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Dolly Parton as a lens into rural women - Sarah Smarsh's new book 'She Come By It Natural'

Dolly Parton, a blonde woman with red blouse and bandana, smiles at the camera. The clothes are matching with white polka dots.
Contributed
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Tidal
Dolly Parton's 1976 album All I Can Do.

The National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestselling author of "Heartland", Sarah Smarsh, focuses her laser-sharp insights on a working-class icon and one of the most unifying figures in American culture: Dolly Parton.

2020 has becoming increasingly politically divided due in part to the worldwide pandemic.

We look to our leaders hoping for some understanding beyond politics.  Understanding of the complexity of everyone’s lives. 

For many of us, there is someone who understands.  Who gives us hope.  But she’s not running for president.  Sheh has been described as the most powerful, least political feminist in the world. 

A cover of a book about the women Dolly Parton wrote about in her songs, by Sarah Smarsh.
contributed
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Scribner Press
Sarah Smarsh is the author of "She Come By It Natural: The Women in the Songs of Dolly Parton".

That person is Dolly Parton. 

There’s a new book out by award winning writer Sarah Smarsh.  In her writing and journalism she explores class and rural people.  We talked to her for Heartland:  A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth. 

The new book is out, just in time to give us some hope.  It’s called She Come By It Natural – Dolly Parton and the Women Who Lived Her Songs

Check out WNYC's podcast "Dolly Parton's America".  It's described as the story of a legend at the crossroads of America's culture wars. 

For more than two decades, Heidi Holtan has helped shape the sound of KAXE. Since joining the station in 2002 as a volunteer music programmer, she has worn many hats including the weekly book program, Realgoodwords, hosting the Morning Show, creation and host of the weekly call-in program Between You and Me, serving as Outreach Producer. Program Director, News Director and currently Director of Content and Public Affairs.
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