Wicked Women

In the Old West, there weren't many ways for a woman to make her own money. Some turned to prostitution or gambling. This book chronicles several of them, some quite successful and others who died penniless or in despair. Kirsten Potter offers a solid, even-handed narration of this collection of profiles. Her tone practically revels in the success stories, particularly those of the talented gamblers who beat men at their own game. For the stories of downfall, she takes a quiet, respectful tone. The rest of the time she reads evenly and without any note of judgment as she dramatizes the harsh realities that often drove these women's decisions. The short chapters make this book ideal for commuters. R.C.G. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine