True North is the inspirational Canadian Chapter of Jill Ker Conway's life story, which began with her much love, bestselling memoir, The...
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reviews
Aug 02, 2011
A couple thoughts I found intriguing: "The departmental organization of university faculties means that every department faculty, dominated by the research ideal, strives to teach ever-more specialized courses in its chosen discipline, seeking to convert its students to aspire to graduate study in the field in question. This objective is in direct conflict with the undergraduate's need to sop up general knowledge like blotting paper, to try out new ideas, to test the limits of the individua
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Jan 03, 2011
Rick
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I gave this book 4 stars because I really like memoirs and loved The Road from Coorain, Conway's earlier memoir of her childhood. A more objective reviewer could very justifiably give this memoir, which covers the time from graduate school through her acceptance of the Presidency of Smith College at age 40, 3 stars. As many of the Goodreads reviews have noted, this book bogs down at times, going into excessive detail on small points and occasionally slipping into a detached academic tone.
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Aug 17, 2009
Consuela
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This is the sequel to Road to Coorain and continues with the life story of Jill Ker Conway after she leaves her native Australia to head to Harvard for graduate studies in History. She is a scholar and it's really a joy to read about her love of learning and research. This book takes her through falling in love with another scholar 18 years older than she is, their marriage, move to his native Canada, to becoming the first woman president of Smith College. What I'm impressed with is her continua
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Aug 19, 2011
Joyce
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Borrowed from public library. Adult memoir.
I must have read the Road from Coorain. This follows that. She's such a good writer.
Australian born, educated at Harvard, married a Harvard prof, taught at U. of Toronto (1964-1975), Presiden of Smith College (1975-1985) in Northhampton, Mass.
Writes about discrimination against women in Australia, feminism, education, homeland, family, history -- all objectively -- and life. Quite a learning experience!
I must have read the Road from Coorain. This follows that. She's such a good writer.
Australian born, educated at Harvard, married a Harvard prof, taught at U. of Toronto (1964-1975), Presiden of Smith College (1975-1985) in Northhampton, Mass.
Writes about discrimination against women in Australia, feminism, education, homeland, family, history -- all objectively -- and life. Quite a learning experience!
Jul 03, 2011
Sandy
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This book is the extension of The Road From Coorain. The author interested me which is why I continued reading her memoirs into the second book; she did not disappoint. Her gift of description made me feel a part of an event, not a reader about the event. Her mental prowess also made me feel as through I had caught the tail of a comet whizzing across the skies!
Jun 21, 2010
Taylor Kate
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Jill Ker Conway is a fascinating and driven person, but this memoir is like listening to an insufferable friend tell you every detail of a story that's not particularly interesting, then suddenly have a fascinating tale, then back to the pedantry again.
At least I'm interested in her first memoir.
At least I'm interested in her first memoir.
Aug 06, 2009
Susan
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A nice memoir of the development, or pursuit of a woman's intellectual life. Jill Ker Conway became the first female president of Smith College, in 1974. Now it seems unbelievable that it took so long. I liked this book, and would recommend it to my academic, or near academic friends.
Feb 06, 2012
Pat
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This second memoir picks up where The Road from Coorain stops. Jill comes to the U.S., graduates from Harvard, marries and goes to the University of Toronto. The book ends 11 years later, right before she takes over as president of Smith College.
Nov 21, 2010
Susanne
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Thoughtful treatment of the first 15 years of her working life; she writes of Toronto in 1965-1973, of politicis at the University of Toronto; & has interesting and useful perspective on Toronto--culture, society. It's almost anthropology.
Oct 13, 2009
Sarah
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Jill continues her story as she moves to MA, then Canada, marries, grows, struggles, and eventually becomes the president of Smith College. Not quite as captivating as "The Road from Corrain" but still a great book.
Jul 26, 2011
Barbara
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The sequel to "The Road from Coorain" continues the life of Jill Ker Conway as she pursues her doctorate at Harvard, moves into research and writing, marries, and teaches history. Candid and well-written.
