Reviews (84)

Status anxiety
Poor Toby Young. This is the memoir of the British journalist, Toby Young, who changed tack on a promising career in London (including a stint at editing the spiky but ill fated Modern Review during which he managed to piss pretty much everyone off including Robert Maxwell) and tried to make it in New York at the Queen of glossy high society mags, Vanity Fair.
God, I feel stupid...
I suppose the dollar or so I was able to pick this thing up for here at Amazon should have told me something. Young is a really unappealing character and just not very funny. Why he has been paid to follow this thing up with a second book is way beyond me. I too hate this guy.

Self-Skewering and Funny Biography
Toby Young's story begins with a nebulous one-month job offer from "Vanity Fair" in New York.Having just closed his British journalistic enterprise, Young is delighted and hopes to achieve great things in America.His missteps begin with Day 1 - he reports to work dressed in his (British) version of casual, and finds himself mistaken for a messenger.Then en route to his "office," he's shown a broom closet that's his, which he takes to be his changing room - actually, it's an office he shares with another.
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Subjects:  1. 1963-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Great Britain    8. Journalists    9. Regional Subjects - MidAtlantic    10. Young, Toby,   

Subjects:  1. American Journalism    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Correspondence    6. General    7. Journalists    8. Literary    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Thompson, Hunter S.    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Literary   

Reviews (2)

Jealous
Jealous
Gone With The Wind
Tom's is a touching and layered story; both a personal bio and a history of New Orleans Jazz and its creators. Tom pulls back the veil and introduces us, in a very personal way, to both his family and biological father, and to the "mens" as his jazz fathers called themselves. A tale of passages; Tom's from childhood to manhood; the mens' passage on to the great second-line in the sky, and, finally, the passage of a way of life for a whole region possibly passed into only the memories of people fortunate enough to have lived it, and a few graying pages.It is a poignant story told well and sure to be loved by all readers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Clarinetists    7. Discrimination & Racism    8. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    9. History and criticism    10. Jazz    11. Jazz musicians    12. Louisiana    13. New Orleans    14. Personal Memoirs    15. Race And Ethnic Relations    16. Regional Subjects - South    17. United States    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Biography: general    20. Contemporary popular music    21. Social history   

Reviews (17)

Splurge on the Hardcover Edition
Perhaps my favorite aspect of Linda Ellerbee's work is what it lacks: whining.
"Isn't it a lovely ride."
Ms Ellerbee has been one of my favorite storytellers since NBC News Overnight, when she would speak the news in such a way that it woke one up, made me curious about the world, and encouraged me to check out the facts for myself firsthand.This fine book is just an extension of her verbal skills.It is full of lovingly written vignettes, worldly experiences, spiritual beauty, salty character, and really tasty recipes from her travel adventures so you can live vicariously, gastronomically, alongside her.Her greatest plotline is to seize the day, day after day, every second of every day.It took me months to finish this book because I didn't want it to end, but during the last few chapters I just couldn't put it down.I'm so grateful to her for sharing these travel stories, these details, these colors and sights and scents of the world.I would recommend this book highly to school librarians, to book clubs, fellow travelers, lovers of the memoir and adventure story, womens' circles, those feeling their years and mortality.It is truly a beam of sunlight.

Fantastic!Makes me want to travel NOW!
A friend heard about this book on NPR.I was looking for a book to read over the holidays--usually I don't splurge on hardbacks, but after hearing how excited he was about it, I decided to get the book as a treat for myself.And what a treat is is!!Linda Ellerbee is a magnificent writer--she is articulate, funny, experienced--and motivating!As a single female who has always been intimidated by solo travel, I was captivated by her adventures.I found myself wanting to set out alone--finally, I understand how satisfying travel by oneself can be!The other fun part of the book is that while it is not a Food Book, it is also about food.The recipes at the end of each chapter are worth the price of the book!When it comes out in paperback, I will use this book for my turn at Book Club.After my copy, I bought three more as gifts.Ellerbee is an inspiration!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Journalism    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cooking    6. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    7. Gastronomy    8. Personal Memoirs    9. Women    10. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (5)

Truth
At last all my questions answered. Great and truthful read. A pleasure to read what I wanted to know. Loved it. Read it.

