Customer Reviews

Never Learn to Type: A Woman at the United Nations

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Margaret Joan Anstee's life reads like the script of an epic movie: financially challenged semi-rural childhood redeemed by her parents' commitment to educating their daughter (not at all common in the early part of the 20th century), the intervention of a few kind and well-connected teachers, and the serious smarts of Anstee herself. From rationing and loss associated with World War II to the hallowed halls of Oxford to just about every important geopolitical event of the latter half of the last century, Anstee brings to life the people and places that colored her life (and impacted the world!).

Anstee writes with a sense of humor and bemusement. Relating an episode wherein she and a girlfriend are kept as virtual hostages by a pair of elderly women from whom they had rented a room, one gets more a sense of amusement at the whole event rather than an impression of terror. This attitude of welcoming and seeking adventure and the improbable permeates the entire book and is shown to be a key value that led Anstee into her globehopping life.

Anstee relentlessly confronted the limitations that others continuually tried to place upon her. Her gender, social class, education and even religion could have prevented her from accomplishing even a fraction of what is related here and no one would have cast even the smallest amount of blame. But she not only overcomes these obstacles but actually triumphs over them. Anstee is a true inspiration and an amazing woman.

"Never Learn To Type" is a highly recommended book for anyone who wants to learn from the example of one who never quit even when given more than ample opportunity to do so, who wishes a backstage pass to key events of her time or who just wants to enjoy a good story of a life well lived.

Ms. Anstee's book shares her life's incrediable story, much of which is her role with the United Nations. I knew her when we both worked with the United Nations and I learned much from her that helped my own career and my work with the United Nations. It is a great read that shows what one woman achieved at a time when women were considered only suitable to be secretaries, thus the title. Her story is also great in presenting a view of what the United Nations does.

Gary Gabriel (now retired from the United Nations)