It Takes A Village

Rating:
Summary: Praise worthy
Review: Using a common sense approach, Hillary Rodham Clinton reminds us that we ALL have a role in raising children regardless of our state in life.

This role may not be the direct one of a parent, but in helping to create the kind of culture in which the needs of children, be they material, spiritual, educational, etc are easier to meet.

Though she has been viciously and unkindly attacked for everything she does, he commitment continues, which is merely one reason why she is one of the most admired women in America.

Rating:
Summary: Well written (and spoken on audio) and from the heart.
Review: Hillary Rodham Clinton has written a wonderful, thought provoking book. Obviously written from her heart and substantial knowledge of children's issues, it explores how each of us impact children's lives and ultimately our own. Mrs. Clinton has the ability and intelligence to see that and to verbalize it very well in an engrossing book that everyone of us should read. It is too bad that under the dissimulation of a review, some people have chosen to bash it based on their political stand instead of their literary one.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: This book was excellent. It makes people think. I hope Hillary Rodham Cliinton keeps writng books

Rating:
Summary: A must read for teachers and family counselors.
Review: Hillary Rodham Clinton expresses a deep concern for the welfare of the children of the world. The birth of her own child brought home the reality of the many generational, cultural, and societal connections which make up a Village community and how these all affect our role as parent.
In this book about creating community (a Village) for our children, Hillary discusses the deficiencies, the poverty, and the inadequacies of today's family structure. She offers many suggestions and lists community resources, government agencies, and organizations that provide individual and family support. The tone of this book reflects a positive attitude about what can be done in our families and in our community to make changes to improve lifestyles. It is a necessary step towards creating awareness, which will give strength to personal involvement and participation in our own Village community which means "hope for all our children."

Rating:
Summary: It takes a first lady!
Review: Inspirational and thought-provoking! Hillary Clinton tells it as it is. It's time to build one America

Rating:
Summary: An easy read insightful book for the 90's and beyond
Review: Mrs. Clinton provides insightful and alluring ideas about children growing up in the 1990's and beyond. Some sound, sensical information without putting you through the ringer of philisophical thought on childrearing! Only a mom could have written it

Rating:
Summary: In our time it takes every village
Review: I read the First Lady's book roughly a year ago, shortly after it was released. I read it for two reasons. One, because I wanted to read it. Two, because I wanted to see if she could actually write and wasn't just using her position to ensure her place amongst my bookshelf. I am more than happy to say that she fulfilled my hopes. She IS a good writer. The text moves fluidly from subject to subject. There isn't an overuse of mumbo-jumbo and psycho-babble as so many "How to raise your kids books" use. It is peppered with anecdotes from the First Lady's own life. That adds a certain charm and openness to the work. You can almost imagine Mrs. Clinton sitting down with you for a cup of coffee explaining her feelings on the subject. It is well written. As for the political side of it, (This is unavoidable) The First Lady has many detractors, many. Too many will not read the book because they do not like democrats. Others, because they do not like the author's husband. That is tragic. There can be no sound reason for passing up this work. Others have commented on the fact that Mrs. Clinton refers to a better time and a better way of raising children (her family's way). It is viewed as elitist and uncommon, for so many, unrealistic. Why? My own parents come from families very much like the one that Mrs. Clinton comes from. I have heard the stories a thousand times. There were always neighbors watching over my father and keeping him out of trouble. Always an extended family that was made up of the neighborhood or street on which my parents lived. I do not find the First Lady's history unrealistic. Her idealism about a better way is needed. We need idealists. They give us something to hope for, a goal to reach. Then finally the title has come under fire from such sources as the man on the street to the Republican National Convention. It takes a village, an African proverb. It means that in order to raise a child you need the help of many, many people: Teachers, grandparents, husbands, wives, police officers, librarians, nurses, doctors, even (and possibly most importantly) the baby-sitter. Mrs. Clinton extends the meaning to take in the entire nation. We are all responsible for the welfare of our nation's children. We are all responsible for their education. We must all take part in the miracle of raising a child together. Now more than ever we must be a village. We must work together. We must watch each other's back and help. It can not be done alone. In the past a village was more than adequate for producing well-rounded, intelligent, productive adults. In our time it takes every village

Rating:
Summary: Investing in our future?
Review: Democrat, Republican, or Independent, it doesn't matter - "It Takes A Village" has a good message and touches upon a variety of issues regarding our society and children today. Though she does offer some Pollyanna anecdotes about her husband Bill and daughter Chelsea, the book is an enjoyable read and offers some great insights to how our country can rally together for our children.

Mrs. Clinton uses the analogy of the village as a place where the common good of all members, especially the children were taken into consideration and given priority as an investment to the village's future....she compares other nations and uses examples of how their social programs are focusing on children and how successful they appear to be. Mrs. Clinton also incorporates stories of her childhood and the era she was raised in; she does not boast but rather helps us to see how our society has changed and how desperately we need to make provisions to ensure some basics are again instituted in our culture. Mrs. Clinton stresses the importance of adults as role models, how neighborhoods have come together to push crime out of and reclaim their community, how important it is to have safe places to play and stresses the need for bipartisan support in government regarding our children and their education. The need for governmental supported programs for after school, etc. is also mentioned, and that the majority of the changes should start in the home. Mrs. Clinton makes us acutely aware of the media assault that are children are subject to, and that violence, sex and rape have become commonplace via television, music lyrics, and video games.

Mrs. Clinton also touches upon other timely subjects such as gun control, health care, and enhancing public policies to support parents and caregivers. It is evident in reading "It Takes A Village" that Mrs. Clinton has a message: that we need to come together as a society and raise our children collectively and with prudence as an investment in our future.

Rating:
Summary: Socialism is alive and well in Clintonville
Review: What a total advocate for socialism! Hillary will always push for total Government control of all Americans from the cradle to the grave. She makes it very clear in this book that she expects the Government to do what is best for all citizens, and the ultimate product will be all citizens fitting into the same mold of admiration for her as President. I believe she sees her self as a benevolent dictator.

Rating:
Summary: "It Takes an Elitest to Raise Chickens"
Review: Is there anyone who truly believes that Hillary really cares about children, or that she has the slightest idea of what it takes to raise a family? From her lofty perch, she sees people as chickens who need to be managed, feed, medicated, and controlled in order to maximize production and to make things run smoothly for the benefit of those in charge of the coop. Like so many of the professional "do-gooders" of our day, she gets her ideas from a warped top-down view of life. The most dispicable element of our society are those who prey upon children and use them for their own gratification. A close second to this are those who hide behind children to further their own careers and political agendas.