The Ride of Her Life

The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America

By: Elizabeth Letts

Narrated by: Elizabeth Letts, Tavia Gilbert

Length: 10 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

The triumphant true story of a woman who rode her horse across America in the 1950s, fulfilling her dying wish to see the Pacific Ocean, from the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Perfect Horse and The Eighty-Dollar Champion

“The gift Elizabeth Letts has is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now.” (Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv)

In 1954, 63-year-old Maine farmer Annie Wilkins embarked on an impossible journey. She had no money and no family, she had just lost her farm, and her doctor had given her only two years to live. But Annie wanted to see the Pacific Ocean before she died. She ignored her doctor’s advice to move into the county charity home. Instead, she bought a cast-off brown gelding named Tarzan, donned men’s dungarees, and headed south in mid-November, hoping to beat the snow. Annie had little idea what to expect beyond her rural crossroads; she didn’t even have a map. But she did have her ex-racehorse, her faithful mutt, and her own unfailing belief that Americans would treat a stranger with kindness.

Annie, Tarzan, and her dog, Depeche Toi, rode straight into a world transformed by the rapid construction of modern highways. Between 1954 and 1956, the three travelers pushed through blizzards, forded rivers, climbed mountains, and clung to the narrow shoulder as cars whipped by them at terrifying speeds. Annie rode more than 4,000 miles, through America’s big cities and small towns. Along the way, she met ordinary people and celebrities - from Andrew Wyeth (who sketched Tarzan) to Art Linkletter and Groucho Marx. She received many offers - a permanent home at a riding stable in New Jersey, a job at a gas station in rural Kentucky, even a marriage proposal from a Wyoming rancher. In a decade when car ownership nearly tripled, when television’s influence was expanding fast, when homeowners began locking their doors, Annie and her four-footed companions inspired an outpouring of neighborliness in a rapidly changing world.

©2021 Elizabeth Letts (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Twenty pages of notes and a Bibliography attest to the serious and thorough research by the author who travelled ten thousand miles to research this story.... What is so appealing about this nutball adventure is that the reader is taken on a trip across the United States.” (New York Journal of Books)

“The gift Elizabeth Letts has is that she makes you feel you are the one taking this trip: selecting your route from a gas station map, enduring awful weather and accidents, hearing the creak of the saddle and the roar of the trucks that pass you by. Best of all, you are the one who sees not a country divided and mean-spirited, but rather one full of people eager to console, to care for, and to celebrate the spirit of a woman who would not give up. This is a book we can enjoy always but especially need now.” (Elizabeth Berg, author of The Story of Arthur Truluv) 

“This poignant, inspiring story is not just about a woman choosing to live instead of die, but also about an America that no longer exists.” (Melanie Benjamin, author of The Children’s Blizzard)

Not sure….

How I’d like this book, it was awesome! Not only did the author give a detailed account of Annie’s journey, but there was some history of the area she traveled! Highly recommend it!

3.5

Loved how this story captured the hospitality of yesterday…people caring for each other, even strangers. I also really enjoyed the history snippets that were sprinkled throughout the story. I am a horse lover, so this was a great read for me!
Did not love the accent used for Annie’s voice.

What an inspiring story!

At once, uplifting and down to earth. Well-researched and at the same time a creative, in the moment telling of a true story. For all animal lovers and adventure dreamer/seekers. Give it a listen!

Great read!

I loved it. And may listen to it again. I really enjoyed that she went through my hometown. What a genuine and courageous woman.

an amazing journey

Loved it! An amazing story of Annie's journey across America. I highly recommend this book

Read the original!

I would have enjoyed this book more, if I didn’t feel that the whole thing had been “borrowed “, with the exception of the added in historical references. It is almost identical to Annie Wilkins own book, The Last of the Saddle Tramps, by Mesannie Wilkins, written many years ago with the help of a ghost writing friend. It is a rare book, but not impossible to find and the pictures tell a more detailed story than that told in this romanticized version.
I understand that Elizabeth Letts traveled (not by horse) and referenced all Annie’s stories. But Annie was able to write the story first hand.

awesome

Phenomenal story, love the history the author adds for context, performance was the best I've ever heard

Amazing life

From start to finish, this story was amazing and inspirational. Annie was a woman we all should aspire to emulate. I am the same age of Annie when she let out on her adventure. Makes me realize, we can all do more for our America.

a story of what was

I enjoyed this true story of a time that is barely found except in memories and stories.

Very Engaging!

All the way through the ride, you are right there with Annie! And getting a wonderful history lesson to boot!

What an Adventure

Well written and narrated. The story of an amazing woman and her amazing animals and all the amazing people she met. Very inspirational.

What an incredible story!

What an amazing woman. I’m ready to read it again as I’m sure I will pick up even more the next time.

loved this story, every step of the way.

She fought every step.Annie learnt new things every day.what a brave woman to attempt this journey with her 3 animal friends.loved it.i wish I could tell her.im sending a message to her in heaven.what an incredible woman & journey.xxx

Interesting True Story

For animal lovers it is a must. Lots of horse and dog anecdotes and some real true to life bits. One, not telling which, very sad tale. A touch too much looking back at the history of America. The travel tale was long for most of it but petered out at the end.