Customer Reviews

Facing 30: Women Talk About Constructing a Real Life and Other Scary Rites of Passage

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't usually read about my problems but I took a look at the Facing 30 cover and figured these authors might really get it. I wasn't disappointed. They write well (never too sappy, like so many self-help books, or too snarly, like a lot of the gen "x" writing out there) and the women they talked with are different enough to have thought about this scary time in my life from lots of cool angles. When I was done I felt calmed and amused. I've been buying this book for friends.

I enjoyed reading Dockett and Beck's interviews with women--and the sage advice they had to offer. Most of this book is just common sense, but sometimes it's nice to see what someone else has to say! This book has more substance than some others on the market, and the authors have included some (not much) information from sociologists. If you're (like me) almost 30 and trying to figure out who you are, where you're going, and what you might want to be when you maybe decide to grow up, this book can give you some inspiration and interesting insights.

Dockett and Beck have wtitten the only serious view of the subject of the big 3-0 that I have come across. It is extraordinarily insightful and a delight to read.

You are on verge of 30 - you are looking for some guidance on how to deal with the crisis you feel you are going through. Read this book!! Wow - what a breathtaking book it is. It touches on every major issue going through your mind during this time. I found it the most helpful starting at the "Brooding over Breeding" chapter and from then on to the end of the book. I know in my heart of hearts that I will survive this - this book reinforced it and validated all of my feelings. Great for your mind, body, and soul.

Now I know what might be happening to me --- my mind and my body. Before reading Facing 30, I thought I was just one of those people who over analyzes everything rather than listening to gut instincts. This book made me think twice about quitting my job, buying an apartment and leaving my boyfriend all in the same month. Not that it excuses negative behavior or patterns, it simply gave me perspective on why I might be feeling and doing things the way I do.

Which is not to say that it was boring, or wasn't informative, or didn't provide valuable perspective. Just that it wasn't as fun and lighthearted as I expected, and wanted, and needed.

I hope there's a college professor out there who lectures on this topic who makes this required reading in her/his class.

For the rest of us, I think other books available (for example, 29 and Counting... by Julie Tilsner) that provide the friendly kick in the pants we need to really get off our duffs and ENJOY this new decade of our lives. Read this book second.

I was a little concerned when I read that this book is about 10 years old at this point, but it's still totally on the mark! As a well-educated woman who is emerging from what some are calling a "quarter life crisis" to turn 30 in 2 months time, I have found this book to be incredibly helpful.

I think I expected something light and not-all-that-insightful; perhaps more anecdotal than anything else, but Beck and Dockett do such a masterful job of weaving clinical evidence with personal interviews that I was really blown away. The psychological studies coupled with quotes from women interviewed left me feeling validated and knowledgeable on so many levels. For people who struggle with "paralysis by analysis" (and even those who don't) this book offers a healthy dose of perspective in a smart, gentle way.

The book is well researched, thoughtful, intelligent, and very interesting. For their book, Beck and Dockett interviewed a myriad of 28-33 year-old-women from all walks of life and combine their findings with those of various psychological studies profiling how our generation is different from that of our parents' and how what we are experiencing at this age is consistent with Erikson's theory of development. All wrapped around a very easy-to-read narrative. It's very smart, extremely interesting, and extraordinarily comforting. Definitely something I will be recommending to all my friends within this age bracket.

I loved reading this book. It doesn't make fun of turning 30. It makes turning 30 sound fun! Beck and Dockett really did their research and speak knowledgeably about their generation. And the women they interviewed share their stories openly and humorously. All in the name of helping the confused soon-to-be-thirtysomethings. I haven't seen any other book like it.

If you are female, you will see yourself in the pages of Facing30. These smart and witty young authors took to task the problem ofbeing almost thirty and not having a clue what to do with yourself. In this absorbing book, you will find out why the thirties might be a more kick-a** time than ever.

My suggestion to other readers is do not waste your time or money on this book. I saw the two authors on several talk shows when this book was first published. They seemed likable and very much like people whom I could relate. So when the big 3-0 began to approach I ordered it from Amazon. I couldn't wait to tear into it. Unfortunately, I was very, very dissapointed. The best part of this book is the cover, and that's no lie. I ordered this book thinking I would get good information. Instead all I learned was that you can string together pages and pages of quotes from other people who were published years - even decades before you, and if you are lucky enough to get it published you can make alot of money and appear on several talk shows. With the constant quoting and paraphrasing this book reads like a college term paper. A bad college term paper