May 22, 2011
Alexis
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The joy of intellectual excitement... making getting a PhD in History from Harvard in the early 60's sound like the best thing in the world.
Jun 05, 2011
Leslie
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sequel to the wonderful Road from Coorain. Interesting. A strong woman with seemingly boundless energy.
Feb 21, 2009
Maija
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Read it for my book club at work - I liked this, but I think it may have helped to have read her previous book first. I also was bummed it didn't cover her years at Smith (the book ends as she is to become president of Smith College - the first woman president, I believe, of all-women college). plus, I love Western Massachusetts and would have liked to read about it. Her style is somewhat removed - she is clearly an academic, not very emotional. I enjoyed most the parts about her experiences
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Aug 15, 2011
Anne
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A follow up to "THe Road from Coorain."
INteresting insights into Toronto........
INteresting insights into Toronto........
Aug 01, 2009
Debbie
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If you read The Road from Coorain you will be compelled to read this follow-up memoir.
Nov 07, 2010
Book group. What a strange life and thus a strange woman. Very interesting!
Sep 16, 2011
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5946...
It suffers from some of the same problems as her first memoir and sometimes it was very frustrating to read. It seems like life was one long series of intellegent discussions with brilliant colleagues while travelling to great cultural centers. It was good when she actually delved a bit into more mundane or even upsetting events. I don't feel as if I got to know her and yet I think she is probably a very interesting and fascinating woman. It' More...
It suffers from some of the same problems as her first memoir and sometimes it was very frustrating to read. It seems like life was one long series of intellegent discussions with brilliant colleagues while travelling to great cultural centers. It was good when she actually delved a bit into more mundane or even upsetting events. I don't feel as if I got to know her and yet I think she is probably a very interesting and fascinating woman. It' More...
Jul 18, 2007
Kristen
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Jill Kerr Conway was an academic from Australia (I think, I haven't read the early-life memoir) and she went to Radcliffe, met her husband, and eventually became the first female president of Smith College. She is a great writer, very intelligent, and led a fascinating life. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading her other memoirs (Road to Coorain and a Women's Education).
Sep 05, 2010
Kate
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A continuation of "The Road from Coorain" -- the author transitions fully into adulthood and describes her path, making a career and a life for herself. Interesting for me to read about her experiences adopting Toronto as her home, as I find myself doing the same thing (many decades later).
Jan 25, 2008
Lucy
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Jill Ker Conway used to be the president of Smith College. She's from Australia & this memoir tells of how she adapted to living in the US when she came to Boston to study at Harvard in her twenties. She's just so descriptive and sophisticated. And clearly a very strong person!
Feb 01, 2008
Sarah
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Jill Ker Conway continues her autobiography through graduate school, teaching profession, finding love, and becoming the first woman president of Smith College. The back cover describes it best: "the testament of an extraordinary woman living in an extraordinary time".
Jul 23, 2008
Kirsten
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"endurance is the great virtue when nature goes awry" - whether pertaining to weather cycles or depression. "if one only knows how to wait, nature, of which we are so strangely both an integral part and a distant consciousness, will renew itself."
Jan 26, 2009
Makes me appreciate the road she and her contemporaries paved for women of my generation in terms of professional options we have within our grasp and to acknowledge how recent these changes are so that I remember that there's more work to do.
Nov 09, 2008
Audrey
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Interesting insight into the world of academia written by a bright, courageous woman transplanted from Australia to North America who ultimately becomes a college president and a staunch supporter of women's causes.
Aug 18, 2011
Nancy
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The second part of a memoir that began in Australia. Well written by a remarkable woman who becomes the president of Smith College. Her first part- The Road to Cohran is fabulous!
Nov 29, 2010
Sally
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Kind of boring, but I ended up learning about things I didn't expect to and enjoyed the level of detail in her descriptions of places.
Mar 05, 2010
Rachel
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Want to finish 3 book series in her autobiography. Loved the first book.
