5 comments about This Common Secret: My Journey as an Abortion Doctor.

1. This is a wonderful, well written, book about a heroic figure who has endured much intimidation by anti-choice thugs who want to control women's bodies. It's a book I would recommend especially to young woman as they have a 50% chance of finding themselves in need of a save and legal abortion sometime in their life and if things keep going the way they are, they may be unable to obtain one. The stories Dr. Wicklund relates about herself and her patients would be unheard of in other developed Western nations so you get an indication of how out of step the U.S. is with respect to women's health. The book contained interesting medical facts about abortion procedures so you'll get factual information about an issue that has been clouded by a great deal of misinformation courtesy of the anti-choice folks. I was surprised not to see more endorsements on the book jacket from well known feminists other than Barbara Erenreich but that may be an indication of their own fear of being targeted. This is an inspiring story of a courageous woman who followed her passion and sacrificed much to serve women in need.



2. This is a remarkable story about a courageous woman who - despite ongoing threats to her self, family, practice, and property- vigilantly protects a woman's right to choose.
   
   Dr. Wicklund's stories about her patients are both inspirational and heartbreaking; her interactions with abortion stalkers/protesters - who violated her privacy and terrorized her family - are absolutely chilling. Before I read this book, I thought I understood the risks that doctors assumed when they worked at a facility that performed abortions. I didn't have a clue.
   
   God bless you, Dr. Wicklund, for your eloquence, grace, and devotion to woman's health. You are an inspiration.



3. Hooray for Wicklund's heroic struggle on behalf of abortion! I very much sympathized with her enduring persecution from the anti-choice fascists. Because lets face it--abortions are great! The right-wing Bible thumpers claim that abortion is "killing". But what's wrong with that? Killing, obviously, should be a choice left to a child's mother, not the government.
   
   I was shocked to read that there are so few abortionists available in rural America. O, the trials that these women must go through to abort their fetuses! I wept in triumph as each fetus was--against seemingly insurmountable odds--aborted! Thank God for courageous warriors like Wicklund! Fight on, brave abortionists! Unite, I say! Unite behind Abortion's billowing star-spangled banner! Surely a nobler cause was never championed!



4. Ms. Wicklund's book is interesting and complex. The author travels to different states to abort fetal tissue. Protesters try to block the entrance to the clinics. They harass her family, and scream slogans in her face, such as, "Murderer, stop killing babies".
   
   Susan Wicklund seems to have genuine concern for her clients. She writes that she lives in fear of doing an abortion for women, who would regret it latter. Instead of simply getting rid of the fetal tissue, she counselor's women so they will not regret their abortions. If a women seems hesitate to have an abortion, Ms Wicklund suggests different options like adoption. In spite of her counseling, I wonder how many women regret their abortions.
   
   The book does a good job of describing the complexities of abortion. I learned from the book, as I suspected, that men have no rights over a fetus. Should a woman decide to end the life of their baby, a man has no choice in the matter.
   
   While reading the book I recall seventh grade, when my teacher, Ms. Glen, taught us during environmental week how we should only have two children per couple (ZPG), and that abortion was just getting rid of useless tissue. I shyly asked "Isn't that tissue going to be a baby?' My classmates all looked at me with disdain. One boy sneered, "You must be a Catholic!"
   
   The teacher explained again, that it was just useless tissue. In other words, the teacher explained abortion, like it was similar to taking out the trash.
   
   In spite of the cliques of the abortion advocates. Abortion is not just about "a women's right to choose." The fetal tissue is a separate entity no matter how much women talk about "their rights."
   
   This generation according to a poll in Time Magazine states, that teenagers' attitudes on abortion are different. They do not glorify abortion, and they recognize that abortion is ending a human life. Abortion should not be celebrated, but discouraged. Not everyone who opposes abortion is a religious zealot.
   
