1 comments about Autobiographics: A Feminist Theory of Women's Self-Representation (Reading Women Writing).

1. A brilliant, innovative treatment of the theory and practice of women's autobiography. A must read

2 comments about My Mother's Eyes: Holocaust Memories of a Young Girl.

1. This is a beautiful book where holocaust experiences are written in a simple and profound manner. It is not morbid. It is a very human story.



2. Anna Ornstein was my first psychiatry teacher in medical school, so that is my bias. When this short, powerful, articulate woman entered a lecture hall full of hypercritical American medical students like myself, what impressed me most was her courage. We were a tough audience of concrete-minded scientific reductionists, and she came with her heavily accented English and provoked us to think about feelings and the meaning of mind and emotions when we, lost and overwhelmed in a world of memorizing anatomical structures, metabolic pathways, and Nernst equations, were least ready for it.
   
   As I learned more about the work of Prof. Ornstein and her equally impressive husband, I came to understand why she wasn't the least bit intimidated by our sophomoric arrogance (we were often merciless to lecturers).
   
   The kindness and attentiveness of this short giant of a teacher, therapist, and theoretician, was equally as present, and most visually reflected in her strikingly bright, beautiful eyes that look like they miss nothing. (Yes, you detect the student's crush here.) What she and her husband have taught this poor student, as well as many good ones during their estimable careers, is the complexity and healing power of empathy. To have survived the holocaust and devoted a career to the study and teaching of empathy! Can there be a more powerful triumph?! Yet here is another; this wonderful little book.
   
   This book is a gift of deeply personal remembrances. They are at the same time universal in their emotional power, because of Dr. Ornstein's ability to use words to bring her experience very near to the reader. She integrates in simple, eloquent prose the texture and emotions of the experiences. The imagery is as powerful as film, no, more so.
   
   I cried my way through many of these memories. Though they were not my own, they were brought so close by Prof. Ornstein's words it felt as though they were. The tragedy that befell the Ornstein's and so many others, lost and surviving, uplifts and enriches as much is it hurts and warns. She has achieved her goal; those lost will not be totally lost because she has helped us to remember.
   
   The illustrations are works of art, beautiful, powerful as well, and are a complement to the word pictures which nonetheless stand on there own.
   
   Readers of this beautiful book will not forget these painful and beautiful pictures, seen through Anna Ornstein's eyes.

3 comments about Sexual Violence: Our War Against Rape.

1. IN THE FIRST OF HER SIX BOOKS, MS. FAIRSTEIN GOES INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND HOW IT HAS EVOLVED TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE AND USER-FRIENDLY FOR CRIME VICTIMS. SHE DESCRIBES HER START IN THE NEW YORK COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE, AND MOVING UP THE RANKS IN AN OFFICE THAT HAD RELATIVELY FEW WOMEN ADAs AT THE TIME. IN 1976, SHE WAS APPOINTED TO HEAD UP ITS SEX CRIMES PROSECUTION UNIT (THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY). OVER THE YEARS SHE HAS SENT MANY RAPISTS TO PRISON. HOWEVER, THRU THE YEARS, HER OFFICE HAS KEPT UP-TO-DATE WITH NEW CRIME FIGHTING TECHNIQUES (SUCH AS DNA AND FORENSIC SCIENCE)IN ITS BATTLE TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS. SHE HAS BEEN VERY FAIR TO ALL PARTIES IN THE HANDLING OF CASES BY HER & HER UNIT OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES.



2. This is the person who ignored hard evidence pointing to the guilty person in order to convict the Central Park 5. An undeserved reputation - but you can understand why her works of fiction are so good. An unprincipled careerist of the first order, impressively manufactures her reputation. Quite how victims of rape are served by the perpetration of further injustice against others is not explained.



3. Linda Fairstein has described the inner workings of the Manhattan Distric Attorney's office regarding rape cases during the 1970's. The laws and procedures have changed a great deal since that time and Fairstein was personally involved in many of the changes. The book is, of course, slanted a bit to favor her office, particularly in its canonization of D.A. Robert Morgenthau, but these attorneys do deserve credit for streamlining the system to handle the victims more sensitively. Fairstein's book would hold any reader with an interest in the law as well as anyone who has suffered from any form of sexual violence. It is the rare account of social change as written by one of its instigators

3 comments about Listening to Olivia: Violence, Poverty, and Prostitution (The Northeastern Series on Gender, Crime, and Law).

