Book excerpt: Author Dorcas S. Miller profiles the adventurous lives of nine courageous women, combining the written account of each woman along with her own life story. By experiencing the thrill of the outdoors, these women redefined the term ladylike in an age where women's roles were mostly limited to home and family. They hiked, paddled, and ventured far from civilization, and in doing so returned to their other lives stronger from the experiences. The stories of these bold lives will captivate readers; the moving words of these courageous women will inspire hopeful adventurers and armchair travelers alike.