   The book left me feeling sad, but I am giving this book five stars because it was well written and interesting



5. Professionally qualified specialist explicates her background and experience of many years in following the pathetic result of females' unique dependence and sexual vulnerability. This problem is clearly attributable to the human condition pre-menopause, regardless of age.
   As a specialist in OB-Gyn, she does her best to ensure that her patients
   are examined to discuss the patient's decision thoroughly and to ascertain early stage of pregnancy. The setting provided in this way goes
   to ensure minimal frequency of complications of the event in the life of the individual both emotionally and physically.
   The sacrifices involved for this doctor are beyond personal. She describes the forms of protest against her self and family and the
   clinic and the clinic staff.
   This book is an opportunity to hear from an insider in the confidential
   corridor serving "women's health."

5 comments about The Unlikely Lavender Queen: A Memoir of Unexpected Blossoming.

1. I Had the pleasure of meeting Jeannie Ralston at the Los Poblanos Lavender Festival in Albuquerque. A friend had told me Jeannie's story, and I found it so intriguing that I bought her book on the spot. I could hardly wait to read it. Coincidentally, I was reading a mystery novel about lavender in the Texas hill country, a perfect segue! Her willingness to relocate with her husband, her acceptance of moving into a barn being remodeled... warts and all, this woman is very committed to her marriage. Her struggle to have children made the birth of her sons poignant. I grieved with Jeannie and her family over the loss of their beloved pets. Getting into lavender farming... what a dream! And she left it all. For something better. I loved this book; I treasure it!



2. I picked up this book hoping to read about my homestate of Texas and one person's account of living in the Hill Country. What I discovered was a wonderful book that everyone can learn from. Jeannie Ralton's takes us through her adjustment to life in rural Texas, after having lived in Manhattan. I could certainly relate to her transition, having moved to rurual Vermont from Texas several years ago. But you don't have to have made that type of move to learn from this book how not only to survive in unfamiliar territory, but how to actually thrive. I hope there's a sequel, as I'm curious how she is doing in Mexico and where life will take her. This is also a great book club book, as it will provide a good discussion on life's transitions, how to cope, how to manage marital strife during a transition and how to bloom when it feels like you will wither and die.



3. Having lived in New York City after college and subsequently spending too much time in Texas, I totally related to this book. I couldn't put it down and read it in two nights! It was a great read!



4. Let's face it- there alot of authors who proclaim to be great writers, but really stink. As a vigorous book lover, I read with all my friends in my book club and we tend to tear apart authors's that want to inspire women, but really put us to sleep.
   
   That's why, I have to share with everyone, the book that satisfies my hunger, so much, that I want more and more. The Unlikely Lavender Queen- a must read for women, that takes the reader on amazing adventures. So many of us, can't fathom, being like Elizabeth Gilbert, in Eat, Pray and Love and running away somewhere to find ourselves.
   
   That's why, YEAH, I loved indulging in Jeannie's adventures- you go girl! Books clubs, great conversation book over tea & chocolate, well at least, that's we have in my book club. Off for Unlikely Lavender Queen, www.jeannieralston.com - she rocks! Gotta tell all your girlfriends about this book.
   
   Laura Grivner



5. As I was reading this I felt there were so many echoes of what I've experienced as a woman--for instance, the really hard work of making necessary compromises within a marriage. Talking about this is an important aspect of understanding what relationships are about and I don't think people really give this enough thought. I know my parents didn't talk to me about it and how it's a part of making a marriage work. Plus, the message that comes out is that when you give something you get something and that's a fundamental element to growth.
   But beyond the message, the book is a great read, with a strong, compelling narrative. There are wonderful metaphors through out, and the best one is the overarching metaphor for the author's journey--taking a parched piece of land and creating a field of beautiful flowers. I think that any woman not living in a suburban bubble could completely identify.

1 comments about Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work.

1. This is the book that opened Montessori's theories and achievements to me in a way her own writing never managed to. The Standings are not unbiased, having worked with Dr. Montessori --- but they do an excellent job of weaving Montessori's life story with her teaching discoveries and methods. If someone is interested in learning about the Montessori method, and can only read one book, this is the one. There is another biography by Rita Kramer that looks good, but I haven't gotten to it yet. Good luck!

5 comments about Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe.

1. Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe is about the 4 daughters of the Count and Countess of Provence who all became Queens. They are Marguerite (married to Louis, King of France), Eleanor (married to Henry, King of England, Sanchia (married to Richard of Cornwell, later King of Germany) and Beatrice (married to King Louis' brother Charles of Anjou, later King of Sicily).
   
