Grace And Grit
Motorcycle Dispatches From Early Twentieth Century Women Adventurers
Circa 1915 a number of daring women adventurers pursued their dreams of travel and exploration. By car, plane and motorcycle they did what few others dared, and accomplished remarkable feats worthy of fascinating storytelling more than a century later. They accomplished their feats in a world very different than our paved and pampered world of today. Large parts of the planet were still unexplored. Roads were mud, not concrete, and much of America was undeveloped and only lightly explored. The remarkable women chronicled in this book made history by doing what few others had ever done, or dared to consider.
This book is the first to tell the stories of several women in the detail and context necessary to truly appreciate their courageous deeds. No exaggeration is needed. Embellishments only detracts from the fascinating truth that stands on its own, with no help needed by stretching the facts. These women truly had grace and grit.
Reviews
Good read and inspiring for any female rider in your life
February 24th 2026
My daughter is an avid rider and found this book to be inspiring! It gave her a glimpse of how rough this trip had been as compared to how much easier it would have been in today’s era. She loved it!
A lively history of women riding motorcycles
October 21st 2015
A fun read about real women. I've hung on behind my boyfriend riding a motorcycle on modern roads so I have a vague idea of the exhilaration those ladies felt. Murphy's research makes them and their times come alive.
I passed the book on to my daughter who rides a motorcycle. I think it's important for today's young women to know the stores of those who paved the way on dirt roads a hundred years ago.
Great stories
April 27th 2014
I am a motorcycle chick and I really enjoyed the stories of these tough, amazing and inspiring women. I think any motorcycle rider would appreciate these tales. HIGHLY recommend it's a great read.
Rowdy Women
June 11th 2013
The research done for this book seemed in-depth & the author told the women's stories with humor & sympathy. Many Kindle books with pictures are disappointing but the vintage photos in this book show up well. I enjoyed their addition to the narrative & recommend the book, especially for women like me, who make solo rides across the country.
An excellent book
April 13th 2013
Well researched and well written. If you ever wondered what America was like before there were highways and interstates, this is the book to read. William Murphy reveals a lesser known part of American history through the adventures of courageous women motorcyclists who dared to follow their dreams. I loved the book so much I bought a copy for my granddaughter.
Great book!
November 27th 2012
I really enjoyed reading about these amazing, adventurous women. At a time when very few women were even riding motorcycles, these women took them across the country! I can't even imagine what that was like. This book is very well written and captures the spirit these fearless women had. Great book!