Finding My Voice [Paperback]

Diane Rehm (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In a curiously unemotional account of a life rich in contradictions, the host of the nationally syndicated Diane Rehm Show on National Public Radio may leave readers wanting more. The child of a beautiful, cruel mother who beat her and used silent withdrawal as a form of punishment, Rehm built a rewarding career on talk. Her parents, both Turkish immigrants, had a loving marriage in which her mother's needs and wishes were paramount; meanwhile, Rehm and her older sister found warmth and acceptance in her father's extended family. Despite being a star pupil and, later, a smart, inquisitive woman, Rehm was insecure about her lack of a college degree. Her second marriage was to an Ivy League Washington lawyer, who also retreated into silence. At age 37, her career in broadcasting was spurred by the urging of her women's group, though Rehm says simply, "I don't know why." After 20 years on the radio, she developed a rare neurological disorder, spasmodic dysphonia, which causes hoarseness and vocal tremors. Her search for a diagnosis and the awful treatment, Botox injections, which cause temporary paralysis of the vocal chords and loss of voice, was covered in the Washington Post. Rather than delving deeply into her feelings, Rehm substitutes details about her high school boyfriends, piano lessons and prescription medicines that are less interesting than her family's mysteries, her relationship with her sister and the lessons of her marriage, which has been largely satisfying. Despite her potential to inspire others, as a self-made "late bloomer," abuse survivor and spokesperson for her disease, Rehm leaves her readers to connect the dots. Agent, Ronald Goldfarb; 10-city author tour. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Rehm, host of her own nationally syndicated call-in talk show on National Public Radio, writes of the challenges and triumphs in her life. In the first and most fascinating section of this book, she recounts her childhood in a Syrian Orthodox household, where she endured terrifying physical and emotional abuse at her mother's hands, and her escape to the working world of Washington, DC. She then describes her beginnings in public radio as a volunteer, her rise to broadcaster, and her life as a wife and mother in a difficult marriage. In the book's final section, she writes about her battle with a neurological disorder, Spasmodic Dysphonia. Unfortunately, no transcripts are included from the radio program, in which she interviews luminaries from politics and the arts. The forced segments in which Rehm discusses her faith in God and her husband's conversion seem last-minute, as if to turn an interesting autobiography into an inspirational title. Recommended for public libraries.ALisa N. Johnston, Sweet Briar Coll. Lib., VA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Capital Books; 1 edition (March 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1892123908
• ISBN-13: 978-1892123909
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,285 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank goodness Diane Rehm "found her voice!", January 7, 2001

By 

L. Feld "lowkell" (Arlington, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Finding My Voice (Hardcover)

As a big fan of "The Diane Rehm Show," I guess I'm somewhat biased, but I truly think this is an excellent, honest, heartfelt book. In "Finding My Voice," Diane comes across as the same admirable person we all know from her radio talk show --honest, direct, curious (about ideas and above all about people), down-to-earth, warm, caring, determined (even stubborn) and - despite her lack of a college degree (who cares?!?) - highly intelligent. In my opinion, the really interesting parts of the book deal less with Spasmodic Dysphonia than with: 1) Diane growing up as a girl in a traditional Arab-American family in the 1940s and early 1950s with a depressed, anxious, abusive mother; 2) the obstacles (professional, personal) which Diane -- and many talented young women -- were forced to overcome to achieve something for themselves in the male-dominated society of the 1950s and 1960s; 3) Diane "finding her voice" in a growing radio career, and in a broader sense the overall growth of talk radio - for better ("The Diane Rehm Show" and others where people can have a civilized discussion and actually are encouraged to think for themselves) and for worse (Rush Limbaugh and "Dr. Laura" - blech - where people berate each other, preach to each other, or mindlessly "ditto" the host); and 4) Diane's constant struggles to overcome deepseated feelings of insecurity and of not being worthy, despite (or even fueled by) her growing outward success.

Besides that, there are also some memorable moments with some really bizarre/obnoxious guests - Tony Randall and Tom Clancy stand out in particular - and some really excellent ones - Race Hoss and Jimmy Carter, for instance. And unlike many celebrity autobiographies, in "Finding My Voice" this does not come across -- at least to me -- like mere gratuitous name dropping. Instead, they are an integral part of Diane's story, illustrating some of the best and worst which she has faced in her radio career.

Finally, "Finding my Voice" shows us that -- whatever she may feel about herself (and whether or not she'll ever truly believe it) -- Diane Rehm IS an amazing person who deserves every bit of success and happiness she has achieved in her life. I'm just thankful that Diane finally DID manage to "find her voice," and hope that she doesn't lose it for years and years to come! P.S. Thank goodness for public radio -- and for everyone who supports it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very moving story you can't put down., September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Finding My Voice (Hardcover)

I read this book in about two or three days, and had a hard time putting it down. Diane's writing takes on the familiar warm and friendly tone of voice her listeners have grown to love. In this book she writes openly of her very personal struggle of coping with the stresses of her life. I was very moved at times, sometimes laughing and cheering out loud, my jaw dropped in awe and surprise at others, and my heart sank at some of the crushing blows she's been dealt, both from within and without. A highly recommended book for both fans of the Diane Rehm Show and/or anyone interested in a fascinating human story.

27 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Diane's Voice Carries Better Than Her Pen, November 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Finding My Voice (Hardcover)

Believe me, I am a devoted fan of Diane Rehm's. She is the most articulate, knowledgable, talented talk show host in the country. Thus I was disappointed by her autobiography. Of course, because her outstanding talent is interviewing, I guess I can't expect her to be a brilliant writer as well.

I thought she harped on her sad childhood too much. Over and over again she blames her mother--and her father less so--for emotionally crippling her entire life. Many of us have had less than happy childhoods, and many of us have suffered some type of abuse, but most of us get over it--or at least don't go around continually blaming our flaws on our parents and/or childhood. I certainly didn't expect Diane Rehm to do so. She seems much too mature and wise for that.

The other disappointment I have is the writing itself, which is not as smooth and polished as it should be. (Where was the editor?) There's also some repetition of passages from one chapter to another, as if the author had forgotten she had said this same thing earlier in the book.