Strong Stuff: Mothers' Stories

Rating:
Summary: Exploring Motherhood
Review: All readers invited!! This book has something to satisfy everyone-and not just moms. No mother's story could be told without mentioning the fathers, the children, the friends-so believe me when I say everyone can profit from reading this book. It is definitely "STRONG STUFF" but not without tenderness, warmth, and love-lots of love-woven throughout. In their own words, a wide range of "mothers" volunteer stories about relationships, ancestry, joy, suffering, expectations, disappointments, selflessness and selfishness, successes and failures, regrets and no regrets. We are enticed to at least try a few stories by the author's poignant and articulate introduction about her own mothering experience and her determined evolution of this book. A word of advice-do not let the sometimes awkward and lackluster style of some of the presentations stop you. At first I was put off, until I realized the author had recounted these stories just as the women communicated them-truly in their own words. With each new section of stories by "theme", the author offered another introduction that presented various perspectives,issues and emotions relative to that group of stories. This makes each visit with another mother in another place and in another situation totally fresh. If you did not like the style, or could not identify with the experience of one woman, then just move on to the next, or jump around for that matter. Even though grouped by themes, I sometimes preferred to pick at random and found myself equally satisfied. Whatever you want or need you can take away from these stories. There are lessons learned/ignored, advice shared/disregarded, ideas to ponder/suppress and sometimes just moments experienced with tears, laughter, anger, resentment, gratitude or uneasiness. I can identify one problem--there is not enough!! I want more!! Most of these amazing and at the same time authentic stories are only beginnings, dangling participles. With the last period of these stories there is no end. These are real evolving lives and I feel like screaming sequel! epilogue! Please tell me what is happening now with these remarkable and yet ordinary women who bravely shared their story with me.

Rating:
Summary: Where's the Sequel?
Review: All readers invited!! This book has something to satisfy everyone-and not just moms. No mother's story could be told without mentioning the fathers, the children, the friends-so believe me when I say everyone can profit from reading this book. It is definitely "STRONG STUFF" but not without tenderness, warmth, and love-lots of love-woven throughout. In their own words, a wide range of "mothers" volunteer stories about relationships, ancestry, joy, suffering, expectations, disappointments, selflessness and selfishness, successes and failures, regrets and no regrets. We are enticed to at least try a few stories by the author's poignant and articulate introduction about her own mothering experience and her determined evolution of this book. A word of advice-do not let the sometimes awkward and lackluster style of some of the presentations stop you. At first I was put off, until I realized the author had recounted these stories just as the women communicated them-truly in their own words. With each new section of stories by "theme", the author offered another introduction that presented various perspectives,issues and emotions relative to that group of stories. This makes each visit with another mother in another place and in another situation totally fresh. If you did not like the style, or could not identify with the experience of one woman, then just move on to the next, or jump around for that matter. Even though grouped by themes, I sometimes preferred to pick at random and found myself equally satisfied. Whatever you want or need you can take away from these stories. There are lessons learned/ignored, advice shared/disregarded, ideas to ponder/suppress and sometimes just moments experienced with tears, laughter, anger, resentment, gratitude or uneasiness. I can identify one problem--there is not enough!! I want more!! Most of these amazing and at the same time authentic stories are only beginnings, dangling participles. With the last period of these stories there is no end. These are real evolving lives and I feel like screaming sequel! epilogue! Please tell me what is happening now with these remarkable and yet ordinary women who bravely shared their story with me.

Rating:
Summary: Common Thread
Review: Emily's warm introduction draws you right into this book. Then, in each unique story someone shares intimate parts of their life with us. Human nature is a thread through it all. Even if you are not a mother, you will see yourself in some to these stories. A wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: A polar star for mothering
Review: I read "Strong Stuff" straight through, urged forward by the compelling diverse stories of mothers, some of whom I identified with out of my own experiences and some for whom I felt awe and humility for dealing with challenges greater than I had ever faced. Ms. Moore let the power and dignity of the individuals' voices remain strong and alive in delivering their stories to the reader. If mothering is challenging, step-mothering is even more so, I believe, and as I made up what "mothering" was "supposed to be" in parenting a lovely stepdauther, I wish I had had these stories to guide me along. I gave a copy to my goddaughter who just graduated with a degree in community development; she immediately ordered copies for her colleagues in a regional women's development program, saying it was the best resource of its kind she had seen. For studying, for savoring, for reconsidering one's own mother experience, "Strong Stuff" is not to be missed!