BREAKING THE CODE OF SILENCE
MR. GARRISON,
Hollywood Newsflash on 'The Newsbreaker!'
Larry Garrison's business charisma, determination and knowledge of the film and television industry have long made him an impeccable resource. The NewsBreaker is a thoughtprovoking, gritty and insightful read!
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography And Autobiography    3. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    4. Garrison, Larry    5. Journalism    6. Mass Media - General    7. Media Studies    8. Performing Arts    9. Performing Arts/Dance    10. Popular Culture - General    11. Sociology    12. Television Journalism    13. Television journalists    14. United States    15. Social Science / Popular Culture   

Reviews (21)

Pat's best yet. Before he became enamored with stupid 'judeo-Christain' gibberish
A very insightful and readable biography
If only this man had been president
Pat Buchanan has been labeled everything from dangerous to nazi.This book proves that he is just the opposite: a strongly principled man who wants what's best for his country. Insightful Autobiography
Buchanan is straightforward in telling why he thinks what he thinks in this intimate portrayal of his developmental years. In the 1950s Washington, D. C. was not the metropolis it is today. Buchanan grew up in the nation's capital during a time of innocence and traditional family values. He describes the cultural influences he had in that era and how strong Christian values established his worldview. The impact individuals had on him, such as his dad, are discussed as he talks about the influence being more by example than rhetoric. He mentions sensing change in the air in the nation's collective viewpoint while in graduate school at Columbia University. Buchanan is a gifted writer. Books like this affirm the essence of what has become cliche, i.e., that truth is often more interesting than fiction.Read more

Subjects:  1. (Patrick Joseph),    2. 1938-    3. 20th century    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Buchanan, Patrick J    7. Conservatism    8. Government - U.S. Government    9. History    10. Journalists    11. Politicians    12. Politics / Current Events    13. United States    14. Biography & Autobiography / Political   

Reviews (2)

Masterfully interviewing the master interviewers
Lisa Phillips is a master interviewer and engaging storyteller--in person as well as in print, as I found out when I attended a signing at my local library. If she appears at a book store or library near you, don't miss the opportunity to hear her read from this wonderful new book. Lisa is an NPR insider who knows what to ask when interviewing people who interview people all the time. This informative and entertaining book will delight all public radio fans!

A Great Read!
This book of profiles is well written and very engrossing.Through a quick and lively prose, the author brings each of her subjects to vivid life right there on the page.I've long been curious about many of the people behind the voices on public radio and this book scratches that itch.I feel like I know them all so much better now when I tune into their programs.I enjoyed this book thoroughly and recomend it highly to all fans of public radio. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Entertainment & Performing Arts - General    6. Public radio    7. Radio - General    8. Radio Broadcasting    9. Radio Journalism    10. Radio broadcasters    11. Radio journalists    12. United States   

Reviews (2)

Better to read the original version in English
Me pregunto quién hizo la traducción en español porque hay varios errores aparte de traducciones raras como "la tarjeta verde" ¿qué les pasa?Mejor hay que leer la versión original, que es en ingles.No creo que sea culpa de Ma. Elena Salinas pero que lastima que nadie editó esta malísima traducción.O mejor lean "Atravesando Fronteras" de Jorge Ramos si quieren leer algo en español.En fin, es una historia muy interesante la del padre de Ma. Elena Salinas, y muy conmovedora, sobretodo el epílogo, que es una hermosa carta a su padre, todos los padres que tienen hijas deberían de leerla.

Excellent autobiographical sketch of the immigrant experience.
This book is her own autobiographical sketch from the viewpoint of a daughter of an immigrant, journalist and social commentator; she puts together her whole as a person and brings the reader down to the conclusion that as an individual we are what are parents shaped us to be. As a reporter she documents and researches her family roots that she thought she knew until her fathers best friend gives her fathers box of secrets, then and there she realizes that she really didn't know who her father really was. From that point on she goes through a chilling journey of discovering her own roots and eventhough she doesn't find all the correct answers , every step of the way she discovers more about herself and how important family values are for the individual. This is my own conclusion from her readings, we are who we are do to our predessesors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    4. Entertainment & Performing Arts - Television Personalities    5. General    6. Salinas, Marâia Elena    7. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    8. Women    9. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (44)

