The Worst Journey in the World
by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 April, 1997)
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Editorial Review

As Apsley Cherry-Garrard states in his introduction to theharrowing story of the Scott expedition to the South Pole, "PolarExploration is at once the cleanest and most isolated way of having abad time which has been devised." Cherry-Garrard's The WorstJourney in the World is a gripping account of an expedition gonedisastrously wrong. The youngest member of Scott's team, the author waslater part of the rescue party that eventually found the frozen bodiesof Scott and three men who had accompanied Scott on the final push tothe Pole. These deaths would haunt Cherry-Garrard for the rest of hislife as he questioned the decisions he had made and the actions he hadtaken in the days leading up to the Polar Party's demise.

Prior to this sad denouement, Cherry-Garrard's account is filledwith details of scientific discovery and anecdotes of human resiliencein a harsh environment. Each participant in the Scott expedition isbrought fully to life. Cherry-Garrard's recollections are supported bydiary excerpts and accounts from other teammates. Despite the sad fateof Scott, the reader will grudgingly agree with the closing words ofThe Worst Journey in the World: "Exploration is thephysical expression of the Intellectual Passion. And I tell you, if youhave the desire for knowledge and the power to give it physicalexpression, go out and explore.... If you march your Winter Journeys youwill have your reward, so long as all you want is a penguin'segg." ... Read more

Reviews (40)

Classic description of the race for the South Pole
This is the classic work describing the experience of life in the Antarctic during the Heroic Age, written by a participant.Apsley Cherry-Garrard went "South with Scott" in 1912.Unlike his expedition leader, Cherry-Garrard came home to England - minus most of his teeth, but alive.One of England's richest young men, he seemed to have every prospect of succeeding in whatever new challenges life would throw at him.And yet, for Cherry-Garrard, his years with Scott's Last Expedition would prove to be the most intense and all-consuming experience of his life, and in a very real sense he would spend the rest of his days re-living his days in the Antarctic.

Cherry-Garrard wrote and rewrote his memories to produce this classic book.It interleaves pages from his diary, quotes and letters from many of Cherry-Garrard's surviving expedition comrades, memories, and reminiscences - some of them startingly piercing and balanced.The reputation of Robert Scott and his fellow explorers has come under sharp scrutiny in recent decades, with many criticisms pointed at the explorer's weaknesses.In many cases these criticisms are based upon Cherry-Garrard's own sharp insights and balanced judgment.

In the end, however, Cherry-Garrard was loyal to his dead commander and deceased comrades.The men who died on their way back from the South Pole, Robert Scott, Dr. Edward Wilson, "Birdie" Bowers, "Titus" Oates, and Edgar Evans, had been among Cherry-Garrard's closest friends in life.Cherry-Garrard is honest enough to point out the mistakes they all made, but his concluding judgment is that these men wrote a page of heroic endeavor that is unlikely to ever be surpassed.Read about it here.

The best adventure book
National Geographic named "The Worst Journey in the World" the best adventure book of all time.I won't disagree -- although perhaps this book is more about mis-adventures than adventures.

The author was the youngest member of Robert Falcon Scott's 1910-1913 expedition to Antarctica.He became one of Scott's most valued colleagues, but fortunately for himself and literature he was not selected as one of the four members of the expedition to accompany Scott to the South Pole.None of those five survived.

In 600 pages, Cherry-Garrard describes the hazards and hardships of living and working in Antarctica.However, although one admires the courage and persistence of the members of Scott's expedition, it is clear from the beginning of the book that the expedition was an amateur affair.The Norwegian Amundson beat Scott to the South Pole and returned safely with a minimum of fuss and bother by giving a maximum of attention to technology (Innuit dogs and clothing and Scandinavian skis) and planning.Much of the hardship described so vividly by Cherry Garrard was self-inflicted -- even though the journeys were truly the "worst in the world."Cherry Garrard's account of a expedition in the dark of an Antarctic winter with temperatures down to a whomping minus 77 F is an example of bull-headed hardiness and an affirmation of the old cliche that adventures are a sign of incompetence. (Read Jack London's story "To Build a Fire" about the dangers of going out in temperatures lower than minus 50 degrees.)

