Customer Reviews

Patty Hearst Her Story

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

 

 

As Tania, Patty Hearst was the main icon of her time. Her experiences force not just Ms. Hearst but all of us to question to what extent we have free will and to what extent we are subject to larger forces over which we have no control. Kidnapped and locked in a closet, Ms. Hearst had no real choice but to join her captors and rob banks under her new name "Tania". And yet there was something chillingly real about Tania too. It's hard to put a finger on it, but Tania's performance seemed like something more than just a kidnap victim acting under duress. Even though the change may have happened under duress, ultimately Patty Hearst really did become Tania. Because Ms. Hearst was once Symbionese, she understands the Symbionese mindset perfectly and therefore her autobiography has incredible power behind it. The book also raises, for me, a more optimistic question: if we can be forced to make profound, and undesirable, changes in ourselves through forced changes in our environment, could not we also, at our own initiative, make profound positive changes in ourselves by choosing the correct environment?

If you're too young to recall the events of the Patty Hearst abduction, this book will certainly capture your interest. If you do remember the events that took place in September of 1974, you will also want to read this book because it also reintroduces many social events that were taking place during that era that in retrospect seem very silly. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of the 1970's

I was not even born when around the era of Patty Hearst. But having visited the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, it really caught my attention. After having read the book I now have a better image of what happened and from her side. If you thought she was guilty before, you wont after reading this I gave it only 4 stars because I thought she could have talked more about her life after the SLA and the trial so that we could know what she is doing now and how she managed to get her life back together.

I read the story of Patty Hearst and I loved it. It was a truthful account of what transpired and provides a deep insight on how the mind works and what the human mind will do to stay alive. You feel like you are there with her and at times you can feel her pain. An intriguing and tragic story. Also a great view of 1970s America

For anyone who is fascinated by the Patty Hearst case (and who isn't?) this book is a must read. Hearst tells you the story as she experienced it and remembers it. It's a very interesting read, although I do agree with the other reviewer who pointed out that it would be interesting to learn more about Hearst's life after the events.

Note: This book was originally published as "Every Secret Thing". This rerelease came out around the same time as the film "Patty Hearst".

As a complement to this book, you might also want to read "Soliah: The Sarah Jane Olsen Story" by Sharon Darby Hendry.

Hearst tells the story of her kidnapping by the SLA. It is most horrifying story, a real life drama, written in an engaging and interesting style. I found it difficult to let the book out of my hands.

The SLA kidnaps her. The SLA locks her in a closet. The SLA has rifles aimed at her in the bank. The government tries to kill them. The government imprisons her.

Go figure.

Sung to the tune of the theme from "Mr. Ed":

A Hearst is a Hearst, she was immersed
In the SLA, but though the rest were cursed
To die amid machine gun bursts,
Where was Patty Hearst?

Go right to the source, her Dad, of course
He paid off the prison and police force
Who freed her, she showed no remorse
The famous Patty Hearst

People yakkety-yakked and leaked
Her whereabouts and then
The FBI came and picked her up
And then all the bull-s**t began

A Hearst is a Hearst and money talks
The cell door swings open and Patty walks
She writes a book and then she hawks it
"Now listen to this:
I AM PATTY HEARST!"