   I was worried that since this was non-fiction it would be dry and boring - a hard read, but I was pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed the writing and layout of the book (the chapters alternate between the sisters) and the sisters gave the author plenty to write about. What wonderfully strong, intelligent women! The drama within the family is more than adequate for a good read, but through in some wars and crusades and it becomes very interesting! Sibling rivalry at its best!
   
   I highly recommend Four Queens and look forward to learning more about these historical sisters!



2. Reader friendly nonfiction historical. All interesting information about Louis the Ninth, Henry the Third, and others; most interesting to me were the four sisters, but of course the book doesn't concentrate on them as much as the crusades, and the men. I would love a novelist to tackle this story. Loads and loads of info on that time period in France, England, Italy. Not enough on the four sisters.



3. My love of medieval history and soft-spot for popular history made this book a natural for me. The story of four daughters of the Count of Provence who became "queens" is set in an era I've study quite a bit yet (back in college!) I know relatively little about Marguerite, Eleanor, Sanchia and Beatrice.
   
   Any biography of a major figure from the 13 century has hurdles: few contemporaneous first-hand accounts, few to none documents written by the figures themselves, etc. These problems are compounded exponentially when the figure in question is female. All too often, women just didn't rate making it into the chronicles. So Goldstone has her work cut out for her. She makes a valiant effort to piece together the careers and characters of these women drawing conclusions from the smattering of available facts. The reader can take issues with these conclusions but that, to me, is one of the rewards of reading about this era.
   
   All that said, this book was a disappointment. Other reviewers have noted the multitude of factual errors in this book and I have to add my voice to the chorus. Silly, stupid mistakes are present in every single chapter. Were all the fact checkers on vacation when this book was being edited? Did Goldstone get her index cards mixed up? Popular history often needs to tread lightly on the details but never on the facts.
   
   The narrative starts well but writing starts to become heavy going before youngest sister Beatrice hits the stage. Goldstone starts overwhelming the reader with "events" that aren't particularly telling about the four sisters or illuminating of their times. She also over does the adjectives; Sanchia is too frequently "gentle Sanchia", for example. The last quarter of the book was a real trial for me to finish.
   
   I've given this book three stars, the writing and the factual errors would make this book a two but the decent start and the relative obscurity of the topic earn it an extra star from me. If you want an intro to the period this is not the best place to start. If you are immersed in this period, you may find the errors too annoying to bear. If you are interested in learning about these four under-known sisters and their times and are comfortable skipping judiciously, this book may be for you.
   
   Kindle note: photos are included.



4. I must admit that I very much looked forward to reading Ms. Goldstone's book, so it was with a growing sense of disappointment that I continued to turn the pages. Ms. Goldstone does have an engaging, albeit uneven, style of writing, but after I started to find spelling incongruities and sloppiness in her representation of facts, I started to feel slightly cheated. Medieval European historical fiction is a favorite reading genre of mine, but I was "underwhelmed" after having read the first few chapters. I have to admit that some of the blame lies with a lazy or incompetent editing staff. It was not published by Oxford or by Cambridge University Presses - it was published by Penguin. Unfortunately, I see more and more sloppy editing these days, but whether it is due to the lazy use of SpellCheck, or to the lack of a certain level of competence in the teaching of spelling, grammar, syntax, etc., in our schools now - I don't honestly know. I just wish that I had waited until Ms. Gladstone's book had come out in paperback before I made my purchase. I will stick to my favorite authors such as Robert Massie, Ken Follett, and Alison Weir, all of whom are far more capable of checking facts before publishing a book!



5. While there are indeed some inaccuracies in the book and some moments when the historical moment is glossed over with a single sentence, I found Four Queens to yet be an engaging read. The professional historian would likely choose books authored by other professionals, but certainly Goldstone did an extraordinary amount of research for this book even if she didn't get every detail down. What she did get down makes for good reading - if you're reading for pleasure and enjoy the sagas even softly told of women's history.

5 comments about Standing Tall: A Memoir of Tragedy and Triumph.

