The Women: A Family Story

By Kerry William Bate

Family history, usually destined or even designed for limited consumption, is a familiar genre within Mormon culture. Mostly written with little attention to standards of historical scholarship, such works are a distinctly hagiographic form of family memorabilia. But many family sagas in the right hands can prove widely engaging, owing to inherent drama and historical relevance. They can truthfully illuminate larger matters of history, humanity, and culture.

Kerry Bate proceeds on the premise that a story centering on the women of the clan could provide fresh perspective and insight. He portrays real people with well-rounded, flawed characters; builds from deep research; writes with a bit of style; and includes the rich context and detail of these lives. His main subjects are four generations of impressive women: the pioneer Catherine Campbell Steele; her daughter Young Elizabeth, the first Mormon child born in Utah; Kate, an accomplished community leader; and Sarah, a gifted seamstress trapped in an unhappy marriage. To enter their hardscrabble lives in small southern Utah communities is to meet women who pioneered in their own modest but determined ways.

Winner of the Mormon History Association's Best Personal History/Memoir Award.

Interview with Tom Williams on Access Utah

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1607815168
• ISBN13: 9781607815167
• Release Date: November 2016
• Publisher: University of Utah Press
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 2.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 7.4" x 10.2"

Customer Reviews

An incredible perspective of Utah History

The author commands such a genuine voice throughout this work. That he views Utah history through the eyes of generations of women make it particularly personal. It is an erudite piece that still remains touching. The author also subtly captures some of the darker glimpses into this period in history, without turning the stories into editorials. It’s a fascinating work.