Rating: 
Summary: A perfect gift from woman to woman
Review: A very enjoyable book reminding us all that we carry parts or our personal mothers with us, as well as carry the benefits of the many women who came ahead of us. Cokie weaves in much of her personal story into the context of the growth of women as a group, allowing each reader to find some similar relationship in their own life. An excellent gift from woman to woman, rather it be mother to daughter, daughter to mother, or just friend to friend.
Rating: 
Summary: The Other Side of Cokie
Review: As a long-time fan of Cokie Roberts, I was excited to read more about her interesting family history. I found myself wishing the book was penned as more of a memior and that Cokie would have peppered the text with some political commentary rather than exploring the relationships between women. I was bored and annoyed at times reading about the almost sacred bonds that she shares with so many women. I was similary annoyed at the entire book "Ya-Ya Sisterhood" and was unable to relate to the relationships Cokie described. I had a love/hate relationship with this book, but am still a fan of Roberts. And I'm still holding out for the memior.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful work by Ms. Roberts
Review: Beautiful work by Ms. Roberts. A treasure for all women to read and enjoy. The essays are poignant and well documented. This is a book that should live on through history and handed from one woman to another.
recommending also: Founding Mothers,Secret Life Of Bees,Three Junes,Lonely Hunter,Nightmares Echo
Rating: 
Summary: As flavorless as a rice cake
Review: Catchy title and format (every chapter is a different woman's role), but fails to deliver anything of real substance. Although this is not a true memoir, at times it reads like one. Some of the autobiographical sections are very interesting. Cokie comes from a privileged background. She grew up in a very educated family, and she had lots of contact with a very large and loving extended family. The second fact is not very common to find nowadays, and i read in envy. I think some people dislike reading about happy childhoods, and criticize anything that strays away from Angela's Ashes. But i digress. Cokie talks about facts and people that i had never heard about, and to me that is the main benefit of the book. I plan to read the autobiography of Esther Peterson, for example. However, as interesting as some of these facts were, i don't think they can save the book. What i found most annoying about the book is the crude generalization that takes place when she writes about how women are connected through time. Where did she find that soundbyte? It's hard to connect to women in their 50's who make $500,000/year if you are a 24-year old high-school dropout on welfare (and that's not even including race into the equation). Also, all that talk about women being superwomen is empty of any true value. While i have to admit it is admirable that her mother cooked the entire banquet for Cokie's wedding by herself while taking care of a toddler grandson and dictating a speech (i freak out when more than 4 people come over for dinner), not everybody is made that way. In fact it is very good that not everybody is so capable. Cokie herself admits defeat when she acknowledges how she has missed many important occasions in the lives of her children. She, like millions of women out there, did it the best she could, but instead of admitting that, she proceeds to gloss over it, like it was no big deal after all. Contradictions abound, so caveat emptor. Do not expect deep commentary or analysis.
Rating:
Summary: As flavorless as a rice cake
Review: Catchy title and format (every chapter is a different woman's role), but fails to deliver anything of real substance. Although this is not a true memoir, at times it reads like one. Some of the autobiographical sections are very interesting. Cokie comes from a privileged background. She grew up in a very educated family, and she had lots of contact with a very large and loving extended family. The second fact is not very common to find nowadays, and i read in envy. I think some people dislike reading about happy childhoods, and criticize anything that strays away from Angela's Ashes. But i digress. Cokie talks about facts and people that i had never heard about, and to me that is the main benefit of the book. I plan to read the autobiography of Esther Peterson, for example. However, as interesting as some of these facts were, i don't think they can save the book. What i found most annoying about the book is the crude generalization that takes place when she writes about how women are connected through time. Where did she find that soundbyte? It's hard to connect to women in their 50's who make $500,000/year if you are a 24-year old high-school dropout on welfare (and that's not even including race into the equation). Also, all that talk about women being superwomen is empty of any true value. While i have to admit it is admirable that her mother cooked the entire banquet for Cokie's wedding by herself while taking care of a toddler grandson and dictating a speech (i freak out when more than 4 people come over for dinner), not everybody is made that way. In fact it is very good that not everybody is so capable. Cokie herself admits defeat when she acknowledges how she has missed many important occasions in the lives of her children. She, like millions of women out there, did it the best she could, but instead of admitting that, she proceeds to gloss over it, like it was no big deal after all. Contradictions abound, so caveat emptor. Do not expect deep commentary or analysis.
Rating:
Summary: At least you don't hear that voice
Review: Cokie has nicely documented what a great woman her mother was, and then randomly writes about some unconnected women who did some notable things. It must be nice to have the power and the noteriety that enables you to get something like this published. I can't imagine some anonymous writer sending this manuscript to a publisher and getting any serious consideration. There's just nothing here. The best thing about this book is that you don't have to hear that little screech-screech voice of hers.
Rating:
Summary: Cokie delivers a smart, down to earth look at women's place.
Review: Cokie Roberts offers up words of wisdom from a historical perspective on the subject of women. She shows why women should be proud of their choices and of their abilities. The book left me feeling proud to be a woman and excited about my future, whatever it may hold. Cokie has always come across as insightful, well-spoken and able to hold her own with the boys. Now I see her as a rounded person with a husband, kids, an over-achieving but loving mother. She is just like the rest of us and she has shown how to have it all. Thank you Cokie!!
Rating:
Summary: Delightful commentary on women and how we aid each other.
Review: Coming from the same time period as Cokie and also "making it" in a man's world with two small boys to support and raise, I could relate to her insights and comments on how women need, support and give love to each other. I too am blessed with a marvelous husband but thru the years my women friends sustained me. A must read for any woman over 40.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding, uplifting, inspiring
Review: Great book about the strength of women.
Rating: 
Summary: Not A Must-Read
Review: I am a Cokie Roberts fan and have heard and watched her with her husband on book TV. This title intrigued me, as this is a topic close to my heart. Cokie does address the mother-daughter relationship through an almost historic view. There are some sharing of personal stories, soundly but yet lightly addressed. As with another reviewer, I expected more, that is not to say it was not a good read. In fact it was easy to get through and enjoyable. Personally I felt Cokie could have done more with this subject. It seemed to me there was nothing new from the aspect of other works on mother-daughter relations. Where you might find the difference is in her own personal female roles and relationships. Check out other reviews on mother-daughter titles by Bernadette Moyer Sahm.
|