As a reading experience "The Worst Journey in the World" is as good as you will find anywhere -- but it's not a perfect book.Annotation and explanatory notes would make some things clearer to the reader. Photographs and better maps would also help.You may be inspired to seek out other books about Polar exploration which, like mountain climbing and fly fishing, seems to attract people who can write.

Smallchief

They felt like friends when I was done.
As an American I don't even recall being taught anything at all about Scott and his men when I was in school.
I saw a article in a Life magazine special that got me curious and did a web search and discovered Cherry's excellent book.
Its my favorite adventure book of all time and the men were a different breed than most today. Bowers in particular sounded amazing, I think I'd rather have a conversation with him than Scott if I had the ability to go back in time and meet only one.
Sure there was the occasional dry spell but considering the age of the book I thought it was remarkably contemporary sounding.
Most amazing of all to me though was the fact that after reading the book at least 3 months ago I still think about it at least every other day!
Not only that it seems like Cherry, Scott, Bowers, Wilson and Evans were old friends of mine that in my opinion is a true testament to Cherry's writing.

I wish it had more pictures but I guess you can't have everything.

P.S. I can't help but looking at modern things and modern problems and thinking what would Bowers think of that or Cherry, I'm sure they'd be depressed at the overall state of morals around the world and Englands decline would suprise them but in particular I wonder what they would think of modern clothing and stuff like GPS. ... Read more

Isbn: 0786704373
Subjects:  1. (1910-1913)    2. Antarctic regions    3. Antarctica    4. British    5. British Antarctic ("Terra Nova") Expedition    6. British Antarctic ('Terra Nova    7. Discovery And Exploration (General)    8. Discovery and exploration    9. Expeditions & Discoveries    10. History    11. History - General History    12. History: World    13. Polar Regions    14. United States - General   

Georgiana : Duchess of Devonshire (Modern Library (Paperback))
by AMANDA FOREMAN
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (16 January, 2001)
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Editorial Review

Georgiana Spencer was, in a sense, an 18th-century It Girl. She came from one of England's richest and most landed families (the late Princess Diana was a Spencer too) and married into another. She was beautiful, sensitive, and extravagant--drugs, drink, high-profile love affairs, and even gambling counted among her favorite leisure-time activities. Nonetheless, she quickly moved from a world dominated by social parties to one focused on political parties. The duchess was an intimate of ministers and princes, and she canvassed assiduously for the Whig cause, most famously in the Westminster election of 1784. By turns she was caricatured and fawned on by the press, and she provided the inspiration for the character of Lady Teazle in Richard Sheridan's famous play The School for Scandal. But her weaknesses marked the last part of her life. By 1784, for one, Georgiana owed "many, many, many thousands," and her creditors dogged her until her death.

Biographer Amanda Foreman describes astutely the mess that surrounded the personal relationships of the aristocratic subculture (Georgiana and the duke engaged for many years in a ménage à trois with Lady Elizabeth Fraser, who inveigled her way into the duke's bed and the duchess's heart). Foreman is, by her own admission, a little in love with her subject, which can lead to occasional lapses of perspective, but generally it adds zest to a narrative built on, rather than burdened by, scholarship, that is at once accessible and learned. An impressive debut, in every sense. --David Vincent, Amazon.co.uk ... Read more

Reviews (47)

Difficult Read
With all the "sexy" things that happened to the subject, this could have been much more interesting. Perhaps the author was showing restraint in not ascribing perceived emotions, reactions, etc. Foreman's research is amazing and she deserves credit for her hard work. However, the book is somewhat dry and hard to follow; I was skimming it toward the end.

Fascinating portrayal of a spirited woman
Foreman really draws the reader into the interesting life of Georgiana, one of the most influential women in 18thC society.This is a very well-written portrait and makes for great reading. It contained a bit more about the politics of the time than is of interest to me, but for those interested in such things I imagine all of that was entirely riveting.I was most interested in Georgiana the woman and what motivated her, and here Foreman did not disappoint.An excellent biography and an eye-opening look in to the 18th Century.

