"Women's history buffs will find plenty of drama and adventure in this thoroughly researched account of how one family's 'spirit of resilience' helped form the character of the American West."-Publishers Weekly "This is an outstanding tribute to three strong, assured, and fearless women battling long odds to survive and thrive in the West."-Robert Clark, Roundup Magazine "An excellent read, well researched, this book will have broad appeal to academics and lay persons alike."-Dee Garceau, Utah Historical Quarterly "Using family journals, correspondence, and photographs, Burning the Breeze explores the story of three generations of intrepid women in rich and engrossing detail."-Missouri Historical Review "The novel-like feel, inclusive detail, and supplementary photographs make this book an enjoyable read."-Stephanie M. P. Aulner, South Dakota History [ A] remarkable blend of history and biography. Theres a Ken Burns or Willa Catherlike feel of both intimacy and sweep to the storytelling, and a touch of the heroic. When I finished reading, I felt not only as though I knew these women (and was inspired by them) but that I had a deeper understanding of American history.-Susan Neville, author of Fabrication: Essays on Making Things Only enormously gifted women could have won the contest between financial disaster and hard-earned success. This book is a wonderful read. You wont be saddle sore, but you will be thrilled by the ride.-Pierce C. Mullen, professor emeritus of history at Montana State University Julia Bennett sure did burn the breeze as she rode at full speed though a long life. . . . [ Hendrickson] vividly portrays the ups and downs of a remarkable woman, sprinkled with a dash of scandal.-James H. Madison, professor emeritus of history at Indiana University Hendrickson meticulously fleshes out the larger-than-life Bennett, a woman who overcomes financial woes to set up and operate early dude ranches, catering to elite and monied early twentieth-century blue-blood Americans seeking diversion and adventure in the West.-Betsy Gaines Quammen, author of American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God, and Public Lands in the West