Rating:
Summary: A polar star for mothering
Review: I read "Strong Stuff" straight through, urged forward by the compelling diverse stories of mothers, some of whom I identified with out of my own experiences and some for whom I felt awe and humility for dealing with challenges greater than I had ever faced. Ms. Moore let the power and dignity of the individuals' voices remain strong and alive in delivering their stories to the reader. If mothering is challenging, step-mothering is even more so, I believe, and as I made up what "mothering" was "supposed to be" in parenting a lovely stepdauther, I wish I had had these stories to guide me along. I gave a copy to my goddaughter who just graduated with a degree in community development; she immediately ordered copies for her colleagues in a regional women's development program, saying it was the best resource of its kind she had seen. For studying, for savoring, for reconsidering one's own mother experience, "Strong Stuff" is not to be missed!

Rating:
Summary: A Vermont Reader
Review: If nothing else, Strong Stuff elicits strong emotion. Mine ranged from pure enjoyment, to tears, to anger, to frustration. There were parts that made me want to start mothering all over again; there were parts that made wonder why anyone would want to be a mother in this day and age. Each chapter is a story. Each draws you into the world of the mother in such a way that you can, for an instant, get a glimpse of her struggles or her joys. Ms Moore lets each mother tell her own story, but in the beginning of each section she does a good job threading the stories together and giving them a purpose. The book's format lends itself to reading for pleasure, or for study. But no matter what your original purpose, be ready to be drawn into each and every story.

Rating:
Summary: In My House
Review: In Strong Stuff, Mother's stories, Emily Moore took time to travel across the country and interview women in their "house". The result is a compilation of frank, honest stories told by women who for the most part, let it"all hang out". Being a mother is no easy task. Many woman find it easy, others ask friends and relatives for "the recipe" and even with that, some never seem to get it right. No matter! Ms Moore's book helps us to understand and appreciate that even though different methods and routes were used to achieve the finished product, mothers have done an enviable job that should not be taken lightly.

Rating:
Summary: In My House
Review: In Strong Stuff, Mother's stories, Emily Moore took time to travel across the country and interview women in their "house". The result is a compilation of frank, honest stories told by women who for the most part, let it"all hang out". Being a mother is no easy task. Many woman find it easy, others ask friends and relatives for "the recipe" and even with that, some never seem to get it right. No matter! Ms Moore's book helps us to understand and appreciate that even though different methods and routes were used to achieve the finished product, mothers have done an enviable job that should not be taken lightly.

Rating:
Summary: A compendium of profound insights about women
Review: In Strong Stuff: Mothers' Stories, Emily Moore provides a compendium of profound insights about women, their mothers, and their children. These are compelling and insightful stories drawn from 84 women and which will be of substantial value in helping the reader become the mother she desires to be; to better understand herself and her child; show her options previously unsuspected; benefit from insights and wisdom gleaned from others' experiences; see the lives of women from different cultures and life situations; and even help her decide if she wants to become a mother in a time when science and the women's movement have endowed today's women with biological and social choices respecting motherhood that previous generations of women simply didn't have access to. If you are a new mother, or are contemplating motherhood for your self, read Emily Moore's Strong Stuff: Mothers' Stories!

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Strong Stuff is perfect for health care professionals, agencies which run parenting groups, Women's Studies departments and mothers. It is not a sentimental book about mothering, but instead a series of honest, raw and revealing portraits of mothers. It is fascinating to read between the lines--to understand why each story is so important. The women in the stories have different backgrounds, experiences and mothers of their own which all play a part in their identity and success as a mother. The reader can't help but develop enormous respect for all mothers and for what the mothering process teaches them. Strong Stuff will change or broaden your perspective. And just try to put it down! I described it to a friend and she said, "Amazing!"