Sarah Smarsh Books

Smarsh challenged a typically male vision of the rural working class with her first book, Heartland, starring the bold, hard-luck women who raised her. Now, in She Come by It Natural, originally published in a four-part series for The Journal of Roots Music, No Depression, Smarsh explores the overlooked contributions to social progress by such women -- including those averse to the term "feminism" -- as exemplified by Dolly Parton's life and art.

At once candidly intimate and searchingly analytical, She Come By It Natural captures the enduring appeal of this singular star.

Exploring over 25 chapters, this book vividly recounts the diverse and intriguing history of Kansas. Its lively narrative style makes the state's past both entertaining and accessible, highlighting key events and figures that shaped the Sunflower State. Readers will gain a deeper appreciation for Kansas through engaging stories that celebrate its unique heritage.