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We Are Our Mothers' Daughters
In this bestselling collection of essays, renowned news correspondent Cokie Roberts examines the nature of women's roles, from mother to mechanic, sister to soldier, through the illuminating lens of her personal experience. Each essay introduces us to several of the fascinating women Roberts has encountered during the course of her reporting career; Roberts also relates mo...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
April 5th 2000
by Harper Perennial
(first published 1998)
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I loved the parts about women in politics (especially parts about our founding Mothers) and the sections about the bond that we as women share. HOWEVER, as "non-partisan" as she tried to be, Cokie Roberts (obvious liberal) tells the Great Lie. The Great Lie is that women can do everything, all at once and be fabulous at everything they do. Being an anchor woman, a perfect mother, a politician, a housekeeper etc. while looking perfect and being on the PTA of course. IT ISN'T TRUE GIRLS!!! Books l...more
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Roberts writes about the advances of women in the political and cultural milieu of our time and how these advances came as our generation (and each generation) stood on the shoulders of our mothers who struggled and sacrificed to earn respect. She writes from a very personal perspective - about her mother, her sister, her friends in the world of journalism, and about her own experiences and those of her daughter and nieces.
Roberts' journalistic attempt to be, dare I say, "fair and balanced" lea...more
Roberts' journalistic attempt to be, dare I say, "fair and balanced" lea...more
What I loved about this collections of essays about the role of women is the acknowledgement of the struggles of previous generations and how women dealt with those difficulties. There are a multitude of female role models in this book, ones that I was familiar with and ones I wasn't. Reading their accomplishments made me feel that I should do more to learn about the legacies of my foremothers. Also, this helped me to recognize that the fight for equal recognition is far from over. Men who keep...more
This was my book club's choice for this month after two of the group's members had seen Roberts speak. There was much to enjoy about it. The book details, in separate chapters, the roles women have historically played in fields from medicine and politics to the military and as aunts. Roberts has definitely done her research. The biggest drawback to the book, for me, is that it is uneven. Some chapters are engaging and full of both information and Roberts' personality, some seem to be a dry recit...more
A fun read, but not really engrossing or moving, except for a few parts where she talks about her sister who died of cancer.
I did like the arrangement, though - she alternates chapters like "Sister" with "Mechanic, First Class" and "Wife" with "Enterpriser", going back and forth between her life story (and her extended family's), and people she got to know (sometimes subjects of her stories) in the course of her career. Interesting people, fascinating history, presented in an easy to swallow man...more
I did like the arrangement, though - she alternates chapters like "Sister" with "Mechanic, First Class" and "Wife" with "Enterpriser", going back and forth between her life story (and her extended family's), and people she got to know (sometimes subjects of her stories) in the course of her career. Interesting people, fascinating history, presented in an easy to swallow man...more
I want to get this book in print so I can remember some of the "first woman to" references in many of these essays. The essays by journalist Cokie Roberts cover many topics of interest to women, especially the history of women's accomplishments but also stories of how family and friends support each other, how central those roles of mothers and daughters are no matter what else we are passionate about. Having seen women politicians I'm not sure that women will always be anti-war, family friendly...more
I loved it. There were so many interesting insights to our mother's generation and intellectual development.
A new edition--filled with stories of marvelous women who have accomplished so much. I learned some history of the advancement of women's rights that I hadn't realized before. These kinds of books often provoke two reactions in me---1. Why didn't I accomplish anything noteworthy? and 2. I feel a bit condescended to because I am a stay at home Mom--career women I have known tend to make me feel like that. I wish women had the right in this modern society to make that choice.
Still she's a fun writ...more
Still she's a fun writ...more
Intresting after reading the reviews, i think depending on age and how you grew up determines how you feel about this book. My first interview for a teaching job I was asked if I planned on getting pregnant soon. My husband and I could not teach in the same town even tho he was high school and I was elementary. I loved her insights into life. Was amazed on dates we were allowed to enter certain places. I had to think did I have women profs in college...
The power of women throughout history is portrayed through essays about individual women who made a difference like Esther Peterson, consumer advocate, and Eva Oliver, first-class mechanic, as well as the women, past and present, in Cokie's family who affirmed "the bond of female solidarity" (from Jacket). This book is another must-read for young women embarking on their journeys into careers, marriages, motherhood, and this 21st century society.