Another Brilliant, if Histrionic, Spencer Girl
The selling point of Amanda Foreman's hugely successful "Georgiana: Duchess of Devonshire" was that she hailed from the same family as Princess Diana, and that she too was beautiful, blonde and bulimic.This connection probably gave Foreman an early boost in the book sales department, but what clinched this book's bestseller status was the compelling narrative of Georgiana's life:born into one of England's most ancient and preeminent landed families, she was then married off into one of its richest: to this day, the Cavendishes (i.e, the Dukes of Devonshire) overshadow virtually all but the Royal Family in terms of inherited wealth.Georgiana, however, is a perfect specimen of the educated woman in the Age of Reason: she dabbled in politics, geology, literature gambling, adultery and Continental travel - visiting Gibbon in Geneva and then becoming fast friends with Marie Antoinette.High points of her political achievements include a political alliance with Charles James Fox, and a masterful electoral campaign, on his behalf, for the seat of Westminster.The sadder aspects of her life can be found in her unstable relationship with her own husband, her doomed relationships with other men, a strange love triangle with her live-in friend Elizabeth and a series of health crises that robbed her of her looks.One of the best biographies of the late 18th century. ... Read more

Isbn: 0375753834
Subjects:  1. 1757-1806    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer    7. Devonshire, William Cavendish,    8. Duchess of,    9. Duke of,    10. Great Britain    11. Historical - British    12. Nobility    13. Political    14. Royalty    15. Women    16. Women politicians    17. Biography & Autobiography / Royalty    18. Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer Cavendish    19. Devonshire, William Cavendish    20. Marriage   

The Life of Elizabeth I
by ALISON WEIR
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (05 October, 1999)
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Editorial Review

The long life and powerful personality of England's beloved Virgin Queen have eternal appeal, and popular historian Alison Weir depicts both with panache. She's especially good at evoking the physical texture of Tudor England: the elaborate royal gowns (actually an intricate assembly of separate fabric panels buttoned together over linen shifts), the luxurious but unhygienic palaces (Elizabeth got the only "close stool"; most members of her retinue relieved themselves in the courtyards), the huge meals heavily seasoned to disguise the taste of spoiled meat. Against this earthy backdrop, Elizabeth's intelligence and formidable political skills stand in vivid relief. She may have been autocratic, devious, even deceptive, but these traits were required to perform a 45-year tightrope walk between the two great powers of Europe, France and Spain. Both countries were eager to bring small, weak England under their sway and to safely marry off its inconveniently independent queen. Weir emphasizes Elizabeth's precarious position as a ruling woman in a man's world, suggesting plausibly that the single life was personally appealing as well as politically expedient for someone who had seen many ambitious ladies--including her own mother--ruined and even executed for just the appearance of sexual indiscretions. The author's evaluations of such key figures in Elizabeth's reign as the Earl of Leicester (arguably the only man she ever loved) and William Cecil (her most trusted adviser) are equally cogent and respectful of psychological complexity. Weir does a fine job of retelling this always-popular story for a new generation. --Wendy Smith ... Read more

Reviews (105)

Highly Detailed And Ravishingly Entertaining.
Nowadays the most fascinating news we can hope to attain from the British monarchy is where Prince Harry was caught smoking dope or punching a cameraman. But all histories have their moments of real fascination, within the English monarchy there is no more universally appealing story than that of Elizabeth I. The 1998 movie only helps to show just how iconic Elizabeth is, probably the most iconic queen England has ever produced. Alison Weir's "The Life Of Elizabeth I" is a magnificent book that chronicles the life of Elizabeth and in rich detail explores both the icon and her human side, Weir bravely takes on the rumous about Elizabeth's love affairs and explores each one. She also brilliantly transports us to the England of the 1500s, giving us a tour of a world where death was almost certain before the age of 41 and where being a Protestant or Catholic was not simple religious association like today, but a position that could very well mean life or death. The character of Elizabeth that Weir builds is that of a strong-willed, independent-thinking queen who was not afraid to speak her mind, be natural (yet still retain a sense of the formal and majestic) and had the wits to take on powerful enemies and survive to see another day and establish the England that gave us Shakespeare. Weir does not however only present Elizabeth the icon, she also lays bare the theories of why Elizabeth would not marry and who her lovers were (Weir leaves it for the reader to decide if any of the relationships might have been sexual). There are also brilliant comedic moments where you laugh and smile at some of the outrageous, almost ridiculous situations Elizabeth would find herself in with a world pressuring her to marry and provide an heir. One of the special things we get from reading "The Life Of Elizabeth I" is the sense that this author loves the subject and has obsessed herself with it. This is such a detailed, monumental work that it deserves to be read more than once to be able to process all the information, emotions and history. The world has had it's share of intriguing, towering leaders from Alexander The Great to Winston Churchill, Elizabeth is surely among them and Weir's book not only informs you but gives you the sense that you have gotten to know the character.

