Customer Reviews

Holding Her Head High: 12 Single Mothers Who Championed Their Children and Changed History

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

When I first started reading this book, I thought I would be more interested in the author's historical account of each single mother's story. However, as I closed the book, I took away so much more than history. This book is a wonderful inspiration for all mothers--single or married. I think our society focuses on married mothers and pushes the single mom under the table. Finally, someone had the strength to speak out for single moms and inspire all moms with these historical accounts of fascinating single moms throughout history.

It would be a lovely gift for friends and moms for mother's day, too.

Janine Turner does a nice job writing about a topic that either affects you directly, or someone in your family and circle of friends. As a single father, I related to the stories in here, and appreciated the way Ms. Turner seamlessly wove in stories about her own life to parallel or contradict what she was writing about. Collating so many different perspectives is a challenge as an author -- I have 40 published works, and am a single parent in Texas via Wyoming -- so I appreciate how the book was written. This format makes it difficult to develop a narrative, but the author did just that by reaching far back into history to widen the perspective of the book while the common thread remained the narrowed focus of single parenting. I just thought it was a nice, smooth read, and it's so awesome for those of us who adored Mary Margaret O'Connell to see this single mom developing as a person, spreading her literary wings, and continuing to expand her horizons. She should be applaued for continuing her intellectual exploration of the world, and her place in it. What a great role model for her daughter.

What a wonderful collection of inspirational stories that will encourage and motivate anyone, not just single mothers. These are amazing stories of perseverance, submission, godliness, selflessness, and hope. The rich and fascinating historical descriptions set the stage for each of these stories of women who faced obstacles and challenges that most of us wouldn't dream of. I was especially drawn to the noteworthy women who trusted in God with a conviction and determination to honor Him with their lives and to trust Him with their children. I'm reminded of Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength". I applaud their determination to fight for what they believed in and to champion their children, the dream of every mother. My favorite....Abigail Adams!

I found Janine Turner's book to be quite interesting. I had never given much thought to mothers raising children alone throughout history. It was inspiring to read about single mothers through the centuries raising bright and talented children alone under very stressful and trying conditions. All mothers, single or otherwise, should find value in this book.

I have not read the book yet - my wife won't turn it loose!
But when she finishes it, I look forward to reading it!
It must be good as she keeps telling others about it!
We both have admired Janine as an actress , and enjoyed her adventures in
the TV series "Northern Exposure", which is why she wanted that book.

"Holding Her Head High" by Janine Turner is a fascinating study of single women through history and how they overcame their respective trials and tribultions and turned them into triumphs. Through the eyes of Turner, 12 women most of us have never heard of come to life. Even though I am not a mother, I found this book inspirational and surprisingly significant. Whatever we may face, God helps those who help themselves! He gives us the strength to overcome. This book is a gift of encouragement and recognition. Give it as a gift;keep a present for yourself as well!

I highly recommend Janine Turner's latest book, "Holding Her Head High", to everyone, male and female, with an interest in children. It is well written, researched, thought provoking and educational. Faced with situations beyond their control, and with faith and determination, single mothers throughout history have combined motherhood with endeavors outside the home and achieved success at both. While I believe that, in most cases, children are better off being raised in loving two-parent homes, that is not always possible. This book documents the lives of several single mothers throughout history who, with determination and inspiration from their faith, raised well-adjusted, successful children. Reading the book was a rewarding and learning experience.

Betty Hay (Mrs. Don B. Hay)

Three things struck me about this book:

1. Janine's generous effort to help others hold onto a vision of greatness despite abysmal circumstances;
2. The benefits of practicing the principles in the book can extend to all;
3. I'm not a mother but I couldn't put this book down.

The book is loaded with stories of women who withstood misery in hopes of building a better life for someone else.

Before reading Janine's book I'd spent years in Europe and visited cathedrals where Constantine's mother left relics from her pilgrimmage to what is now known as Israel. After reading Ms. Turner's book, I returned to Rome and those cathedrals. With a new understanding of what Constantine's mom had done for western civilization (despite abandonment, poverty and decades of isolation), reseeing those relics became entirely spectacular.

I can't call myself a Christian. But I don't let that stop me from seeing the universal connection between a virtuous life and reward. This, rather than simply evangelizing for Christianity, is the essence of Janine's book.

Holding Her Head High is an inspirational book that lifts up every mother, single or married, who ever felt alone and challenged by circumstances beyond her control. Janine Turner, herself a single mother, reaches back through time to bring us well researched, intimate portraits of 12 amazing women who lovingly raised their children through faith and determination, and who "found their wings" along the way, changing history! Janine intersperses their stories with life lessons from each, and her personal observations of life as a single mother.

This book will make a wonderful Mother's Day gift for any mother, and its historical accounts are just in time for Women's History Month in March! I suggest you buy at least two - one for yourself and one to give away!

What I found most interesting about the book was its positive, proactive nature. The negative aspects of these womens' lives are not the main focus of their stories-- their faith and fortitude is. These women led humble lives and because of that, extraordinary gifts were given to them.

I would suggest this book not only to single mothers, but for all women seeking inspiration in their lives. All 12 of these women were single mothers, no doubt, but were also great role models for women!