Betty Zane: Stories of the Ohio Frontier

For a first novel, Betty Zane, has to rank as one of the best ever done by an inexperienced writer. And why it was rejected so many times is still a question many people must ask themselves after reading this book. Guided by a journal left by his ancestors Zane Grey crafted one of the most notable works about one of the final battles of the American Revolution. Along the way, the reader will encounter many members of the Zane family, Lew Wetzel, and the Girty brothers, all real people; and Betty Zane, the heroine who saves Fort Henry. This book gives you a feeling of what it would have been like to live at that time and in that place. It is only fitting that such a book was the beginning of a literary career unsurpassed in the genre of historical romance. Read this and its two follow up books, The Spirit of the Border, and The Last Trail.

I am 15 years old and I too am a descendant of Betty zane. I read this book after I started my research about my family, and after I had discovered that my ancestors had written books about one another. This book is great even for teens !!! Jessica KingPs. Mrs. Brown if you read this message could you please leave me an e-mail address or something, because I am trying to contact members of my family, and Idiscovered that you are part of it...

In 1972 my father gave me a copy of this book in his efforts to instill in me the joy of reading. I still have that book and still love reading it after all these years. 31 years later I still enjoy it.

Zane Gray is a master of the western tale. His books cover the western expansion from the French and Indian wars right down to the 50's. This particular book is more historical than others, but still rich with action and romance. Don't miss out on this and other books by the "King of the West". I have read nearly all of his 30+ books, and find myself master of all the major and minor events the Western expansion. His plots grow slightly repetative (boy meets girl, ect.)but her never sets his stories in the same year or "territory". His best book is "Riders of the Purple Sage".

As a descendant of Betty Zane, I found the book to be very enjoyable. How exciting it was to picture the everyday life of an ancestor. I know that the book is fiction, but it is also based on events and people who were real. Betty's run for gunpowder, is a documented fact, as was much of the history presented. My Great-Grandfather was a third cousin to Zane Grey, so this makes it even more special. I was not a Zane Grey reader before, as "Western Books" did not interest me. But as soon as I learned of the family connection I headed right for the library to read "Betty Zane" for the first time. I am purchasing a copy for my mother and my 10 year old grandson, as well as for myself. I guess this make me a Zane Grey fan now.

As a lover of the American West, I have read all of Zane Grey's western novels. This book is one of his very best. He combines his usual descriptive scenery as well as historical scenes in a very interesting fashion. As a woman, I believe this is one of his most romantic novels. The innocence of the relationships during this time period is just as exciting as a modern novel. I highly recommend this book as reading for all sexes.