Deliberately limited in scope, so limited in appeal
In her introduction to "The Life of Elizabeth I," Alison Weir states that it "was never meant to be a political biography, nor did I intend to write a social history of the times. My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign...." If that dovetails with your interest in Elizabeth I at this time, then this book may be for you. I, on the other hand, failed to grasp the earnestness of Weir's caveat before starting the book, and ended up frustrated by its deliberately limited scope.

Like Weir's captivating "The Children of Henry VIII" and "The Princes in the Tower," this book benefits from her exceptional research skills--though maybe too much. It covers in excruciatingly fine detail, almost to tedium, every angry scowl and fit of pique (and there were evidently many), every chaste romance and court squabble Elizabeth had during her reign. Unfortunately, Weir seems to have trouble managing the volume of details, and they frequently detract from the flow of her writing. This enslavement to connecting every available dot also costs her the passionate storytelling that made "The Children" and "The Princes" so engaging.

Rightly, however, Weir delves deeply into Elizabeth's love affair with Robert Dudley and into the machinations of her several non-marriages. Weir does a passable job of conveying Elizabeth's emotions, and you can feel the queen's sadness at Dudley's death. But Elizabeth's life offers so much material that Weir is required to move on immediately, continuing to hop from topic to topic in order to touch every milestone within a reasonable page count. In the end, I found myself wanting more information on things merely hinted at, such as religious burnings and court behavior, which the book is simply not intended to cover.

By not going into sufficient detail on Elizabeth's statesmanship, her place among her contemporaries, her imprint on history, and the culture of the time, Weir gives the reader little context in which to understand Elizabeth's choices and actions. That's fine for a reader who is familiar with Elizabeth's era and political role, but for someone looking for a well-rounded introduction to her as a historical character, this isn't the book. At least it wasn't for me.

"The Life" is a valuable companion to the political biographies available on Elizabeth; after spending several laborious weeks slogging through it, I plan to read one of them and figure out what it really means. I give "The Life" four stars because of Weir's skill and accomplishment--I give myself zero stars for not taking her warning more seriously.

A rich and colorful account of Elizabeth's personal life.
Elizabeth I was one of the most impressive monarchs in European history. Born in 1533 of Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, she was declared illegitimate upon Anne's execution. Elizabeth's childhood was turbulent, and it was much a matter of luck that she ever came to power at all, preceded in the line of succession by her half-siblings Edward and Mary, and her legitimacy being a matter of heated debate. Elizabeth finally ascended the throne in 1558, at age twenty-five, upon Mary's death. From the very start she faced adversity. After Queen Mary (nicknamed "Bloody Mary" by an unadoring public), most Englishmen were unenthusiastic about having another female ruler. To succeed, Elizabeth would need to present herself to her people as an almost superhuman figure, a symbol of both strength and purity.

Those considering this book should first be aware of what it's primary purpose is. It deals mainly with Elizabeth's private and social life. Politics does of course come into the book, as it can't be entirely separated from the life of a monarch, but this is not its main focus. Weir writes in her preface: "This was never meant to be a political biography, nor did I intend to write a social history of the times. My aim has always been to write a history of Elizabeth's personal life within the framework of her reign . . . The manuscript was originally entitled "The Private Life of Elizabeth I," but it very soon became apparent that Elizabeth's 'private' life was very public indeed, hence the change of title." The bulk of the book concerns itself with Elizabeth's relationships with other people, both personal and diplomatic. And much of this took the form of courtships. Elizabeth recognized her ability to use herself as a pawn, turning her biggest challenge - her gender - into an asset, and manipulating fellow rulers through the marriage market. She took full advantage of this, often to the exasperation of all around her.

