From one of America's most respected critics comes an acclaimed biography of the controversial feminist. Here, Heilbrun illuminates the life and explores the many facets of Steinem's complex life, from her difficult childhood to the awakening that changed her into the most famous feminist in the world. Intimate and insightful, here is a biography that is as provocative as the woman who inspired it. Photos.
Education of a Woman: The Life of Gloria Steinem
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Biography of the pivotal and occasionally controversial feminist and co-founder of Ms. magazine.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Heilbrun, the accomplished literary scholar (Writing a Woman's Life, LJ 10/15/88) and mystery author under the nom de plume Amanda Cross, offers her interpretation of a complex and admirable subject, feminist avatar Gloria Steinem. Unhappily, the result is disappointing, in part because it seems premature with Steinem only 60 and still active in the women's movement. But the book suffers from more serious imperfections as well. Though Heilbrun discusses at length Steinem's relationship with her mother, she neglects connections with Steinem's father and her sister. A large share of the book treats Steinem's numerous celebrity liaisons; while legitimate in a posthumous examination, such discussion is inescapably tawdry when the subject is still living. Finally and most puzzling, the writing lacks polish. Long quotations are awkwardly integrated, and some sentences require rereading. The definitive work is still to be written, but this one will nevertheless attract a large audience.
-?Cynthia Harrison, Federal Judicial Ctr., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
-?Cynthia Harrison, Federal Judicial Ctr., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I have admired Gloria Steinem since I came to this country in the 70's to go to college. She has had to make some tough choices in her life and I respect her greatly for the path she took. I particularly liked to read about her early years, her childhood and family, prior to the more public New York life of the sophisticated writer and feminist persona she became. After reading this book, I feel that I understand much better where her strong motivation came from. The author deserves much praise for this biography.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very Informative but would appreciate a more feminist perspective.
October 27, 2011
By A.
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love reading everything I can find on Gloria Steinem but found myself wishing she had written this herself.
The information is detailed and interesting for sure. I appreciated all the research the author did about the subjects life including not only her career but her struggles with her unstable mother and mostly absent father as well as Steinem's feelings about this over her lifetime.
But I got very tired of the almost obsessive way the author discussed Steinem's great appeal to men over and over and over again.
I understand that another woman less attractive to the masses may have never gotten as far as Steinem and I honestly believe that is true, however, the author's constantly repeating the fact that she was attractive to men says much more about the author's perspective than it does about her amazing, brilliant and courageous subject.
The information is detailed and interesting for sure. I appreciated all the research the author did about the subjects life including not only her career but her struggles with her unstable mother and mostly absent father as well as Steinem's feelings about this over her lifetime.
But I got very tired of the almost obsessive way the author discussed Steinem's great appeal to men over and over and over again.
I understand that another woman less attractive to the masses may have never gotten as far as Steinem and I honestly believe that is true, however, the author's constantly repeating the fact that she was attractive to men says much more about the author's perspective than it does about her amazing, brilliant and courageous subject.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Emily
Format:Paperback
I read this book nonstop while on a lengthy car trip. I found it to be incredibly interesting, informative, well-researched, and enjoyable to read. If you've ever wondered how Gloria Steinem got to be the icon that she is, this book explains it all. Whether you are researching Steinem or just looking for an interesting non-fiction, this book is for you!!
5 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By JoAnne
Format:Paperback
A sympathetic biography of one of the most famous leaders in the women's movement. According to Heilbrun, Steinem's beauty and ability to remain constantly in the public eye have been a constant source of irritation to other feminists. She presents Steinmen as a slightly naive, well-intentioned and empathetic individual who never intended to lead the feminist movement and indeed would have preferred remaining in the shadows as a reporter and writer.
7 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Growing up in the early 80's, I had a vauge idea who Gloria Steinem was and what she did. I was delighted to pick up this book and read the first (and probaly most accurate)book on such a revolutionary leader.
Denounced by the extreme right and extreme left, Steinem's life has taken her from Ohio to Massachusetts to India, Washington DC and NY. Having cofounded Ms. the National Women's Political Caucus, the Women's Action Alliance and Voters for Choice, Steinem is truly an example of a good role model.
Heilbrum's superb prose takes us into the infamous resentment born by Betty Friedan and Kathie Sarahchild. Although both of these women are famous in their own right, their inexcusable and childish tantrums undid their own feminist reputation without any help from Steinem. Also deserving of their repuation is Betty Harris who's paranoid delusions and lax work ethic jepordaized the working environment at the early MS. Steinem is a saint for having dealt with these crazies and still keeping cool.
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 90
books:
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27
books
cite this book:
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- The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan on 7 pages
- Moving Beyond Words: Age, Rage, Sex, Power, Money, Muscles: Breaking the Boundries of Gender by Gloria Steinem on 7 pages
- The Beach Book by Gloria Steinem on 5 pages
- It Changed My Life: Writings on the Women's Movement by Betty Friedan on 5 pages
- Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions: Second Edition (Owlet Book) by Gloria Steinem on 4 pages
See all 90 books this book cites
- Gloria Steinem: A Biography (Greenwood Biographies) by Patricia Cronin Marcello on 11 pages
- Carolyn G. Heilbrun : Feminist in a Tenured Postion (Feminist Issues (Univ Pr of Virginia)) by Susan Kress on 5 pages
- Yours in Sisterhood: Ms. Magazine and the Promise of Popular Feminism (Gender and American Culture) by Amy Erdman Farrell on 4 pages
- Gloria Steinem: Feminist Extraordinaire (Newsmakers Biographies) by Caroline Evensen Lazo on 4 pages
- Germaine Greer: Untamed Shrew by Christine Wallace in Back Matter (1), Back Matter (2), and Back Matter (3)
See all 27 books citing this book
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