A Cautionary Tale, and an Old Sad Story
While the cast of characters in this story whirling around Ms. Hayt, the protagonist, are the overly educated, upwardly mobile denizens of New York City and its suburbs; with the fast-talking and the intellectualism and all eyes focused on seats of power; this memoir, in the final analysis, details a old sad story, and it's this:
Honi soit qui mal y pense!
I greatly enjoyed this book, avidly turning the pages to see what would happen next as it hurtled towards its not-happy but smart and true-to-life ending.Although much of the author's behavior is not what genteel society would call, er, edifying, the self-awareness with which it is described (particularly from a psychoanalytical point of view, e.g., pleasing the father, narcissism, emotional insecurity, etc.) exposes human drives that many share but most bury under layers of good manners and that indefatigable will to please.Hayt is unsparing towards herself, almost self-destructive in her candor, and we are the beneficiaries.She also has a natural way with words, and linguistic gems lie everywhere, often adorning less than pretty entanglements.But even when things are their worst, her delicious sense of humor lightens her experiences, which are those of someone who has gone out on a limb, often and dangerously, while yearning for shelter.Yes, a tale of ambiguity, playing everywhere.

Brutal Candor
I have noticed that there is a lack of objectivity in the skill set of reviewers when it comes to covering the quality of the book. Memoirs are supposed to be candid, that's why we enjoy them so much- we can peep into another's possibly lurid encounters. I can detach myself enough to not insist on either deifying nor defending the author! That being said-the author does not spare any effort to tell the whole nasty truth- look no further than the sub title to see her use that same word to describe her tale.I was actually admiring her for parts of the journey , and I almost feel sorry for her at times because she is so self absorbed and opportunistic- especially when it comes to her immediate family- I won't "spoil the ending", but it seems the key players finally become Un clueless after all is said and done. The major defect in her character is that she is sort of chilly, hedonistic, definitely unsympathetic and not cuddly- how could a man fell safe around her? I really enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down, like her or not she is brave brash and witty- and much too candid for her own good ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    5. General    6. Psychology Of Women    7. Sexuality    8. Sociology Of Women    9. Women    10. Biography & Autobiography / General    11. Biography: general    12. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (31)

The book changed my life.
From buying it (i think) 2 days early and reading over a very nice summer weekend in june 1995, i knew this book was - just- different. Amazing use of the language, probably the best crip biography to date (and it's well over a decade now. Based my Honors Thesis in College on what Hockenberry wrote in this book, traveled miles and miles to see his off broadway play, speaking dates across the country, and even got to know myself - and him, better as well, he ain't on nbc anymore, but this still stands as probably one of the must reads in disability studies or crip liberation.

Unforgettable Stories That Continue To Resonate With Me
Read this book almost ten years ago.Still can't stop thinking about it.Did all this really happen?Is it happening still?Funny, sad, courageous, all of that, and more than that.Poetic, quixotic... almost other-worldly.Spun from the mind of a visionary, a comic, a journalist, with voice as warm as maple-syrup, familiar and self-deprecating, surely in this account we know what it's like to be Hockenberry, as certainly as he lets us know what it's like to be anyone else he writes about, talks about, covers with an excellence and professionalism rarely matched in journalism, and the chip on his shoulder which still gets him the job he wants, the location he wants, and then run out of town on a rail, that is, after they run him into town on a rail.The 1990 ADA cuts both ways, this book will stay with you, long after the prosaic rocks skips and eddies endlessly on a modern day Walden Pond, that is one man's life... on wheelies.
Coming to Terms with Disability
This book contains the memoirs of John Hockenberry, a well-known journalist who is disabled. Hockenberry takes us through a blow-by-blow account of the accident which left him paralyzed from the chest down.He explains the nature and extent of his injuries and describes his experiences in the rehab hospital where he learned how to manage the needs of daily life from his wheelchair.He then takes us through the details of his young adult years, his education, marriage, and career.The only aspect of the book that I did not like was that Hockenberry occasionally gets a little heavy-handed with philosophizing.The extensive self-analysis, however is understandable, since this is very much a book about coming to terms with his life-to-date and his culture.
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Subjects:  1. American Journalism    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. General    7. Handicapped    8. Journalists    9. Paraplegics    10. Specific Groups - General    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (4)

A winner!
This is a truly delightful read...Gellhorn's wit and courage shine through.Her observations and insight are so interesting.You will enjoy this book.

the best
As a traveller and a reader, this is one of the best books i have read in a very long time.