And of course, no account of Elizabeth's personal life would be complete without much attention paid to her particular relationship with Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. Weir does an admirable job in exploring the complexities of this friendship and star-crossed romance, offering one of the most compelling accounts of it that I've read anywhere. Many people have embellished the story of Elizabeth and Dudley, letting their imaginations run wild around all the details that we cannot know for sure, but Weir remains objective and honest, acknowledging the facts and offering her well-reasoned opinions, either in affirmation or refutation, of the common rumors.

Long a fan of Queen Elizabeth I, and of the Elizabethan period of British history as a whole, I dove into this book with eagerness and, since I had previously read and been impressed with Weir's "The Six Wives of Henry VIII," high expectations as well. I was not disappointed at all. One of the striking characteristics of Weir's books is their readability. Unlike much of the dry material put out by Academia, her writing is full of life and highly accessible to a general audience. "The Life of Elizabeth I" reads more like a story than a biography, remaining rich in detail but arranging the information in such a way that it stimulates rather than strangles the reader. Elizabeth really comes alive through Weir's words, and one gets to know her most intimately as Weir reveals all the nuances of her character, strengths and weaknesses alike. The book also offers a wealth of information on lifestyles and customs of the time, painting a colorful background for Elizabeth's life.

Included at the back are an extensive bibliography, clearly showing how exhaustively Weir researched for this book; genealogical tables on the Tudors, the Boleyns and Howards, and the Dudleys; a thorough index, making it easy to refer back information on any person, place, or event connected with Elizabeth's life; and a "Reader's Guide" that includes discussion questions for reading groups. This is one of the most engaging and informative biographies I've ever read, and I recommend it most highly to anyone interested in Tudor history. Well worth the read. ... Read more

Isbn: 0345425502
Subjects:  1. 1533-1603    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Elizabeth    7. Great Britain    8. Historical - British    9. Queen of England,    10. Queens    11. Royalty    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / Royalty    14. Reading Group Guide   

Madame De Pompadour
by Nancy Mitford
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (January, 1968)
list price: $20.80
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Reviews (17)

"Biography at its most candid"
The 18th century story of King Louis XV's mistress, Madame De Pompadour. Biography at it's most candid: for example, Madame De Pompadour was so unpopular in her time that she couldn't travel in public without risking being pelted by mud and rocks.

I loved this book
I am a fan of history books, epecially biographies of Royal European women.I thought this book was very entertaining and interesting.I finished it in no time since I couldn't put it down.I like the way Mitford writes and will definately buy her other biographies (even though they are about men).

Fair Book
I probably shouldn't write a review, as I have yet to actually finish this book. But I'm a history buff and I enjoy historical novels. The author comes across as a bit condescending and supercilious in placing French terms thoughout the book. She rattles them off without interpretation, as if we should all speak enough of the language to know what she's talking about. It's really annoying at best. I took 3 years of French, and still didn't get most of her maxims. It's also a bit slow and overly descriptive to the point that it gets boring. Hence my slowness to finish. It certainly hasn't sucked me into the story, so that I'm pouring over the pages and can't put it down... ... Read more

Isbn: 0060129891
Sales Rank: 860669
Subjects:  1. 1721-1764    2. Pompadour, Jeanne Antoinette (    3. marquise de,   

Fast Food Nation
by Eric Schlosser
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (17 January, 2001)
list price: $25.00 -- our price: $15.75
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Editorial Review