1. How important it is to have women, young and old, to know the power and authority that lies within and that you have the perfect example in
   "the Coach" of all times. Ms Stringer has given us this jewel at a time more important that any other that I can remember when so many young women are suffering from low self-esteem and rejection and so many older women are caught in the throws of life. Thanks to Ms. Stringer we have renewed HOPE!!!



2. This book was absolutely fantastic. I'm not really into sports but have enjoyed basketball from time to time. Though, I've never really been into college basketball and didn't even know who C. Vivian Stringer was before the Imus incident, I was able to gain a tremendous insight into the life of a strong, confident, and resilient woman and the women she lends a hand in raising. To learn all that she has been through and how she mustered the courage to "Stand Tall" through every adversity was so inspiring, and not just for Black women but for every woman and human being. I certainly recommend that every person take the time to read this incredible story.



3. I enjoyed the book. Not life changing but there are some life lessons to be learned through the reading



4. There are 2 things I absolutely HATED about this book...I hated having to put it down, and I hated when I finished it! Vivian Stringer's story is truly an example of courage in the midst of challenges. It's not just for sports fans. Anyone can be inspired by it.



5. I was so moved by C. Vivian Stringer's account of her rise to stardom in the competitive world of college athletics. The predjudice and personal tragedies she endured and her ability to keep balance in her life and focus through it all is truly inspiring. She is an amazing woman.

5 comments about Becoming Jane Austen.

1. 
   If you are looking for every detail of Jane Austen's life and works, this is the book for you. For me, there was so much detail that it made for slow reading, but if I was an Austen fanatic (instead of an enthusiast), this would be the book for me.



2. A well-written, well-researched biography of our beloved, complex spinster. While the book doesn't annoyingly dwell on its far-fetched claim to be the "true love story that inspired the classic novels", it does often try to make some leaps of faith (most notably the weight it places on the character names of novels as evidence). Some of the interpretations of her novels are equally improbable. But this is an engaging, interesting biography woven with Jane's letters and her novels. It is the story not only of her life and her times, but also of the people who surrounded and influenced her. It is a story of how she saw the world, of her complex character, and how the woman in love with marriage chose her novels to be her children. Well worth the read. Grade: B+



3. I bought this book because I'm preparing to teach a Jane Austen class. Spence makes some interesting points and does a good job of backing them up. I don't think we can take everything as fact, but he does support his arguments very well. Unfortunately, there is so much left up to guesswork when it comes to Austen. When it comes to Austen biographies, this book is very easy and enjoyable to read. It reads more like a novel than a biography. The movie that is based on this book takes a few more liberties than the books does. Considering all of the books that I have used in preparing my class, this is one of my favorites.



4. I really enjoyed this one! I read it right after taking a course on Jane Austen's novels, and still learned even more. This book really helped to point out the parts of Jane's life that made it into her books. It is a great read for a Jane Austen fan.



5. 2003's "Becoming Jane Austen" is Jon Spence's highly readable biography of romance novelist Jane Austen. Spence is almost novelistic himself in his treatment of her life and literary work.
   
   Spence believes the characters and events in Austen's novels can be traced back more or less directly to persons and events in Austen's life and those of her extended family. This premise leads to an intriguing mixture of biography and literary criticism, mingled with an exploration of Austen's evolving views about her life and writing. In some cases, the connections seem obvious and plausible; in others, a bit of a leap. Spence finds, for example, that Austen's rather exotic relative Eliza de Feuillide is the basis for several characters stretching from the Juvenalia to "Mansfield Park" and that Austen's stories were in effect her way of weighing in on family controversies.
   
   Easily the most interesting theme of "Becoming Jane Austen" is Spence's claim that Austen's infatuation with Tom Lefroy at Steventon in January 1796 was deep, mutual, and lasting. He interprets Austen's surviving correspondence to indicate that she expected Lefroy to return for her once he was in a position to marry. She was obviously disappointed in this expectation; Spence sees indirect indications of Lefroy's continuing hold on her imagination in her novels. Spence's interpretation is neither impossible nor necessarily implausible; it is simply impossible to prove on the basis of the very limited biographic material available at this remove of time. Other biographers are far more skeptical of the extent of the relationship.
   
