Customer Reviews

A Woman's Book of Life

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this book rather disappointing. Borysenko is at her strongest when she discusses the body-mind connection and the changes a woman goes through in the course of the life cycle; these parts of the book contain useful, up-to-date information for women of any age, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to readers. On the other hand, the "typical woman" whose story she chooses to present throughout the book is a white, upper-middle-class, well-educated woman who takes an exotic job, marries a professional man, and has perfect children ... sorry, but this doesn't sound like most women I know. Her heroine's big teenage crisis is whether or not to diet; her major marital upheaval turns out to be a misunderstanding; and when her husband dies she immediately finds another boyfriend. Where's the child who cuts school or gets involved in drugs; the husband who ditches her to marry a younger woman, leaving her to support herself and the kids on a secretary's salary; the chronic illness that blights her old age? Or do only women who lead relatively sheltered lives have the time and leisure to consider the meaning of the cycles in their lives? Unfortunately, that's the impression the book left me with. Borysenko is apparently a kind, compassionate person who wants to help people make sense of their lives, but the range of readers addressed by this book is awfully narrow.

If you are a woman, or have a woman in your life (mother, wife, daughter, etc.), you should read this book. In other words, whoever you are, you should read this book. It's accessable and easy to read, but packed so full of information and new ideas that even if you disagree with half the book, the other half will open your eyes.

Dr. Borysenko is a scientist, with strong interests in health, spirituality, mind-body interaction, and the role of women in our society. This book synthesizes those ideas into a fascinating whole. It's definitely pitched to the layman (layperson?) rather than to scientists, and presents a broad range of ideas in an accessible and entertaining manner.

Borysenko's goal is to describe the physical and mental changes women undergo in their lives, and to outline a positive way to view each of the phases in a woman's life - childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and maturity. She synthesizes a tremendous amount of science and wisdom to do it, discussing everything from genetics and cell division to Lakota Sioux attitudes towards menstruation. Few readers are likely to agree with everything Borysenko writes, but her ability to take disparate information and combine it is sure to give every reader some new insights into women's physical and mental development, and ways in which women can craft their role in life.

Borysenko introduces most chapters with the ongoing story of a hypothetical character, "Julia", as she matures through each of Borysenko's stages of life. As some of the other reviewers have pointed out, Julia seems to be an idealized verion of Dr. Borysenko herself, an upper-middle class white American with strong interests in womens' development. While this may alienate some readers, I think it's worth sticking with the book. Again, the book is so full of information, presented so well, that a reader may find herself uninterested in Julia but interested in Borysenko's advice on mediation, or on hormonal vs. lifestyle therapy for menapause, or by her information on cultural body image standards in the U.S., or by any of a hundred other things.

I sat down and read this book in two days...I just couldn't put it down. For the first time in my life (I am a young woman in my twenties) I am looking forward to the process of growing older and wiser. Even looking forward to experiencing the changes my body will go through in menopause. I no longer fear getting older and losing my "beauty". This book has caused powerful insight and reflection moving me closer to my potential. The mystery of womanhood is celebrated and embraced in this book rather than touted as less important than "traditional" roles. I will refer back to this book again and again, as well as recommend it to the women in my life who I hold the dearest.

I found this book to be very insightful and fun! Normally I don't read these kind of books, but I found this one very enjoyable. Borysenko makes so many fascinating points and backs them with evidence and examples that aren't boring. It's opened my eyes to many things and explained a few things that were unclear to me before I read this book. I've recommended this book to every women I know and even men!

this book will re-establish lost esteem, spirituallity, and faith in yourself and others with factual data as to "how" and "why" age-old myths have continually been perpetuated and desiged to "keep a woman in her place". However, if you are anti-male, this is not for you. Borysenko is not out to write the great male-bashing literary materpiece. She simply presents the facts with no obvious biases, and educates while encouraging some self-examination along the way. I will be sending a copy to every female in my family!

If a book makes me look forward to mid-life - I am all over it! This book was actually required reading for my course study in human development - what a find! Here, Harvard researcher and bestselling author, Joan Borysenko, takes the cycles of a woman's life and divides them into 7 year increments. Along the journey, she also makes a great case for debunking old myths about women and aging.?That's a Big 10-4, Ms. Borysenko! I find myself constantly at odds with the "beauty" images that the media gives us. I mean, come on, why 'o why are we more often rewarding people for how they look and less for what they contribute to society?

Perhaps it's escapism - I tell myself (in effort to sleep at night). Yet, after reading Borsyenko's, book I'm reminded that, yes, it's good to follow intellectual pursuits. And, yes, there's differences between women and men. According to Borysenko, women are most often motivated by what they can contribute to society, family, and how to make a difference in the world. Men tend to define themselves by their work. Most telling! Anyhow, I won't give away the store here - but in my opinion, if you are of the female persuasion, you will not want to miss this read.

I am a man that is interested in understanding women better. This book was a great contribution towards the fulfillment of my quest. I have not learned so much from a book since reading Chopra's books. Read this book and you will learn a great deal about all dimensions of womanhood, be it biological, spiritual, or emotional. Would give it an additional star if possible.

Borysenko provides enough scientific detail to educate the reader and support her arguments, but does not get so bogged down with neuroanatomy and biology that we get lost or bored. She offers insightful interpretations of biological and psychological research while weaving in stories and making the information come to life. This is a thought-provoking book that challenges the many assumptions about femininity and, instead of trying to make women more like men, celebrates the differences between the two sexes. Inspiring work that made me proud of my feminine characteristics.

Anyone wishing to understand the biology and psychology of the young woman will find this book invaluable. I especially found the concept of individuation at around 12-14 years old a very enlightening concept- shedding some much needed light on the teen years. A graceful and empowering book!

This book was interesting, but not enough for me to finish quickly.However I do recommend it to readers seeking information in the process of body change in women.