On any given day, one out of four Americans opts for a quick and cheap meal at a fast-food restaurant, without giving either its speed or its thriftiness a second thought. Fast food is so ubiquitous that it now seems as American, and harmless, as apple pie. But the industry's drive for consolidation, homogenization, and speed has radically transformed America's diet, landscape, economy, and workforce, often in insidiously destructive ways. Eric Schlosser, an award-winning journalist, opens his ambitious and ultimately devastating exposé with an introduction to the iconoclasts and high school dropouts, such as Harlan Sanders and the McDonald brothers, who first applied the principles of a factory assembly line to a commercial kitchen. Quickly, however, he moves behind the counter with the overworked and underpaid teenage workers, onto the factory farms where the potatoes and beef are grown, and into the slaughterhouses run by giant meatpacking corporations. Schlosser wants you to know why those French fries taste so good (with a visit to the world's largest flavor company) and "what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns." Eater beware: forget your concerns about cholesterol, there is--literally--feces in your meat.

Schlosser's investigation reaches its frightening peak in the meatpacking plants as he reveals the almost complete lack of federal oversight of a seemingly lawless industry. His searing portrayal of the industry is disturbingly similar to Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, written in 1906: nightmare working conditions, union busting, and unsanitary practices that introduce E. coli and other pathogens into restaurants, public schools, and homes. Almost as disturbing is his description of how the industry "both feeds and feeds off the young," insinuating itself into all aspects of children's lives, even the pages of their school books, while leaving them prone to obesity and disease. Fortunately, Schlosser offers some eminently practical remedies. "Eating in the United States should no longer be a form of high-risk behavior," he writes. Where to begin? Ask yourself, is the true cost of having it "your way" really worth it? --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Reviews (1184)

Do you still want a burger?
Incredible, essential and finally out for all to see.Take a look at what goes into the "American meal" and see if you emerge changed.This book is a gift.

Nothing Beats a Fine Burger
Frankly, there is a dark side to anything and the subtitle of this book is a transparent and alarmist attempt to catch attention and sell books.I for one, resent the author's sometimes snide implication that the market isn't capable of providing healthy food or that people aren't capable of making more educated eating choices.However, for any lover of fine burgage, this is a captivating summary of the history and scope of the fast-food market that is both well-researched and an interesting read.

This book gets four stars based solely upon the author's recognition of the ultra-quality In-n-Out burger--the product of a chain born in Southern California that is fanatically dedicated to providing the freshest and highest-quality fast food according to a recipe and menu that has been unchanged for over 40 years.(Name any other restaurant that can guarantee that the meat was never frozen and where the french fries start their day in potato form and I'll be there buying lunch.)The author's recognition that the entire market is or should be chasing In-n-Out, i.e. focusing on the quality of the food, truly shows that this guy knows his stuff.

If consumers accept crappy merchandise, that is what the market will provide; rather, consumers should demand quality, especially when their food is concerned.Perhaps the message of this book lies more in the fact that so many of us fail to exercise our freedom to discriminate between good and bad even when all it takes is walking across the street to a better restaurant.

fast food nation
Am i the only one that sees the obvious here. This book does enlighten us on the harmfullness of fast food and the chemicals they put in it, and so on. But then why does the FDA approve it!! Why are they allowing the gross food to be sold. Because they are taking payoffs from the fast food companies. Read the book "natural cures they dont want you to know about" and you will know all about it. ... Read more

Isbn: 0395977894
Subjects:  1. American cooking    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Convenience foods    4. Corporate & Business History - General    5. Fast food restaurants    6. Food Industry Services    7. Food Science    8. Food industry and trade    9. Industries - General    10. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    11. Nutrition    12. Popular Culture - General    13. Sociology    14. Technology    15. United States    16. Social Science / Popular Culture   

The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World Is Still the Least Valued
by Ann Crittenden
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (01 February, 2001)
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Editorial Review

Many mothers have long suspected that they're getting the short end of the deal--and finally, a highly respected economics journalist proves they're not just griping. Despite all the lip service given to the importance of motherhood, American mothers are not only not paid for all the work they do, but also penalized for it. "The gift of care can be both selfless and exploited," writes Ann Crittenden in this intrepid and groundbreaking work. Motherhood is dangerously undervalued--it's now the single biggest risk factor for poverty in old age. Mothers lose out in forgone income if they stay at home, an inflexible job market makes part-time work scarce or inadequately paid, and in the case of divorce, they're refused family assets by divorce laws that don't count their unpaid work.