Excellent!
One of the finest books I have read on the subject of travel, in a class with the best of Theroux and Chatwin. Take on your next trip along with a battered straw hat..! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1908-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    5. Gellhorn, Martha,    6. Literary    7. Travel    8. Voyages and travels    9. Women    10. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs    11. Personal Christian testimony & popular inspirational works   

Reviews (7)

a must for all aspiring journalists!!!!
I read this book in college as part of the journalism curriculum. I was skeptical at first, thinking it would be boring like the other required reqdings for class, but to my surprise, it turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read! I even recommended it to a friend recently. All aspiring journalists will be even more motivated to get out into the field once they have read this book!

Fascinating!
This book is a gem. Once I picked it up, I could not put it down. I even had to rush to the bookstore to pick up Never Let Them See You Cry. This woman has a refreshing tell-it-like-is tone. A truly wonderful book about one of America's most colorful cities.

Best of the Best
This is my all-time favorite book. It inspires and enthralls. I am glad to see that Amazon carries it. Edna Buchanan truly is a great talent of our time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Crime    4. Crime and the press    5. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    6. Florida    7. General    8. Journalists    9. Miami    10. Murder - General    11. True Crime    12. True Crime / General   

Reviews (15)

Don't just watch the movie!
My husband and I listened to the audio version of this book during a road trip to Colorado. I'd already seen Good Night and Good Luck, so I felt like I had an idea of what we'd be learning about Murrow in this book. I was wrong. This man led a full, rich, and amazing life. He achieved so many wonderful things, not the least of which was setting our expectations about what journalism could (and should) be. I think the one thing I took away from the book is that if I see good journalism, I should let the station know. Too often, I just send emails when I get all huffy about something and not when I see good, balanced reporting on issues important to the community and the country.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Edward R. Murrow
Bob Edwards has written two books. His first, "Mornings with Red," is way superior to the second. Now, "Mornings with Red" is terrific, so let's not condemn "Edward R. Murrow and the Birth of Broadcast Journalism." But let's just say it did what it set out to do -- and nothing more. Edwards admits as much in the first couple of pages, when he recommends previous books devoted to Murrow and his boys.

Murrow transformed the medium and through it the world
Although I grew up with parents and teachers extolling the legacy of Murrow, I never experienced his live broadcasts. EDWARD R. MURROW AND THE BIRTH OF BROADCAST JOURNALISM brings home the man and his achievements. He was one of those rare forces who through the combination of personality, knowledge and will became an agent of change. Had Murrow, whose career aspirations were to be an educator, not come along with the notion that radio could do something other than convey live concerts and other entertainment, broadcast journalism might still be playing catch-up. Bob Edwards does a good job of portraying the state of the media from the 1930's into the 1960's, the period of Murrow's rise and, alas, decline. He may have brought the war in Europe live to Americans and, by letting the truth into every home, unmasked McCarthyism, but he was, in the end, no match for the corporate politics and ratings races that had infused broadcast journalism by the late 1950's.
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Subjects:  1. American Journalism    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Broadcasting    5. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    6. Journalism    7. Journalists    8. Language    9. Language Arts & Disciplines    10. Media Studies    11. Media Studies - Electronic Media    12. Murrow, Edward R    13. United States    14. Electronics & Communications Engineering    15. History    16. Social Science / Popular Culture    17. The Arts: General Issues    18. USA   

Editorial Review

David Brock made his name (and big money) by trashing Anita Hill as "alittle bit nutty and a little bit slutty." But it was Brock's reporting that wasnutty and slutty, he confesses in the riveting memoir Read more

