Official Review: GOLD DIGGER, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor

Jsovermyer · Post by **Jsovermyer** » 21 Oct 2019, 15:55

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "GOLD DIGGER, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor" by Rebecca Rosenberg.]

4 out of 4 stars

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Elizabeth McCourt agreed to marry a rich boy, Harvey Doe, and follow him from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, to Central City, Colorado, in 1878. Harvey was to manage his father’s gold mine and Elizabeth hoped to send money home to her family who had lost their home, her father’s haberdashery, and the theater they managed in the Great Oshkosh fire a few years earlier. However, Harvey wasn’t interested in working, so Elizabeth donned men’s work clothes and went to the mine herself. Known for her beauty and small stature, she gained the nickname of Baby Doe. When Harvey abandoned her and went back to his mother, she was alone, pregnant, with little food or heat and ended up losing her baby.

I had heard of Baby Doe and the Matchless Mine as a wild west legend. I didn’t realize she was a real person. After reading Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor, by Rebecca Rosenberg, I have a profound respect for this strong and self-sufficient woman. When Harvey didn’t return for her, and she later caught him going into a whorehouse, she divorced him. This was not acceptable in her time. She became a social pariah, but stood her ground and wouldn’t take him back.

This book is based on a true story, but the author added fictionalized dialogue to make the story flow and the characters come alive. Rebecca Rosenberg did extensive research of Baby Doe and based many of the scenes depicted from Baby’s own diary entries. She portrayed Baby as a kindhearted, brave and hardworking woman. She continued to send most of the money she made to her family even though they disowned her after the divorce.

It was interesting to me to see how few rights women had in the 1800s. A woman wasn’t supposed to work. She was expected to keep the home, attend social functions and do everything her husband asked. A man could be unfaithful, and the woman was supposed to just accept it. She had no rights and no respect. Baby Doe was a rebel in her time. She fought for her own rights and financial security.

Each chapter of the book starts with the location, month and year that the action takes place. This makes it easier to follow the events and to check their authenticity. A portrait of Baby Doe also graces the cover of the book. After reading this wonderful book, I wanted to know more about this amazing woman. All additional references found matched the occurrences in the book perfectly. The author strived to make this an actual and truthful portrayal.

I really enjoyed this story. People who like historical fiction will love this one. It shows the life of miners during the gold rush era. I recommend this book to people who like westerns, or who want to see what life was really like during that time. It also has a touch of romance for readers who like a beautiful love story. There are only mild profanity and no graphic sexual scenes. Since this is based on actual events, some of the scenes may be too intense for young readers. I found no grammatical or spelling errors and believe this book has been professionally edited. I only have the highest praise for this story. Because of this, I am rating Gold Digger: The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor with 4 out of 4 stars. I recommend it and think you will not be disappointed.

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GOLD DIGGER, The Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor
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Pearl Hijabi · Post by **Pearl Hijabi** » 24 Oct 2019, 15:48

The author has done an exceptional work with the story. Portraing a real character without harming either story or the true story is quite hard. And Baby Doe is really a strong rebel who fought for rights when there weren't any rights for women. I would love to read the story and your review was great. Thank you

Jsovermyer · Post by **Jsovermyer** » 25 Oct 2019, 18:55

Pearl Hijabi wrote: ↑24 Oct 2019, 15:48 The author has done an exceptional work with the story. Portraing a real character without harming either story or the true story is quite hard. And Baby Doe is really a strong rebel who fought for rights when there weren't any rights for women. I would love to read the story and your review was great. Thank you

Thank you for your comments. I think you will really like this book. It is extremely well-written. Thanks again.

Post by **Fedaa Nsair** » 28 Feb 2023, 05:53

I like stories about strong women and being a true story is a plus, thank you for the review

Gwen Johnson · Post by **Gwen Johnson** » 28 Feb 2023, 06:05

Just downloaded this book after reading your review. Excited to hear the book is based around a real life character, Elizabeth McCourt, working in a time where woman had very little rights, but striving to live an unconventionally life. I’m interested to read about her battling against the social norms of her time. Can’t wait to get started. Thank-you for the interesting review.

Domeseo Camus Meda · Post by **Domeseo Camus Meda** » 28 Feb 2023, 06:25

BABY DOE IS SIMPLY AN EXEMPLARY WOMAN TO BE CONGRATULATED ESPECIALLY AT THE TIME WHERE THE FACTS TOOK PLACE 1800. A TIME WHERE WOMEN HAD NO RIGHTS.
HER COURAGE, HER GENEROSITY AND HARD WORK FINALLY MADE HER A HERO. GOOD REVIEW

Nube Vargas · Post by **Nube Vargas** » 28 Feb 2023, 06:42

Social norms has been changed as the society and this book really sparkles in the true of being a woman in past times. With all the social conventions that women has to archive and the oppression of it. Nice book!!

Edigbo B Emmanuel · Post by **Edigbo B Emmanuel** » 28 Feb 2023, 06:55

This is a well appreciated book by me. The fact that Baby Doe knows her worth enough to fight for her right and not allow her life to be determined by what people will say if she goes against what was the norm at the time, (whether true or false), fascinates me. I hope we have more women who truly knows their worth enough to fight for what is right. Great review, congratulations on BOTD.

Margi zuu202 · Post by **Margi zuu202** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:00

book of the day BOTD is historical fiction dating back in the 18th century baby doe got married and move with his husband to oshkosh Colorado to over see his family.. despite her divorce stigma her beauty was still attracting potential suitors but she rejected their offer.. she was later attracted to this old man and it made her choose between following her heart or jeopardizing tabors political future, i like this book because I'm an American west history fiction book lover (100)% and despite doe being a protagonist with a bad reputation of gold digging she was a bold woman mining for romance and wealth in the old west the book was well written and review i will always recommend it

Ben Madeley · Post by **Ben Madeley** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:08

I really like historical fiction and novelw that are based on true stories, so this appeals to me. Also historical books rarely look at things from a female perspective, so I enjoy this.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:23

Thank you for the great review, I'm a fan of historical fiction, and you've convinced me to read it. Adding it to my bookshelf now!

Valery Malay · Post by **Valery Malay** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:27

This review is wonderfully written and as someone who loves reading historical fiction with strong female characters I will most definitely be reading this book. And I love that it is a true story.

Brenda Creech · Post by **Brenda Creech** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:37

I love historical fiction! Based on the true story of 'Baby Doe,' who had to step into her worthless husband's role and work because he wouldn't sounds like an interesting story. This book is one I am sure I will enjoy! Thank you for the great review!

Hazel Mae Bagarinao · Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 28 Feb 2023, 07:40

Baby Doe's bravery is something I admire with. Even if she was abandoned by her family, she still provide for them financially, which shows she has a golden heart. Though she experience vicissitudes of life, Baby Doe still became a legend. That was amazing! Congratulations on BOTD!

Ma Leonarda Castañares · Post by **Ma Leonarda Castañares** » 28 Feb 2023, 08:00

This story can be uplifting for women. I wish all women are as strong and self-sufficient as her. Baby Doe’s story never failed to inspire us, may she continue to inspire more fellow women by reading her story.