   "Becoming Jane Austen" was the basis for the very charming period romance "Becoming Jane," starring Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen and James McAvoy as Tom Lefroy. Spence is quick to note in his introduction that the movie screenplay exceeds even his admittedly generous interpretation of the record.
   
   "Becoming Jane Austen" is highly recommended as an energetic, enjoyable, and intriguing life of Jane Austen. One need not agree with Jon Spence's every interpretation to appreciate his enthusiastic presentation.

5 comments about The Wives of Henry VIII.

1. For those who say history is boring. Better than reading a novel, with real characters sometimes going beyond the imaginary. An amazing study of the six wives, and the power crazed king they called husband. Used every means imaginable to justify ridding himself of one wife, to marry another. Even to the point of falsely accusing one of commiting incest with her own brother (Anne Boleyn), and having her beheaded. A powerful study of the British monarchy, and one of its most shameful periods.



2. This was the first Antonia Fraser book I read and from the "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" I was hooked. I read it after hearing her speak at Peterborough Cathedral about Catherine of Aragon. The book looks at Henry VIII's from his wives' perspective. What drove them to marry this man especially after he beheaded Anne Boleyn. Also, it is great introduction to Tudor England.



3. As I described it to my friend, Fraser's work reads like a novel with footnotes. There's definitely research, and she has an excellent grasp on what she is saying, but as a biography of the wives, there isn't much of the usual dense analysis to grapple with. Fraser's strength as an author is in the narrative. Her narrative is lively and well informed - her background in writing novels definitely comes through. She is also successful at ensuring that she has given you all the background information to attempt to explain the context - it was, after all, more than just a husband's wandering eye. This work of popular history is definitely accessible and entertaining, and even though you might already know how it ends, the narrative still keeps you coming back to it, waiting for the next high emotion scene where heads will quite literally roll.
   For those of you who enjoy history, this will be a delightful, easy read.
   
   If you are considering going to see The Other Boleyn Girl [Theatrical Release] or you're a fan of the Showtime series The Tudors - The Complete First Season, or even if you aren't, I would definitely recommend picking up Fraser's book. At the very least the book will allow you to be watch such recent Hollywood hits and say, "Hey! They totally got the timeline and context wrong on this whole situation." It will also probably make you wonder why Hollywood has bothered to change the story at all - when the real one is dramatic and entertaining enough on its own.



4. Great book about the many interesting women married to the famous Monarch. Ms Fraser is a great writer breathing life into each one of the Queen's, showing their vulnerability as well as strength. I will be reading more by this author.



5. A few years ago David Starkey wrote a book on Henry VIII's three wives which received much publicity. It was even turned into a PBS documentary. I read that book and while I found some of his research compelling, his arrogant style and dubious conclusions irritated me. The book is overlong (880 pages), and lopsidedly devoted to Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. Out of the 750 odd pages of actual text, a whopping 600 are devoted to Catherine and Anne! In particular, Catherine of Aragon's seven years of being the sort-of-fiance of Henry VIII after her first husband's death is chronicled in excruciatingly boring detail. Starkey is also fond of making pronouncements such as "In short, it rewrites history." Henry's other four wives are mentioned in a rushed, careless way.
   
   Antonia Fraser's book is half Starkey's length but it's quality, not quantity, that counts. Whereas Starkey holds most of Henry's wives with a fair degree of contempt, Fraser is more sympathetic. You can tell she cares about her characters, even Henry. She too draws some conclusions that I might not agree with (her insistence that Catherine of Aragon's first marriage was not consummated for instance -- I'm on the fence about that one), but overall her book rings true. She surmises, for instance, that Henry and Anne during their 7 year courtship probably used coitus interruptus as birth control. She details Catherine of Aragon's sad descent from a plump and spirited bride into a lonely, embittered woman is poignant. Her style is witty, engaging, and heartfelt. After reading her book I felt like I knew the queens as old friends. The book is beautifully illustrated with a section of photographs for each queen.
   