1. Listening to Olivia is the book that many anti-prostitution activists wish they had written. Ms. Raphael has the ability to interweave Olivia's true story with the extensive research documenting various aspects of the reality of prostitution. The book is a terrific resource for anyone researching in this area. If you care about women, you MUST read this.



2. Listening to Olivia is a tremendously important and compelling book written on the subject of prostitution. Ms. Raphael tells Olivia's story in a raw, forthright manner, flawlessly interweaving testimony and research. Olivia is courageous as she shares her story in the hopes of helping other young women avoid her path. This book is a must read for providers working with women and girls, policy makers whose work impacts this vulnerable population, and parents who hope to raise daughters who stay safe from The Life. For those of us who work in prostitution prevention and intervention, this book will be seen as a key resource for years to come.



3. The newest addition to "The Northeastern Series on Gender, Crime and Law", Listening To Olivia: Violence, Poverty, And Prostitution by Jody Raphael (Senior Research Fellow, DePaul University College of Law's Schiller, DuCanto and Fleck Family Law Center) is the personal story of Olivia, a woman who spent nineteen years of her life as a stripper, a prostitute, and a heroine addict. She left a troubled home at 16 and became involved in Chicago's subculture of prostitution, drug addiction, and abusive men. A resourceful woman of color, Olivia was able to eventually break with "the life" and now works to support drug-dependent women. Especially commended to the attention of students of Urban Sociology and Women's Studies, Listening To Olivia is a compelling, informative, and gripping autobiography that uniquely illuminates the life led by low-income, non-white, young women in commercial prostitution today.

2 comments about Woman of the River: Georgie White Clark, White Water Pioneer.

1. A biography of one of the pioneers of commercial river rafting on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Georgie--adventurer, raconteur, eccentric--started by swimming the rapids in the river, and continued running large commercial trips into her 80's in the 1990's.



2. You may be as surprised by this book as I was - I bought it thinking that I OUGHT to read it to learn more about a river-running legend, but I didn't expect to enjoy it all that much. I was wrong. Author Richard Westwood engagingly tells the story of Georgie White Clark and how she came to be one of the most celebrated pioneers of Western United State river-running, especially on the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. In surprising detail (including the names of many of her passengers and boatmen) this book describes the trips, travails, and triumphs of Georgie's long career here in the United State and elsewhere. The book gives brief details of Georgie's early years, but focuses on her river-running years starting in 1945 when she and Harry Aleson swam from Diamond Creek to Lake Mead, through 1992 when she died.

   To the author's credit he does not dodge the controversies that have marred Georgie's legend. Westwood frankly acknowledges and, in some instances, documents the validity of some of the criticisms leveled at Georgie over the years. He states what he knows or what his considerable research revealed, and leaves the conclusions up to the reader.

   Through this book you will get an unvarnished portrait of a unique individual, someone who left her imprint on a sport that largely didn't exist when she started and was a multi-million dollar industry when she died. You'll learn about an incredibly complex person: alternately engaging or aloof, compassionate or driven -- but always a pioneer. This very readable book includes over 50 photographs and maps that bring to life much of what is written, and give the reader a glimpse of Georgie's world.

1 comments about Sylvia: From Whence Cometh My Help.

1. This true story of Sylvia is an example of determination, will and strength, ultimately wrapped up in faith in God. Sylvia is an amazing woman who made it also through the love and support of some of her children.
   
   It's a story that will be instrumental in encouraging other families as they encounter different struggles and life experiences.
   
   Sylvia would continue to be extremely proud of Elliott, who authored this book, and his wife, Carol.
   
   We highly recommend this book.

1 comments about Malintzin's Choices: An Indian Woman in the Conquest of Mexico (Dialogos (Albuquerque, N.M.).).