Reviews (352)

pseudo-conservatives
In his 1950 study of the authoritarian personality, Theodor Adorno constructed a political-psychological profile of people he called "pseudo-conservatives." These were people who called themselves conservatives but in truth adhered to political agendas that betrayed the ideals of individual freedom and free markets. Pseudo-conservatives were motivated by hate, fear, and power, not the desire to conserve or guarantee liberty. A few years later, the eminent historian Richard Hofstadter appropriated Adorno's term in describing what he called "the paranoid style in American politics."In Adorno and Hofstadter's day, this paranoid style of pseudo-conservativism was still in its embryonic state, personified by the rantings of Joseph McCarthy but still far from being the game plan for the Republican Party as a whole. David Brock's Blinded by the Right chronicles how this movement slithered its way into power long before anyone had heard of Karl Rove, whose name isn't even listed in the index.
Interesting mea culpa
After hearing about this book a great deal from many people, I finally had to give it a read.What I got was a mostly well written account about how Brock gave the neo-con movement exactly what they wanted in terms of what can only be called propaganda.Brock does a good job in exposing the oft-ridiculed "vast right-wing conspiracy".
There is a constitutional right to hate
This book is a terrible exposure of the powers behind the (extreme) right in the US, of their methods, of their foot-folk and their `morals'. Read more

Subjects:  1. 1946-    2. 1962-    3. 20th century    4. Adversaries    5. Biography    6. Biography & Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Brock, David,    9. Clinton, Bill,    10. Conservatism    11. Conspiracies    12. Government - U.S. Government    13. History    14. History & Theory - General    15. Journalists    16. Political    17. Politics / Current Events    18. United States    19. United States - 20th Century (1945 to 2000)    20. Biography & Autobiography / Political    21. Biography: general    22. Biography: political    23. Political leaders & leadership   

Reviews (63)

Fascinating memoir, full of interesting anecdotes and views on China
Jan Wong's account starts with her move to China from Canada to attend university just as the Cultural Revolution dawned.Naive, idealistic and fascinatedby Mao, she cheerfully went to the farms to work and describes her own complicity in the tragedies of the time.It is only when the Cultural Revolution is ended and the country suddenly turns around, denouncing most of what the CR had stood for, does she start to think for herself.It may also have had something to do with realizing that her college education was wasted, and that people in China know students from those years did not learn anything.
Excellent Memoir
This superb memoir by Canadian Jan Wong describes her student and worker days in China during the latter part of the Cultural Revolution.Rebelling against the middle class values of her Chinese immigrant parents, Wong left for China in the early 1970's as an eager young Maoist.The author describes her student days at Beijing University, her life on a rural farm commune, and her eventual transformation from na�ve idealist to disillusioned realist.Wong left for home six years later, but returned to Beijing in 1988 as foreign correspondent for the Toronto Globe Mail.There she witnessed the stunning prosperity China suddenly enjoyed along with the tragedy of Tiananmen Square. I read this eloquent 1996 memoir shortly after visiting China and found the author's analysis completely on target.
A must-read if you're planning to visit China
I read the book before traveling to China.It was invaluable in helping me understand recent Chinese history.Wong's story helped me understand what someone experienced during the Cultural Revolution.We had a speaker who told many of the same kinds of stories.This book helped make my visit to China richer, more meaningful and interesting.Her images prepared me for what I would be viewing myself.Very well-written and interesting to read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Canada    6. China    7. Historical - General    8. History    9. Journalists    10. Journeys    11. Women    12. Wong, Jan    13. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Editorial Review

In the year following South Africa's first democratic elections, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to investigate human rights abuses committed under the apartheid regime. Presided over by God's own diplomat, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the first hearings of the commission were held in April 1996. During the following two years of hearings, South Africans were daily exposed to revelations and public testimony about their traumatic past, and--like the world that looked on--continued to discover that the relationship between truth and reconciliation is far more complex than they had ever imagined. Read more

Reviews (16)

One more step on the road to Zimbabwe
As a British engineer living in South Africa for 15 years I obviously lived on another planet compared to this lady. Maybe because I worked in black townships and saw things as an outside observer I was not burdened by self loathing and idealistic fantasy that make up much of this work. Sure bad things happen in old wars in Africa or new ones like Iraq, but I can't help feeling that we have been here before. Atrocities happened in Rhodesia but despite the false dawn and liberal accolades that welcomed Mugabe in the same way them as they welcomed Mandela now, we ended up with worse country not a better one. I think that when we all look back on this period in years to come and unburdened by the current plague of political correctness that blights our times, we will realise that those who should ask for forgiveness are the liberal media elites who destroyed South Africa and the hopes of all its people both black and white.