   But more importantly, she devotes much care to Henry's other four wives, and not just Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. She follows their stories all the way to the end. In Starkey's book, Anne of Cleves is shuttled off to become Henry's "sister" after a disastrous short marriage. And as he writes, "that was that." Fraser by contrast mentions that Anne of Cleves continued to occasionally visit the court, developed rather expensive tastes, and hoped to be "taken back" as Henry's wife after Henry beheaded the sweet but careless and indiscreet Katherine Howard. She mentions Henry's children's relationships with their stepmothers -- Mary and Anne Boleyn were openly hostile to each other, but Mary liked Jane Seymour and Catherine Parr, Henry's last wife. Elizabeth too was fond of Catherine Parr.
   
   I should say that I am not an unqualified admirer of Antonia Fraser. Her most recent work, on Marie Antoinette, I thought veered into hagiography. But none of these faults are in evidence in this book. For a more detailed look at Henry's most fascinating wife, Anne Boleyn, Eric Ives' study is considered definitive, but for a more general book about Henry's wives, I would consider Fraser's the book to get.

5 comments about The Story of the Trapp Family Singers.

1. You will enjoy this true story of the "Sound of Music" family. It is both historical and charming. The family's adventures and trials will keep you turning the pages.



2. Excellent writing--My mother has enjoying reading the book. I have enjoying reading it also.



3. Maria comes alive as a very sincere godly woman. Devoted to her Lord, Family, Friends, and Country. To read this book was to understand a deep trust in your God, a faith beyond imagination. If you enjoyed the movie for the family values and inspiration you may have received, you will enjoy the book that inspired the movie. I will recommend this book to all of my Christian Mommy friends.



4. Bought it as a gift, wife said she found it interesting. Of course it had more meaning because we had been in Saltzburg.



5. I had a copy of this book as a child and lost it so was thrilled to find it on Amazon. It's not the best quality paper, but was just fine.

1 comments about Claudette Colbert: She Walked in Beauty (Hollywood Legends Series).

1. I must admit that I was apprehensive about purchasing this book after reading Bernard F. Dick's rather routine and dry bio of Rosalind Russell. However I figured the likelhood of any future bios about Ms. Colbert would be unlikely and thought I'd give it a chance.
   
   Unfortunately this book suffers from the same faults as Mr. Dick's other bio - boring, boring, boring. Much too much detail on the plot summaries of Ms. Colbert's movies with very little information or insights into the making of the films and Ms. Colbert's feelings and opinions about the films (or anything else for that matter).
   
   Finally, the chapter discussing Ms. Colbert's sexual orientation - homophobically entitled "The Stigma" is just plain offensive. The author should realize it is 2008 not 1958!

5 comments about My Point...And I Do Have One.

1. Ellen DeGeneres writes in a relaxing style and entertains her readers with cute experiences and expressions, but I cannot recognize a central point she makes. She simply goes through several experiences she has had in her life and tends to be exhibitionist about herself. She makes the reader "tingle" when she describes how she happens to be naked when her mother calls her. I would not want her to be naked on her show, but how about a bikini appearance? That would fit her perfectly.



2. I love Ellen, but this book is soooo boring. All she does is talk in circles and nothing about her life-or her point



3. I found this book extremely hard to get through. I love Ellen, and her brand of humor. Why did I dislike the book so much? Well, I finished reading the book yesterday. Except if you can't see the date, then you might think today is yesterday, which it may have well been depending on when you read this review. But if you read the review a year from now, then me saying I read it yesterday will be irrelevant. But if you read this review today, then it can be accurately concluded that it was really truly yesterday that I finished reading the book. Cover to cover. But if you didn't get a copy of the book with a cover on it, you will have no idea what I am talking about. Like if your dog ate it or you happen to buy a book at a bookstore for cheap because it doesn't have a cover on it. And in that case, I hope the bookstore guy sold it at half price, because it would really stink to buy a book without a cover and not know what it is until you get it home.
   
   (get my drift? thats almost the entire book. I love her act in person, but I expected to learn a little bit more about her than I did by reading the book.)



4. This book was soooooooo funny. I laughed more when I read this than when I read The Funny Thing Is... even though both were great books. If you read this I suggest skipping to the airplane chapter first....it's the funniest part of the book!!!!!



5. It wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. I much prefer watching Ellen's show.