Completely Changed Me

I have been moved and uplifted. Her story, her life have changed me forever. I was raised to think of her as the enemy. A bad person. An NPR interview lead me to purchase the book. I've never been so rapidly opened as I was while reading My Life on the Road.

53 people found this helpful

Such a Good Friend.

What about Debra Winger and Gloria Steinem ’s performance did you like?

I can imagine there were many who would love to take on this project. DW was such an inspired choice, her slightly gravelly voice and access to the humor and deep humanity of GS comes across beautifully. I could almost see her nodding in agreement as she read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, her easy friendships with the working women and men she encounters in her travels speaks volumes. I would love to find myself sitting next to her on a long flight.

Any additional comments?

If you are not familiar with Gloria Steinem, here is a good place to start. No matter what your politics may be, her kindness, loyalty, curiosity and unwavering willingness to learn from every experience is clearly a lesson in speaking the truth.

26 people found this helpful

Wonderful writing, uninspired narration

What made the experience of listening to My Life on the Road the most enjoyable?

Gloria Steinem's story is a lovely, heartfelt, beautifully journey. And while I love Debra Winger, at best, her telling sounded like she had never read the book before at worst, she never connected with the material.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's a biographical, so clearly Gloria Steinem herself.

What didn’t you like about Debra Winger and Gloria Steinem ’s performance?

I really wish Steinem had narrated he entire book so it would have been as good as the intro. Winger was uninspired, monotonous.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

A disappointment... Sad to say.

6 people found this helpful

Silky water around jagged boulders

Gloria's life and times were rarely peaceful, yet she has created a memoir of profound calm and expansive knowledge. Her life has achieved the creation of a movement which is now taken for granted. (one small example: male flight attendants working alongside middle-aged women with perhaps a female pilot.) This book is a satisfying glimpse into a very full life with several goals still remaining.

6 people found this helpful

2015 Best Book I Read This Year of all 65 books!

Florida's book, read by Debra Winger, leaves you wishing for more.
She writes with eloquence and beauty of the quest to amalgamated the topics women have in the equal rights struggles and in her travels she finds humanity at its purest. This is what the struggle is about!
Though the book may be about her quest it is more on the people and only centers on her near the end of her book.
Excellent read that I dare men to read as women will!

5 people found this helpful

Yikes!

The book is full of interesting stories and anecdotes; in fact, I wish I had the book in hand so I could follow up on some of them. That said, linear progression is non-existent in this book, and you never know where in time you are, or where you will end up. Also, Debra Winger as a reader is just plain awful, unless you enjoy hearing powerful stories recited in a flat monotone.

4 people found this helpful

Actually reading the book may be warranted.

Ms. Steinem provided many tales that are educational and eye opening. The time line was hard to follow, as the book doesn't flow according to time, but to "lessons learned" perhaps? Or are grouped according to theme?
I'm not sure if the following is a critique of the book itself, or the narration, but it wasn't clear when one chapter began and the previous ended. This may have been due to Ms. Winger's narration having little emotion, and was somewhat monotonous at times. I think there were even some mispronunciations?
Mostly, I did enjoy the Ms. Steinem's tales of her life: from celebrity and political encounters and opinions, to the lessons she learned from everyday encounters with "normal folk". I was pleasantly surprised by, and intently listened to, her tales of "original peoples". I believe I will read the book myself, as I feel I will get a better feel for the organization and overall themes of the book. Ms. Steinem did narrate the introduction, and to have heard her voice thru the entirety would have been best. But she did relate her fear of public speaking, for which I'm sure this qualifies.

9 people found this helpful

Put decisions in the hands of those having the experience

It's your decision to listen or not listen to this collection of experienced that take place in talking circles, in taxis, cheap hotels and in organizing, grass roots efforts to bring equality to all kinds of people.

Steinem's keen observations and ability to listen and learn from every town and group visited is a rare gift. She comes from a place of abundance - a term coined by author Sarah Ban Breathnacht in her book Simple Abundance.

Steinem's POV turns traditional thinking on its ear. I want to be a better person after reading this book; and to travel an listen more.

9 people found this helpful

Missing Gloria's voice.

I.admire Debra Winger tremendously and loved hearing her voice but I truly missed hearing Gloria Steinem deliver her story.

8 people found this helpful

Interesting story but deadly narration

I'm sorry to say that the stories in this book are burdened buy the flat affect and lifeless narration by Debra Winger. I wish I could re-read it narrated by another person.

8 people found this helpful