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Summary: Wonderful topic-soundly but lightly addressed ...
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.
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Summary: The softer side of Cokie.
Review: I bought this book after reading an excerpt in Working Mother magazine. Roberts looks at her relationships with the various women in her life--mother, daughters, girlfriends, sisters, etc.--and the bonds that hold them together through various stages of life. Having only seen her on the news in the past, I have a new appreciation for the storyteller she is. I cried when I read about her sister's battle with breast cancer, and the women who supported each other through this crisis.
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Summary: Surprisingly lightweight
Review: I bought this book because it was written by Cokie Roberts, whose TV and radio political commentary I admire and enjoy. But I was surprised at this book's light weight. I enjoyed reading about her family and herself, but ended up knowing very little in depth about any of them (including her mother's name), although her stories about her aunts are hilarious. They reminded me of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. I found the other women Roberts wrote about a little dull. I'm sure they are not dull, but Roberts' writing is. Come on, Cokie, you can do better than this. Readers should get in-depth thinking in books, not sound bites or a two-minute feature TV story. Happily, the book is an easy reader and can be zoomed through in no time, allowing women to get on with their busy lives. No new insights here.
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Summary: Makes me proud to be a woman. Upbeat and uplifting!
Review: I couldn't put this book down as I was interested in finding what "little known" but highly motivated woman Roberts was going to tell me about next.
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Summary: Insubstantial
Review: I found this book to be superficial. Given the title, I was expecting some truly thoughtful observations which might help me understand others, and perhaps also experience some personal truths about my own mother-child relationships in a new way. Given the author's talent and intellect, I expected a provocative book. But the book, while pleasant enough, was mostly just a memoir and did not live up to its title. While I respect the author, I'm not sure I would have spent money for her biographical efforts. I suspect this was quite meaningful for her --- but I was disappointed. Mary Romeyn, author, Nutrition and HIV: A New Model for Treatment
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Summary: A provocative book
Review: I have just finished Cokie Roberts' book We Are Our Mothers' Daughters. In my opinion, no better book has been written about women--women in the work place, women in the home, women in society, women in every phase of their lives. The introduction establishes the subject matter and tells a story about visiting a Grecian museum to view everyday objects from the lives of the women of Marathon, Greece, many thousands of years ago. There Roberts observed needles, buttons, jewelry, toys, cooking pots, and make-up containers, all objects familiar to present-day women. Coming full circle, the book ends with a couple of sentences linking the women of the future to those Grecian women. As the title indicates, continuity is an important theme of Roberts' writing. We are linked to our mothers (sisters, aunts, friends) as they are linked to theirs. . . She emphasizes the kinship of women, a relationship most men just don't get. This concept of connection becomes part of the major theme: a woman's place. Through personal stories and through stories of women in history, Roberts develops a sense of the nature of the role of women throughout history--and today. From the title I expected the book to be about Lindy Boggs, Roberts' mother; but it is not. Her mother is just one of a number of women whose lives have taught her the place of women in history and in society. I wept when I read of her sister's death. I laughed out loud reading about the way women's rights became a part of the Civil Rights Act. I found myself nodding my head as I read what Margaret Chase Smith wrote on the place of women. I giggled over the episode describing Roberts' daughter's first dance. And I have urged both my daughter and daughter-in-law to read this book. I truly enjoyed reading We Are Our Mothers' Daughters. I recommend it highly.
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Summary: Uplifting stories for mothers and daughters, from 18-80!
Review: I must admit I am a long time Cokie Roberts fan, but listening to this book on audio tape only confirmed by great admiration for her. Imagine the wonderful stories that come from a woman who is 1)daughter of a long time Old South congressman, 2)daughter of a congresswoman, who is currently Ambassador to the Vatican, 3)Cradle Catholic (see mother's occupation) married over 30 years to Steve Roberts, Jewish, who is also a famous newsman in his own right, and 4)devoted mother, daughter, wife, sister, friend, aunt and--a pioneer woman in network news. She makes no apologies for putting her family above work, but confesses that guilt we all felt trying to be Superwoman in the 80's. No matter what your political persuasion, I highly recommend this book for all mothers and daughters!
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Summary: Perfect gift for any woman.
Review: I ordered this from Amazon last fall on a friend's enthusiastic recommendation and couldn't stop reading it. When I finished it sometime the next morning, I went back online and bought several copies as gifts for my mother, grandmother, and a friend. This is the only book I have read that resonates with every woman I know. It's also the only book I have ever given people that all the recipients have called to chat about favorite parts and thank me for the book. Ms. Roberts touches deftly on family, husbands, kids, and women's history weaving together historical anecdotes and her own experiences into a delightful and fascinating read. P.S. I sent her copies to autograph for my mother and grandmother and she kindly and promptly did!
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Summary: A Must Read for Women in their 20's & 30's
Review: I remember my mom telling me once that when she asked my grandfather for the money to take the college entrance exam he told her she should go to secretary school like all the other women. There was a time that women weren't allowed to seek their own destiny, be it successful stay at home moms or successful career women. I think my generation of women has forgotten about that and grown too comfortable with delegating our social and political responsibilities. I borrowed a copy of this book from a woman who is my mentor and bought a copy for my mom. But every woman my age and younger should read this so that they remember what came before us, and quite frankly as a career woman who still gets limited by my gender in the workplace, it is important to realize how far we've come and how far we still need to go. I didn't realize how good we have it, having lived on my own, bought my own cars and houses (the book talks about women not being extended lines of credit or losing lines of credit if their husbands died or divorced them --- as late as the 80s). The book has perhaps the best overall message that no matter what path you choose as a woman, what career or life choice, you have that choice now because of the women who came before us... our collective mothers. And it is our calling as daughters to make our mothers proud by not forgetting how valuable that choice is.
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Summary: A must read for every daughter!
Review: I thought I came of age at the start of the women's lib movement but after reading Cokie's book I had to step back and thank my lucky stars that the movement was fomenting long before it became a cause celebre. If it were not for the pioneers of my Mom and Grandmother's generations, women today would not have the opportunities they have. Of course, we always lament that the pace to working equality is slow, but when you realize how far you have come you can have great hope for the future. I have always known that women were special in every way, and that sometimes gets lost today where everyone is judged by what "they do". Way to go, Cokie!
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