Search
  Roberta L Smith Books
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Book Trailers
  • Appearances

Review of Silver Dollar

12/22/2012

1 Comment

 
Picture
Horace Tabor
This book was published in 1932 and I read it as research for my next novel.  I have to say I found the book fascinating. It is really more about Horace Tabor than Silver Dollar (his daughter) and very little about Baby Doe (his second wife). Although the author claims solid research, he pretty much follows the legend of the Tabors to the letter. Having read Judy Nolte Temple's "Baby Doe Tabor - The Madwoman in the Cabin", I know his portrait of this family has inaccuracies. Still, I gained a lot of understanding of how Horace earned and lost his fortune. I think the author, Karsner, captured what Horace was about. This American pioneer had a great lust for life. Everything he did, he did in a big way. 

I found the practical first wife, Augusta, very likable. She was only the eleventh woman to live in Denver! Having heard the legend of Baby Doe as a child in Denver which, of course, was a big modern city then, I found this fact intriguing. 

What I didn't like about his book was Karsner's judgmental commentary. Silver Dollar is a tragic character and although what I learned made me sympathetic toward her and filled me with understanding, I didn't get a sympathetic vibe from the author. 

He gave absolutely no depth to Baby Doe. Even though he met with her in her cabin, he didn't ask her pointed questions. He says "I attempt no interview with Baby Doe. It would have been folly to do so. The story had been told to me many times by numerous people, probably with more clarity and authenticity than she could remember it and piece it together . . ." This made me think Karsner was a bit of a jerk. I got the feeling he (remember this book was released in 1932) didn't relate to women. Their personalities and actions are limited and shallow. 

Still, the author was able to bring a tear to my eye. I like how he writes and I'm glad I read this book.

1 Comment
Facebook Marketing Company Chennai link
10/28/2020 02:12:33 am

Eumaxindia - Social Media Marketing Services in Chennai, India - We are an SMM agency specialised in Facebook Marketing Services in Chennai.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Here goes . . .

    I write novels. I've written screenplays, short stories, newsletters, business communications and articles. I'm not great at thank you notes. My sister is, but she doesn't know it. I'm not much for blogging. Don't have something to say worth reading everyday. But this is a blog and we'll see what turns up.   

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    August 2020
    July 2019
    May 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    August 2017
    July 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Book Review
    Ghosts
    Haunted Hotels
    Interview
    Old West Mining Town
    Publicity
    Stanley Hotel
    Virginia City

    RSS Feed

Copyright 2018 - BertaBooks - Roberta L. Smith - All Rights Reserved