Trials of the Earth

The True Story of a Pioneer Woman

By: Mary Mann Hamilton

Narrated by: Barbara Benjamin Creel

The astonishing first-person account of Mississippi pioneer woman struggling to survive, protect her family, and make a home in the early American South.

Near the end of her life, Mary Mann Hamilton (1866 - c.1936) began recording her experiences in the backwoods of the Mississippi Delta. The result is this astonishing first-person account of a pioneer woman who braved grueling work, profound tragedy, and a pitiless wilderness (she and her family faced floods, tornadoes, fires, bears, panthers, and snakes) to protect her home in the early American South.

An early draft of Trials of the Earth was submitted to a writers' competition sponsored by Little, Brown in 1933. It didn't win, and we almost lost the chance to bring this raw, vivid narrative to readers. Eighty-three years later, in partnership with Mary Mann Hamilton's descendants, we're proud to share this irreplaceable piece of American history. Written in spare, rich prose, Trials of the Earth is a precious record of one woman's extraordinary endurance and courage that will resonate with readers of history and fiction alike.

Critic reviews

One of the Best Books of the Year, The Chicago Tribune

"It's the backstory that will first grab a reader, but it's Hamilton's gift for storytelling in her blunt voice that makes this memoir such a standout. . . . Beyond everything else, this memoir impresses on readers just how easy it was to vanish in an earlier America.... How fortunate that the manuscript of Trials of the Earth didn't meet that same fate."—Maureen Corrigan, NPR's Fresh Air

"A riveting and instructive read.... Hamilton is a natural-born storyteller.... [Her] first-person accounts are important testimonials about what used to be."—Melanie Kirkpatrick, Wall Street Journal

"Magnificent. Told with precision and searing honesty, Hamilton's captivating and cinematic autobiography deserves to be a classic."—Ann Weisgarber, author of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree and The Promise

"Wherever there is men's work, you can bet women's work is happening invisibly in the background. Trials of the Earth is a firsthand account of this backbreaking labor.... It's impossible not to root for this woman."—Amy Gentry, Chicago Tribune

"A reminder of how punishing the physical struggle could be, and how unspeakably lonely a woman's life was when men were clearing the land."—Rosellen Brown, New York Times Book Review

"This compelling, no-frills posthumous memoir...reveals the hidden nature of late 19th century American life.... Mary's unsentimental story crackles with personality, putting a face on the unsung, nameless tillers of the soil."—Publishers Weekly

"Draws the reader right into the hardscrabble minutiae of the daily struggle for survival on an untamed and unforgiving frontier.... Hamilton's rich personal tapestry is a testament to endurance and to the indomitable spirit of the often overlooked American pioneer woman."
—Margaret Flanagan, Booklist

"A unique story."
—Crystal Goldman, Library Journal

"Hamilton's matter-of-factness wins you over almost immediately, and unexpectedly.... Most remarkably, this book somehow enables a reader not to feel abject guilt at complaining about the temperature of their latte, but only a genuine gratefulness and admiration for those who went before."—Kim Ode, Minneapolis Star Tribune

"Fast-paced, inspirational and fascinating.... Mary Mann Hamilton's life was an endurance test and Trials of the Earth is her remarkable story.... Modern women will marvel at Hamilton's grueling daily schedule.... There are valuable lessons to be gleaned from Hamilton's pioneer code of conduct."—Patricia Dawn Robertson, Toronto Star

Captivating!

The fabulous narrator brings this story to life, as if you're right there living alongside Mary Hamilton. I'm sure reading the book would be good, but Barbara Benjamin-Creel turns it into a riveting account of pioneer life. The hardships and friendships are palpable. Each character is infused with personality through Ms. Benjamin-Creel's talented telling of the tale. I dragged out the last hour and a half, not wanting it to end. That's high praise indeed, especially considering this isn't the kind of book I usually choose. I'll definitely be looking for more books narrated by Barbara Benjamin-Creel.

I can't recommend this Audible book highly enough. Gold stars!!!!!!!

An interesting recollection.

A fascinating story, just a little long, but filled with amazing history and harrowing, as well as delightful experiences. Ms. Benjamin-Creel's narration is excellent with each character's voice revealing of his or her nature, making each a believable person, and the story real.

What a great storyteller!

I loved everything about this book - sad but full of gratitude. The stories provide a detailed look at how people lived at the turn of the 20th century; about pioneers living off the land and their wits.

New respect for hard work, hard times

I really enjoyed this. So insightful of the hard times of life. pulls at the heart.

tough people in a tough life

really interesting story of how life was in the early days before modern conveniences..shows in detail how the will to live drives the human spirit in the most sad & tough times..