Customer Reviews

A Darker Ribbon: A Twentieth-Century Story of Breast Cancer, Women, and Their Doctors

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ellen Leopold's book clearly and intelligently examines the problems women historically faced given the constraints of inadequate doctor-patient relationships and treatments. Ms. Leopold is also obviously, a wonderful writer and I look forward to hearing more from her evidently enormous body of knowledge.

I am a third generation breast cancer survivor. I am also a surgeon's daughter. Ellen Leopold nailed what women have been subjected to in the 150 past years in relation to breast cancer. However, as amply pointed out by her, we have only taken a small step forward. While I loved this book, I found myself angered once again by the male dominated medical society and by, even today, women's capitultion to paternalism. This is a must read for every woman, young or old and regardless of health status.

The best and most original parts of this book are the parts about the Halsted-Mueller letters and the letters of Rachel Carson. Other sections, particularly near the end of the book, are vague and repeat ideas written by many other writers on the subject, including Sontag, Yalom, etc. The author's take on breast cancer today is very weak, and does not explore, or even mention, our culture's ever-increasing interest in the cancer/genetics relationship. All in all, the book is not worthless, but it's still disappointing.