powerful and important account of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearings.....
This is simply a fantastic piece of literature, written by a very talented, brave, and steadfast journalist, the great Antjie Krog.Krog, an Afrikaaner (South-African born Caucasian), as part of the South African Broadcasting Corporation's commitment to covering the ongoing stories of torture, abuse, murder and countless other violations to human rights revealed at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Hearings in 1996, recounts many, of a cross section of stories, here in this book.We also get a strong sense of the psychological and emotional toll it takes, to bare witness to the stories, told by, both, victims and victimizers.Children were left orphans, wives were left widows, casualties were left permanently disfigured and disabled, in the aftermath of extensive race riots in South Africa, following apartheid (or the enforced segregation of Blacks from Whites) in neighboring townships, throughout the town of Soweto, and beyond.
Powerful
Krog does a fine job of writing this powerful book.The movie "Inside my Country" does a good job of putting it on screen, but the book is more gripping.I would also strongly recommend "A TELLING TIME" by Glynnis Hayward for more reading on this period in South African history.It is a well-written novel, based in fact, that is a real page-turner. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa - South - South Africa    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Editors, Journalists, Publishers    4. General    5. History    6. International Relations - General    7. Politics/International Relations    8. Current Events / International   

Reviews (48)

A Passionate Compelling Work
It is sometimes said that each of us has one great book to write, but that few of us will have the talent, time and inclination to write it. And if so, then this is Nicholas Gage's great book, and time, talent and inclination were clearly not lacking.
Very intriguing
I found the book to be awonderful read, very historical and insightful yet intensely emotional.

Eleni Gatsoyiannis....we remember you always.
This work of masterpiece has been widely sold even in Europe.I got it precisely in Lugano city.I even saw the movie in a cinema about nineteen years ago.It was astonishing and rather enchanting.A true story,a great love.Every 'mother' should read this book or see the movie.It's extremely worthwhile.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Civil War, 1944-1949    5. Gage, Nicholas    6. Gatzoyiannis, Eleni    7. Greece    8. Historical - General    9. History    10. Journalists    11. United States    12. Biography & Autobiography / Historical   

Editorial Review

Jennifer Lauck conveys the perceptions, thoughts, and emotions of afrightened child with utter conviction and vivid immediacy in her remarkablememoir of the six years during which both of her parents died. Lauck opens in 1969,when she is 5 and her 31-year-old mother is entering the final phase of a decadeof severe health problems. Momma is beautiful and loving; we feel the tenderintimacy between mother and daughter, even as we see that Jennifer has assumed alot of adult responsibilities that make her fearful and obsessed with rules.Eight-year-old brother Bryan responds to Momma's illnesses with anger, and isoften cruel to his sister. High-powered, workaholic Daddy does his best, butis not around a lot. (The adult author subtly depicts the kids' half-consciousunderstanding that Daddy is seeing other women.) As Momma's health worsens andthe family moves to Southern California to be near a better hospital, Lauckcaptures in painful detail the atmosphere of physical decay that surrounds amortally ill woman. Momma dies on Bryan's 10th birthday. In short order, Daddyhas moved them all in with Deb, who obviously has been his girlfriend for awhile, and events spiral down from there. Daddy dies of a heart attack beforeJennifer turns 10; Deb keeps the stepchildren (whom she dislikes) so that shecan get their social security allotment; Jennifer is sent out to work at aresidence that is run by Deb's creepy Freedom Community Church. She is 11 by thetime that her aunt and uncle rescue her--a moment that is nearly as exultant for readersas it is for the girl whose trials they have shared for nearly 400 pages. Herharrowing story might sound unrelievedly grim in the retelling, but Lauck's lackof self-pity and the delicacy of her prose transform it into an odyssey ofendurance and transcendence. Read more

Reviews (105)

Engrossing, But Did It H