This is a MUST READ for women of ALL AGES. Roberts has gathered valuable information about the journey we have or are taking as women. In many ways it is a history of women, filling in some gaps for me and bringing up sweet and some bittersweet memories. But the stories are told with such warmth and depth that,...well it is just a pleasure to read.
I will add it to a list I'm compiling of must reads for my grandchildren.
I will add it to a list I'm compiling of must reads for my grandchildren.
This book was a little slow at the offset but turned out to be a good read. I loved all of the history and Roberts' descriptions of the impact women have had, and continue to have, in shaping history. I also enjoyed her analysis of the strength of women's relationships with each other. There is a more recent edition with updated chapters that I would like to read.
Cokie Roberts' lifetime interest has been the advancement of girls and women. This short biography spotlights womens' struggles for equity in jobs and in pay, academe, sports, politics and more. Along with the broader story- a history of American women - is her personal story, a journey that women of our generation might well find resonates with their own lives.
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If Cokie were my mother, I would fall dead from boredom. Cokie,honey, quit with the self-aggrandizement already. Okay, your mom and dad were really insiders in Washington DC and apparently at the Vatican too (your mom's history). But stop making appearances where you interrupt everyone else thinking that you have the "best" thing always to say.
I really like and admire Cokie Roberts- and am amazed by Lindy Boggs. I read this book in little snippets- kind of like hearing little stories on NPR...
(Found a prescription for a previous reader's albuterol tucked inside of the book after I brought it home from the UBS. Hope she didn't end up breathless.)
(Found a prescription for a previous reader's albuterol tucked inside of the book after I brought it home from the UBS. Hope she didn't end up breathless.)
This book is a series of essays on women that Cokie wrote. I wondered if I would like it and was very pleased that I did. It talks about many of the different relationships that women have in their lives. She clearly loves her family and causes you to reflect on your own family and friend relationships.
My sisters and my women friends mean so much to me. Don't know how I'd get through life without them. It made me happy to read Roberts' expressions of feelings similar to my own. I especially enjoyed learning about her admiration for her sister, who tragically died of cancer.
I just finished listening to this audiobook. Cokie Roberts has had an extraordinary life and has met women with some amazing stories. Cokie is a excellent story teller and reads her own book which adds to the enjoyment. I find the stories of these women inspirational.
Surprisingly, Cokie Roberts makes a case for women who are mothers first and something else as well. Really remarkable stories about women who worked really hard-not to have it all-but to make a difference. There is a new expanded version I couldn't find at the library.
I read this when it was first published (don't tell me it was 10 years ago!!), and plan to buy and read the re-release. I'm excited that she has expanded her book. Cokie is coming to Tampa next week, and I'm planning on going to see her. I've read and enjoyed all her books
A lovely set of essays examining the many roles women fill in our lives and our country - her life is extremely fascinating and she shares candidly about her experience in many of these roles or experiences women throughout our history have had
This book is such a tribute to her mother and to parenthood. We laugh about our family 'ways' but I found that we need to cherish the quirks and traits of our families. Cokie writes in such a way that it reads like she is talking to me.
A remark Marilyn made reminded me that I read this book many years ago. I found it to be a must read book for women. It talks about the relationships women need with other women. It was positive and energizing.
Jan 17, 2009
Callie
marked it as abandoned
I really like Cokie Roberts and the stories are interesting, but her hook is "sisterhood" and maybe it is because I don't have a sister, but I don't feel special bonds with women over men.
I'm a huge fan of Cokie Roberts and her style of reporting and I learned more about what makes her tick from this book; however, I had hoped for something more to support the title.
Even 12 years after it was written, it's still a good book, especially in light of the strides being made by those in the gay community. So unfortunate that we still have to deal with such discrimination.
This was an interesting look at the recent history of women in our society. I had forgotten, if I knew, that there was a law that required women's salaries to be lower than men!
Enjoyable book. Inspiring stories about the progress women have made in so many different industries while noting there is still a long way to go towards equality.
I loved it. So well written and I learned so much about our history that isn't taught in history class - and it all had to do with women! Such a good book!
I didn't want to like this book. I met Cokie Roberts while I was in college and thought she was kind of an ass. But I liked the book. She's pretty much at the same point on the working mom guilt spectrum as I am.
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Cokie Roberts is an American journalist and author. She is the "Contributing Senior News Analyst" for National Public Radio as well as regular roundtable analyst for the current This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
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