Overview

Annabel Abbs-Streets's Windswept: Walking the Paths of Trailblazing Women is a beautifully written meditation on connecting with the outdoors through the simple act of walking. In captivating and elegant prose, Abbs-Streets's follows in the footsteps of women who boldly reclaimed wild landscapes for themselves, including Georgia O'Keeffe in the empty plains of Texas and New Mexico, Nan Shepherd in the mountains of Scotland, Gwen John following the French River Garonne, Daphne du Maurier along the River Rhône, and Simone de Beauvoir?who walked as much as twenty-five miles a day in a dress and espadrilles?through the mountains and forests of France. Part historical inquiry and part memoir, the stories of these writers and artists are laced together by moments in her own life, beginning with her poet father who raised her in the Welsh countryside as an ""experiment,"" according to the principles of Rousseau. Abbs-Streets's explores a forgotten legacy of moving on foot and discovers how it has helped women throughout history to find their voices, to reimagine their lives, and to break free from convention. As Abbs-Streets traces the paths of exceptional women, she realizes that she, too, is walking away from her past and into a radically different future. Windswept crosses continents and centuries in a provocative and poignant account of the power of walking in nature.

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9781963108132

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"[Abbs] connects clarity of mind, communion with land, and rejection of gender roles to this specific corporeal movement--one which many have turned to in the past year.-- ""BuzzFeed"" A triumph . . . I felt as though I were being lifted, carried up to peaks.--Charlotte Peacock, author of Into the Mountain: A Life of Nan Shepherd A writer follows in the footsteps--literally--of eight hiking women of the 19th and early 20th centuries. . . . A fascinating, deeply thoughtful read.-- ""The Star Tribune"" Abbs brings to life the joys and inspirations that only a nature walk can provide.-- ""Powell's"" Abbs is a witty and engaging guide, seamlessly weaving her own experience with those of her 'walking women, ' all of whom discovered that the simple act of taking one step at a time can be the most powerful--and defiant--of all.--Abbott Kahler, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park An emotional and often amusing book that provides refreshing insight into the walking lives of women artists and writers of the twentieth century.-- ""The Times Literary Supplement"" Beautiful and meditative. . . . This lush narrative serves as the perfect excuse to get moving.-- ""Publishers Weekly"" Compelling. . . . One of the most exhilarating and masterful reflections ever on how to meaningfully move on our own feet and the remarkable women who made this a unique expression of their being.-- ""Bookreporter.com"" I couldn't put it down. Quite extraordinary. . . . written in such a free flowing, readable style. I'm in awe.--Maggie Humm, author of Talland House Inspirational.-- ""Smithsonian Magazine"" Ms. Abbs's brief biographies are unfailingly interesting and even revelatory. . . . Reading about the unfettered freedom to roam enjoyed by these trailblazing women induced considerable vicarious pleasure--and envy.-- ""The Wall Street Journal"" Part memoir, part cultural critique through the lens of 'famous walking women, ' including but not limited to Simone de Beauvoir, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Daphne du Maurier.-- ""Departures"" Should be read by all women and those who love the outdoors.-- ""Booklist"" This unusual blend of history and memoir traces the paths--literally--of female trailblazers who used walking as a way to connect with the world, and themselves.-- ""The Story Exchange"" Windswept crosses continents and centuries in a provocative and poignant account of the power of walking in nature.-- ""New Books Network"" Deeply personal. . . . Windswept is the record of one woman's trek to find other walking women. When Abbs sets out into the wild, she finds them, and she comes to find herself more fully too.-- ""Colorado Review"" I love how the act of walking connects the lives of these women--and how it transforms them. It makes me want to go for a hike just to see what happens. Windswept satisfies my endless appetite for untold stories of women's history, filling important gaps and bringing their stories into light.--Mia Kankim�ki, author of The Women I Think About At Night"

[Abbs] connects clarity of mind, communion with land, and rejection of gender roles to this specific corporeal movement--one which many have turned to in the past year.-- ""BuzzFeed"" A triumph . . . I felt as though I were being lifted, carried up to peaks.--Charlotte Peacock, author of Into the Mountain: A Life of Nan Shepherd A writer follows in the footsteps--literally--of eight hiking women of the 19th and early 20th centuries. . . . A fascinating, deeply thoughtful read.-- ""The Star Tribune"" Abbs brings to life the joys and inspirations that only a nature walk can provide.-- ""Powell's"" Abbs is a witty and engaging guide, seamlessly weaving her own experience with those of her 'walking women, ' all of whom discovered that the simple act of taking one step at a time can be the most powerful--and defiant--of all.--Abbott Kahler, New York Times bestselling author of The Ghosts of Eden Park An emotional and often amusing book that provides refreshing insight into the walking lives of women artists and writers of the twentieth century.-- ""The Times Literary Supplement"" Beautiful and meditative. . . . This lush narrative serves as the perfect excuse to get moving.-- ""Publishers Weekly"" Compelling. . . . One of the most exhilarating and masterful reflections ever on how to meaningfully move on our own feet and the remarkable women who made this a unique expression of their being.-- ""Bookreporter.com"" I couldn't put it down. Quite extraordinary. . . . written in such a free flowing, readable style. I'm in awe.--Maggie Humm, author of Talland House Inspirational.-- ""Smithsonian Magazine"" Ms. Abbs's brief biographies are unfailingly interesting and even revelatory. . . . Reading about the unfettered freedom to roam enjoyed by these trailblazing women induced considerable vicarious pleasure--and envy.-- ""The Wall Street Journal"" Part memoir, part cultural critique through the lens of 'famous walking women, ' including but not limited to Simone de Beauvoir, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Daphne du Maurier.-- ""Departures"" Should be read by all women and those who love the outdoors.-- ""Booklist"" This unusual blend of history and memoir traces the paths--literally--of female trailblazers who used walking as a way to connect with the world, and themselves.-- ""The Story Exchange"" Windswept crosses continents and centuries in a provocative and poignant account of the power of walking in nature.-- ""New Books Network"" Deeply personal. . . . Windswept is the record of one woman's trek to find other walking women. When Abbs sets out into the wild, she finds them, and she comes to find herself more fully too.-- ""Colorado Review"" I love how the act of walking connects the lives of these women--and how it transforms them. It makes me want to go for a hike just to see what happens. Windswept satisfies my endless appetite for untold stories of women's history, filling important gaps and bringing their stories into light.--Mia Kankimäki, author of The Women I Think About At Night

Author Information

Annabel Abbs-Streets is an award-winning author and journalist. She writes regularly for a wide range of newspapers and magazines and lives in London, with her husband and four children.

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