and her family faced floods, tornadoes, fires, bears, panthers, and snakes) to protect her home in the early American South. An early draft of Trials of the Earth was submitted to a writers' competition sponsored by Little, Brown in 1933. It didn't win, and we almost lost the chance to bring this raw, vivid narrative to readers. Eighty- three years later, in partnership with Mary Mann Hamilton's descendants, we're proud to share this irreplaceable piece of American history. Written in spare, rich prose, Trials of the Earth is a precious record of one woman's extraordinary endurance and courage that will resonate with readers of history and fiction alike. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Paperbacks


Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 3, 2017


Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Print length ‏ : ‎ 337 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316341371


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 70


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.9 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.85 x 8.25 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #227,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #948 in Women's Biographies #1,139 in U.S. State & Local History #4,582 in Memoirs (Books)


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • It has reminded me not to whine!
Format: Paperback
Couldn’t put this one down! This highly detailed memoir will draw you into a portion of American history that many not be aware of. It’s the true story of grit and determination told in Mary Hamilton’s own voice describing unbelievable situations for her and her family living in the Mississippi Delta region. It has reminded me not to whine about trivial things! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2026 by Choosy
    • True account of a female pioneer in Mississippi Delta in 1800s.
Format: Kindle
Really interesting memoir of a young woman who settled in the Mississippi Delta in the late 1800s. In her own words, this narrative describes her life and the many hardships she and her family went through. Life was so difficult then, but she was strong and tough and optimistic, she worked extremely hard, and she survived until old age. This is a true picture of pioneer life, the early timber camps in the south, and the joys and sorrows and dangers these early settlers lived through. Very thought provoking! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2016 by E. P.
    • Remarkable first hand account of a life of toilet and quiet heroism
Format: Kindle
This is the first hand account of a pioneering woman who lived in the untamed Mississippi Delta during the years of its early development. She married an Englishman with a mysterious background, the story of which he took to the grave. This book tells of the trials, some of them very terrible, endured during their married life as the author, Mary Hamilton, made a home for her family under often trying and sometimes tragic circumstances. Mother of nine, five of whom survived to adulthood, Mary would sadly never have a home that was truly her own, although this was her fondest dream. Instead, she did her very best to make comfortable and happy whatever temporary abode that her family occupied. As a young wife, she ran boarding houses, cooking for dozens of men daily while raising her little children. Later, she kept house for her growing family while working long days in the fields. The amount of work that she performed day in and day out was truly stupendous, but she considered it vital that she be cheerful and uncomplaining for the sake of her children. They all learned at an early age to work alongside their mother, considering helping her something of which they could be very proud. Their hard-working father was often away from home, leaving, of necessity, his wife alone in a wild country to cope with wolves, destructive storms, primitive living conditions, births and deaths. Mary's indomitable spirit prevailed over circumstances that would have brought paralyzing despair to a lesser woman as she lost child after child, nursed a husband who was often ill during the early years of their marriage, endured poverty, and always, was forced into backbreaking work simply to provide the basic necessities for her family. This unassuming woman's account of everyday life in a wilderness is remarkable in its rich details, colorful cast of characters, and I lessons for modern life, among them: No more whining!!!! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2019 by bam
    • A Remarkable Life
Format: Kindle
What an amazing story of Mary Mann Hamilton's life. She was a woman of great strength and fortitude. It is hard to even comprehend the hardships that she went through and woke up to do it all again the next day. To birth babies and lose babies but put it into perspective and keep going. Regardless of being separated from her husband Frank, she always loved him and missed him. In my opinion, she and Frank loved each other very much, and that love included their children. I was sad for her when Frank died and could feel her pain. What amazing children they raised. They worked almost as hard as their parents. As a pioneer, life was a struggle just to have food, water, a roof over your head, and to eke out a living. This story will stay within my heart for a long time! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2024 by Kindle Customer
    • Great Story
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book because it was mentioned on an NPR show and it tweaked the history enthusiast in me. It was well written by an aging mother with many heartfelt stories of her struggles taming the wilderness in logging camps where she would go years without seeing another women or children other than her own. I was struck that even though she grieved deeply over the loss of several children, it was simply thought to be the way of things. Even when her doctor (and friend) accidentally poisoned her son, she bore no ill will towards the doctor. It was like she appreciated that doctors were not to be taken for granted in the wilderness. Children are born and children die. Their chances are better with a doctor around even if he make occasional mistakes. Such a contrast from the TV commercials we see today, "Can't you think of someone to sue?" The story was very real and very touching. I'd like to read more period stories from real people like this one. They make you appreciate your own life much more. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 26, 2016 by Vic Oeftering
    • Good history lesson; not a page turner though
Format: Hardcover
An excellent look at pioneering. Like the TRUE stories of Little House on the Prairie. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars. It reads almost like fiction when you account for the numerous trials this family faced. Also, it is almost unfathomable the grit and hard work required to make a living during this time. I'm glad I read the book for that reason. However, I must say it was somewhat of a chore to read. It took me a while to really get into the characters, but I eventually did. I cried when there were deaths. Frank probably had the most dimension of any of the characters. I never quite knew what he was going to do next. I didn't trust him but did trust him at the same time. I'm sure that's how Mary felt too. For most of the book it was an endless cycle of move the family, suffer tragedy, move the family, suffer tragedy, and on and on. Also, I did not care for the titles of the chapters as they gave away what was going to happen in that chapter. The ending was really good and made up for some of the tedious middle of the book. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2017 by FourBoyMom
    • Trials of the Hamilton family
Format: Hardcover
I enjoyed most of this book with all the familiar names of places I've heard and seen most of my life. Some parts were hard to appreciate with children learning to cuss their parents at or before the age of 5. I know times were tough then for families trying to do the best they could but discipline apparently was not a part of this family's values. Overall it was a good story of a family who stuck together and worked hard together. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2016 by NMarieNealkindle Customer
    • Real
Format: Kindle
This is a real story about real people. Don’t expect anything beyond that. There is no mystery to reveal. It’s just about hard living.
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2026 by JES

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