Crittenden is fond of pointing out the hypocrisies plaguing America, and one is the belief in a welfare state enabling single mothers. The true welfare state, she says, protects paid workers from unforeseen risks through social security, unemployment insurance, and workman's compensation. Mothers who work part-time or not at all have no such safety net and typically take a nosedive into poverty, along with their children, after divorce or the death of their spouse. Married working moms are also punished--they pay the highest taxes on earned income in America. Crittenden's impassioned argument is based on research in a variety of fields, from economics to child development to demography. She shows how mothers were demoted from an economic asset to dependents, why welfare for only a certain group of mothers bred bitterness among the rest, and why there is currently an exodus of highly trained women from the work force.

Crittenden also travels far and wide for solutions. She finds them not only in such European nations as Sweden--which has abolished child poverty by giving mothers a year's paid leave, cash subsidies, and flexible work schedules--but in the U.S. military, which runs the best subsidized child-care program in the country and knows the value of providing special benefits to those who selflessly serve their country. Ultimately, Crittenden insists, the equality women have been fighting for will only be achieved when mothers are recognized as productive citizens creating a much-needed public good--human capital, or in layman's terms, well-raised children who grow into productive, law abiding citizens (and who pay into social security). This is an admirable--and charged--defense of motherhood, reminding us that unpaid female labor is "the priceless, invisible heart of the economy," and those who engage in this labor deserve the same rights, and the same respect, as other workers. --Lesley Reed ... Read more

Reviews (49)

More Important are the Rewards of Motherhood
As a stay at home mother of 5 the title of this book intrigued me. I was interested in learning the history of how motherhood came to be valued so little by modern America. And I hoped for affirmation of my life's hardest and most important work: mothering. The beginning of the book seemed to offer both. I could relate to the instant loss of success and credibility when, despite economic and social pressures, I left my professional career to stay home with my first baby. One of my husband's married male cousins actually asked me a chapter question, "So....exactly what DO you do all day at home?"

As I read through the first half of the book I became angry at maternal social injustices and was inspired by the baby-passion that encourages mothers to raise their own children anyway. But in the second half of the book I felt profound disappointment. Ms. Crittenden seems to come to the conclusion that any form of motherhood is worthy of financial remuneration, it matters not if a mother's child is in round-the-clock day care. The myths of feminism's working woman are (inadvertently?) reinforced over the unrecognized contributions and sacrifices of career mothering.

There are however seeds of a greater truth scattered within the pages of this book: a mother breastfeeding her baby, a mother caring for an aging family member, a mother who manages the household, volunteers her time, and homeschools her children should be acknowledged and valued (page 66). We know the price of motherhood, the rewards are less understood, and a deeper question remains. How can we, as a society, best support, protect and value motherhood?

"Labor is prior to, and independent of capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves a much higher consideration." Abraham Lincoln

Worth the Read
This book offers a searing criticism of the ways that mothers pay a price in our society. I read this book for my own edification and loved her honesty. It's written in easy to read style.

I also used excerpts of this book in one of my women's studies classes and the students enjoyed it. Many of the re-entry students actually told me that they either checked it out at the library or purchased the book.

I perused the reviews and was amused at how some reviewers felt that this book was whiny. Why is it that when we disagree we have to say that she (usually a woman under attack!) is whining. Motherhood isn't all bread and roses and this book explains why.

Destroying our country in the name of motherhood?
I was disturbed by this book, to put it mildly.I am a stay-at-home mom myself, and I was curious about the tenets of a book that appeared to be defending mothers.Instead, in the name of motherhood, the author attacks our wonderful Constitutional government by blatantly extolling and calling for greater Socialism in our country.Has our freedom become so cheap in the last 200 years that we would lose it, not to an outside enemy, but from within by our own countrymen?I recommend that anyone thinking of reading this anti-American propaganda think again. ... Read more

Isbn: 0805066187
Subjects:  1. Economic aspects    2. Economic conditions    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Home Based Labor    5. Motherhood    6. Mothers    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Sociology Of Women    10. United States    11. Women's Studies - General