Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers [Paperback]

John Miller (Author), Anjelica Huston (Introduction)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1577311833 | ISBN-13: 978-1577311836 | Publication Date: September 9, 2001

Rendered by women artists and writers, these portraits illuminate the most influential women of our time. Liv Ullman marvels at Anne Frank’s faith in the face of atrocity. Claudia Roth Pierpont explores how Virginia Woolf’s atypical persona informed literature for the next hundred years. Camille Paglia champions Amelia Earhart as a pioneer who invaded the male world. The book also celebrates the fire of Angela Davis, the courage of Aung San Suu Kyi, the brains of Eleanor Roosevelt, and the brio of Ella Fitzgerald. The essays are accompanied by striking duotone photographs by such photographers as Alfred Stieglitz, Man Ray, and Cecil Beaton. Pairings include Joan Didion on Georgia O’Keeffe, Terry Tempest Williams on Rachel Carson, and Gloria Steinem on Marilyn Monroe.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Although readers may quibble over how "legendary" a few of these subjects are or the greatness of some of their literary portrayers, this glossy tome deserves readers' attention. Brief, punchy text is paired with arresting black-and-white photos of a melange of remarkable women, such as Frida Kahlo, Aung San Suu Kyi, Rachel Carson, Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, Marilyn Monroe, and Josephine Baker. The result is an unholy, but thoroughly enjoyable, jostling throng where sex symbols rub elbows with world leaders and artists spill drinks on reformers.

Alma Guillermoprieto emblazons the later years of mercurial modern dance pioneer Martha Graham's life. Once a dance student at Graham's vaunted studio, she remembers that "as Martha wove through our ranks she would snarl, and pinch and slap us, evidently enraged by our sloppy posture, our dishevelment, our general lack of presence." Camille Paglia talks of what Amelia Earhart meant to her as an American teenager in the early 1960s, railing against restrictive sex roles while "marooned in a desert of perky blondes." Cynthia Ozick takes aim at Gertrude Stein, Joan Didion at Georgia O'Keefe, and Diane Ackerman at Beryl Markham. Margeretta Mitchell recalls photographer Imogen Cunningham striding San Francisco in her beaded cap and white bangs, proclaiming by her acts "that it was possible to grow old working; to maintain interest in life; to be wholly oneself." Far from being fluff, many of these excerpts from longer writings are as provocative and engaging as the legends they embellish. --Francesca Coltrera --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

With such noted writers as Joan Didion, Mary Jo Salter, Alice Walker and Gloria Steinem, this compilation of images and words commemorating some of the world's most powerful women is invaluable. Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers, edited by John Miller, celebrates eminent women like Anna Pavlova, Jane Goodall, Mother Theresa, Oprah, Frida Kahlo and Virginia Woolf from the perspectives of other women luminaries. Brief biographies of the 50 women featured are provided at the end.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: New World Library (September 9, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577311833
• ISBN-13: 978-1577311836
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,033 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Diversity of Influential Women, November 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers (Hardcover)

For one of the first times, we are seeing a coffee table photography book that represents woman in a true - albeit not at all times - pleasant light.

In Mr. Miller's literary offering he gives us a diverse group of women, scientists, actresses, humanitarians and writers, dancers, public figures and entertainers from all walks of life.

The writers in their individual essays present these women - for the good and the bad of them - never holding back their foibles and shortcomings but in the fulness of their personas, the human qualities that we all relate to come shining through.

Reading about why everyone "hates" Martha Stewart or how Colette was ostracized in her own time or that Martha Graham was a "sacred monster" and Billie Holiday and Marilyn Monroe dealt with deep depression, drug addiction and eventual self-destruction is a great equalizer for those women (and men as well) who deal with their daily demons and may feel alone and defeated with their terrors.

These women rose about their fears and criticisms, their rebukes and their trivializations to become the "Legends" we read about.

I for one thank Mr. Miller for this glimpse of truth

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars www.valderbeebeshow.com, March 4, 2006

By 

Valder Beebe "Valder Beebe Show Producers" (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers (Hardcover)

After reading Legends 2 : Women Who Changed the World through the Eyes of Great Women Writers by John Miller, Kirsten Miller (September 2004) my curiosity to know more about `the women who are considered legendary' in our times, lead me to the original Legends by John Miller.
As my life is always inspired by those who `live their purpose' I was not disappointed by John Miller's daring assemblage of writers to optimize in words, their thoughts of contemporary iconic women from Golda Meir, Bette Davis, Josephine Baker, Zora Neale Hurston, Helen Keller, to the power of Georgia O'Keeffe, the bravery of Amelia Earhart, the beauty and wit of Lucille Ball, to the omni-presence of Oprah Winfrey.
As I tackle my days of mountains and mountains of to do's, during my mandated 3:00 mediation time, I read a page for renewal and inspiration to tackle the next contract, the next segment of my radio show or write the next review. Each well written snapshot of each of these heroic women is pure energetic inspiration. Reading the shards of Ella Fitzgerald life, reminds me of how far our world has come and how GOD has kept watch over "women" who are the perpetual of the world (not the destroyers as our gender counter part seem). The passions of Martha Stewart no matter what is said, you can not tarnished her business greatness for turning the mundane into an empire, (no matter what you think today).
As I continue to read, I want my daughter to now know these books, Legends. I want her to know and revere the women who faced odds and simply saw obstacles as `what you face in life.' Babe Didrikson Zaharias, an Olympic Athlete, faced it all; controversy, cancer and unbelievable discrimination to live her purpose. Anne Frank, has shown us that our greatness will rise, no matter what the circumstances. Marion Anderson exhibited that greatness will fulfill its purpose, no matter where; before a segregated audience or from the Lincoln Memorial.
Women. We make the world revolve, we create new life, and we are the reason for the term `a glass ceiling' being incorporating into modern language. John Miller reminds us `women-you have to live with us because you can not advance without us.'

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Photos, great words, November 25, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Legends: Women Who Have Changed the World Through the Eyes of Great Women Writers (Hardcover)

I got this book as an early Christmas present from my husband. The photographs and essays of the women in the book are really special. The women in the book, both the subjects and the writers, are very inspiring and the photos are strong and beautiful. One of the best gifts I have ever received!