1. My definition of a "keeper" of a non-fiction book is one where I can read the notes like a seperate book; and don't need to read the notes to keep track of what the author has said. This book makes no attempt to find the historical "Malinche." Its focus is on the circumstances and historical knowledge we do have and how that would affect a person in her position.
   Chock full of data; it suggested over 20 new books for me to add to my already extensive reading list. in addition, I solved two conundrums that had been nagging me for years and clarified where certain actions had taken place. I found, thanks to the clarity of the text a very important book written during the conquest years that had information I thought was not obtainable.
   Camilla Townsends strictly academic approach and care in the use of non-english records deserves a very strong round of applause.

5 comments about Hattie McDaniel: Black Ambition, White Hollywood.

1. This has got to be one of the best books written about someone. The book is well written and an enjoyment to read. I hope all get a chance to read such a book. thank you.



2. A biography that was interesting in some spots, long and boring in others. I came away from this one with an "oh, well" kind of feeling. While I appreciated the author's fact based account, I was never able to really "get into" this story. McDaniel came from a life of extreme poverty to become the first Black person to win an Academy Award. The book goes into great detail about McDaniel's life story, her parentage, her work in vaudeville, her work on screen and on radio. We also read about her multiple marriages, her fight with the NAACP and her last days as she fought diabetes and breast cancer. The running theme of this book is courage and perserverance, of which Ms. McDaniel had a alot. I wouldn't recommend this for purchase, best to get it from the library. 2.5 stars.



3. THIS IS NOT JUST A BIOGRAPHY OF A FASCINATING WOMAN, IT IS ALSO A FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF THE PREJUDICE MS MCDANIEL FACED WITHIN THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY, AND FROM THE NAACP. A FIRST CLASS ACCOUNT OF A WOMAN I FELT I KNEW PERSONALLY AFTER THE LAST PAGE, AND AN EQUALLY WONDERFUL SOURCE OF INFORMATION ABOUT PREJUDICE AND RACIAL PROBLEMS IN ALL ITS FORMS. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT



4. Looking back at Hattie McDaniel's life, I had to question why now? Why recognize her life with a stamp now? I sought out the answers by reading this book. This is a well documented biography written by a historian who is also a very good storyteller. She captures the times that Hattie McDaniel came up in as well as the story of her parents and older siblings. Her accomplishments are meaningful when effectively presented in that context. as Jill Watts has done in this book. Miss McDaniel managed to participate in every form of show business from vaudeville, blues shows, theatre, radio, movies and television. I read this book from cover to cover. The information I read complimented the biography I just finished about Lincoln Perry (Stepin Fetchit).



5. This book on one of the most memorable Black performers from the studio period catches some of her vivacity--her mother is said to have given her youngest child a nickel on occasion to just stop singing, dancing and carrying on. The reader can't be sure that Mrs. McDaniel wasn't just trying to find a moment's peace or if she was attempting to dissuade her daughter from setting off on what she regarded as the primrose path. This bio does a good job of detailing her family's path from slavery to her role as one of the most visible representatives of her people to the average American in the '30s and '40s.
   
   Hattie McDaniel's ability to endure as well as her gift for imbuing her often subservient characters with much more edge than audiences were aware of at the time are delineated nicely in this biography. The author is remarkably thorough, mentioning Miss McDaniel's lifelong generosity to others, constant work to educate and make her industry more equitable, and even her participation in midget car races(Oh, where is the film of this?!)as well as her pioneering efforts to represent women, as well as Black Americans, as human beings. There is also some suggestion that Hattie McDaniel may have had to maneuver behind the scenes to maintain her preeminent position, though this is presented as indicative of the actress' savvy understanding of the inner workings of the Hollywood publicity machine.
   
   It's a little dry in parts, since the author, a professor of history, ascribes some conscious social and political motivations to this artist's early work that may be a bit hard to believe. Hattie McDaniel deserves to be recognized for her contributions, but sometimes, I suspect that like most of us, she did what she did in order to keep the wolf from the door. A worthwhile read.

1 comments about Chosen by a Horse: How a Broken Horse Fixed a Broken Heart.

1. I bought this book for my daughter (10) for a present. I decided that I should read it first to make sure it was appropriate. I found this book so moving, captivating. Not only can horse lovers relate to the story but any audience who finds comfort in the most unlikely of companions. I highly recommend this book. I plan on reading it again after my daughter has finished it.

No comments about The Evidence: The Starr Report.