A nice review for Daughters of Daring: Hollywood Cowgirl Stunt Women and especially meaningful coming from respected film historian, biographer, and actor Stephen Michael Shearer.
Shearer writes:
“Extremely well-written and immensely intriguing, author Chris Enss has given us a valuable book on a rare subject.”
He calls Daughters of Daring a “defining history of the Hollywood cinematic cowgirl” and recommends it as an educational resource for anyone wanting to learn more about Hollywood history.
The book tells the stories of 17 remarkable women, including Helen Gibson, Texas Guinan, and Ruth Roland, who roped, rode, wrangled, crashed, fell, and performed dangerous stunts before motion-picture cameras, helping create the Westerns of Hollywood’s early years.
Praise from Stephen Michael Shearer carries particular significance. A noted film historian and biographer, his work has contributed to documentaries including the PBS/American Masters film Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story, produced by Susan Sarandon, and Boulevard: A Hollywood Story. As an actor, he appeared alongside Billy Ray Cyrus, Heather Locklear, and Patricia Neal in Flying By.
I’m deeply grateful to Mr. Shearer for taking the time to read Daughters of Daring and for recognizing the importance of these pioneering women.
They may not all have become movie stars, but without women like them, the Westerns we remember would have looked very different.
