Just after her eleventh birthday, Susan Richards Shreve was sent to the sanitarium at Warm Springs, Georgia. The polio haven, famously founded by F...
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Oct 15, 2007
Glenn
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In “Warm Springs: Traces of a Childhood at FDR's Polio Haven,” Susan Richards Shreve writes achingly about the loss of control that comes with bearing illness, and also of powerful acts of will and defiance in the face of that terrifying fact.
She gives the reader utterly telling, quick-stroke particulars of family, like the brief, lovely two paragraphs that describe her parents' meeting. And beyond family, she plucks names from history, less-known people, who deserve more renown for More...
She gives the reader utterly telling, quick-stroke particulars of family, like the brief, lovely two paragraphs that describe her parents' meeting. And beyond family, she plucks names from history, less-known people, who deserve more renown for More...
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May 06, 2009
Maya
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This is an absolutely wonderful memoir. It's hard to imagine leaving my children on their own for two years at a combination medical facility/camp, as Shreve was left by her parents, but polio forced some hard choices.
She writes with a very moving and honest style. Surprisingly there is a lot happening in these two years to the point where I was anxious to find out what happened. I'm sure part of writing the book was to explore actions for which she must feel guilty. Reading abou More...
She writes with a very moving and honest style. Surprisingly there is a lot happening in these two years to the point where I was anxious to find out what happened. I'm sure part of writing the book was to explore actions for which she must feel guilty. Reading abou More...
Aug 13, 2009
Ariel
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Interesting memoir! I knew very little about the polio epidemic before reading this. Reading about the procedures they performed on some of these kids is a bit like reading about medicine in the middle ages- I don't think they had a clue what they were doing. Also made me really glad I didn't grow up in the early 50's- don't think I would have liked it at all.
The author's relationship with her mother was also very strange to me- her mother behaved atrociously, but she seems to be More...
The author's relationship with her mother was also very strange to me- her mother behaved atrociously, but she seems to be More...
Sep 19, 2007
Chris
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True story of a pre-teen girl striken with polio, who was sent in 1950 to live in Warm Springs, Georgia. I found this to be interesting - the whole era of the fear of polio and the lives affected by it.
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Feb 23, 2011
Agnes
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A friend suggested I read this memoir written by a woman from Washington, DC who suffered from polio as a child and was sent to the rehabilitation center in Warm Springs funded by FDR. It's a well written story about the suffering endured by young polio victims and their families and introduces the reader to a feisty, good-hearted young girl who beat the disease and found a way to cope with two years of various surgeries and torturous therapy, living away from her family and friends.
Jan 26, 2010
Nicole
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I really didn't like this book. I thought the description sounded really interesting about one the first medical homes that had been created by Roosevelt and the children that spent some of their childhood their being treated for polio. However, this was a memoir of sorts, and told in such a disjointed fashion and overall sorrowful tone that I had no enjoyment at all from this book.
Oct 10, 2009
Cathy
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I liked this book - my mom had polio and it was a great insight to that period of history. I felt a little let down but not sure why exactly. Maybe because there wasn't a "how I am doing now" or any real epilogue at all.
Dec 17, 2009
Laura
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I read this book with the idea of getting some background on Warm Springs before taking a road trip to the site (about an hour south of Atlanta.) Not knowing much about polio, I had not properly prepared myself for how depressing this book could be; while the author does not indulge in self-pity, one can't help but be moved by the stories of broken bones, muscle transplants, and the like. This book also gives some insight into FDR and his desire not to be seen as an invalid or someone defined
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Jan 31, 2008
Shirlyn
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Was interested in the idea that polio was such an epidemic that doesn't even effect our lives today, but it was such a wide spread problem just 50 years ago. It hurt people in all social levels and was treated as such a poor persons disease. This is like a journal of a girl reflecting back on her days at this retreat place where some lucky individuals when to have surgery to help with the muscle loss from polio. Not totally captivating, but kept my interest enough to finish, okay read.
May 06, 2008
Anne
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A child leaves her family to receive polio treatment at Warm Springs. The book contains the author's reflections on her experiences while she was treated for polio, which she compares with the experiences she included in the novel she wrote during her time at Warm Springs.
Shows how young teenagers go through similar emotions at growing up whether they're well or sick. Well written.
Shows how young teenagers go through similar emotions at growing up whether they're well or sick. Well written.
Jun 17, 2008
Elizabeth
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I really enjoyed reading this book because not only was it nice to read a children's point of view while she was sick with polio, but I learned about history, religion, and even medicine. This was a great book of strength and courage of a young girl, who was diagnosed with polio. It may be depressing at times, but in the end it was full of inspiration and insight.
Oct 22, 2008
Cathy
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Another one of those "been there seen that" kinda books for me. Living close to Warm Springs, GA and visiting there on several occasions; I could imagine everything in this book so vividly. A wonderful story about life and the struggle with polio.
Jul 13, 2008
Madison
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This book was a strong read 2/3 of the way through... then the author flips back and forth between present and memories, completely losing her story rhythm and momentum. Stopped reading, started skimming at that point. Not a satisfying read, overall.
May 25, 2008
Suzanne
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Couldn't really ever get into this one. Interesting to learn more about her life but that's about it. It's a short book but took me forever to finish because I just wasn't compelled to pick it up.
Nov 12, 2007
Renee
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A well written account of a young girls years spent in a Polio rehab center in the early 1950's. An excellent review of history, culture, and the myths behind the polio epidemic.
Apr 10, 2009
Colette
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I really enjoyed this bio about growing up with polio in the 50's / 60's, some of which was at FDR's Warm Springs. Great bits of history and a peek into this spunky kid's life.
Jan 31, 2008
Pat
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This glimpse into a historic time told by a polio survivor sheds insight into a time when this terrible disease was afflicting children and adults; including FDR.
Nov 10, 2007
Heather
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I've never known much about polio - and have actually been to Columbus, GA which is quite near Warm Springs. Having read this book I'd like to visit Warm Springs.
Mar 02, 2010
Susan
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I really liked this memoir. Brought back the feeling of the 50s when polio was a real danger.
Feb 10, 2012
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