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Wendy Davis
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Forgetting to Be Afraid: A Memoir Kindle Edition

by Wendy Davis (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 97 ratings
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Wendy Davis has had her share of tough fights. Raised by a single mother with a ninth-grade education, Davis began working after school at age fourteen to contribute to the family finances. By the time she was nineteen, she was living in a trailer park with a baby daughter and holding down two jobs. But rather than succumb to the cycle of poverty that threatened to overwhelm her, Davis managed to attend community college and Texas Christian University, graduate from Harvard Law School, and go on to serve nine years on the Fort Worth City Council. She set her sights on the Texas state senate—and in 2008 defeated a longtime GOP incumbent in a race widely considered one of the biggest recent upsets in Texas politics.

But it wasn’t until June 2013 that the rest of America was acquainted with the spirited Texas state senator. Davis became an overnight political sensation and a hero to women’s rights supporters across the country when she single-handedly filibustered Governor Rick Perry’s sweeping bill that aimed to close all but five abortion clinics in her state. During her historic nearly thirteen hours on the floor of the state legislature, Davis wasn’t allowed to eat, drink, sit, use the bathroom, speak off topic, or lean against any furniture. When it was over, President Obama tweeted support to his millions of Twitter followers, and Wendy Davis—with her pink sneakers—was suddenly a household name.

She is now the first Democrat to make a serious run for governor of Texas in two decades, and her personal story is a testament to the enduring power of the American dream and an inspiration to countless women looking for a way out of desperate circumstances. Told in her own refreshingly forthright voice, Forgetting to be Afraid is the exhilarating and deeply moving story behind one of the nation’s brightest young political stars.
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  1. Print length
    307 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Plume
  5. Publication date
    September 9, 2014
  6. File size
    23800 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
97 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book great, entertaining, and well-written. They also appreciate the author's honesty and first-hand view of the inner workings of the legislature. Readers also mention the memoir reveals intimate details of the life of a woman.

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ReadabilityWriting styleAuthenticity
12 customers mention "Readability"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book great, powerful, and entertaining. They also say the first half is good.

"...Worth a read." Read more

"This is a good book. That Wendy Davis could pull herself up by the bootstraps and make the success of herself that she is is impressive...." Read more

"The first half of the book was good...." Read more

"Easy read, entertaining" Read more

11 customers mention "Writing style"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing style well-written, personal, and eloquent. They say the memoir is honest, heartfelt, and an easy read. Readers also mention the author's fears and experiences are expressed clearly.

"This was an honest and well written memoir about the struggles of an American woman...." Read more

"...that brings every part of this book to believable life makes it an easy read...." Read more

"This was a great book about an amazing woman. Written on a very personal level, it feels like sitting and having a conversation with Wendy herself...." Read more

"...While she is highly educated and eloquent I found something a little lacking in the writing style itself...." Read more

4 customers mention "Authenticity"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book authentic. They say the author reveals the most intimate details of her life. Readers also say it's an interesting first-hand view of the inner workings of the legislature.

"This was an honest and well written memoir about the struggles of an American woman...." Read more

"...She tells with absolute honesty the path that shetook to get to the State Senate and then become a candidate...." Read more

"...She shares very personal stories of struggles and challenges in her life that nearly anyone can relate to. Worth a read." Read more

"Heartfelt memoir. Interesting first hand view of the inner workings of the legislature." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

KarenB
5.0 out of 5 stars Wendy writes first hand about the good old boy back stabbing dirty playing republican party in ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was an honest and well written memoir about the struggles of an American woman. Wendy grew up much too fast yet was able to get a Harvard education and begin a successful career in politics. She is a wife, mother, daughter and sister who loves her family in spite of their flaws and holds no bitterness. She's made mistakes and she's beat the odds. Wendy writes first hand about the good old boy back stabbing dirty playing republican party in Texas.
3 people found this helpful
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Donald F Mersel
5.0 out of 5 stars The Future Belongs to Those Who Believe In the Beauty of Their Dreams
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
IMy heading was taken straight from Wendy Davis' blockbuster Memoir. Eleanor Roosevelt wrote those words and they are on top of Chapter 12. Her husband FDR is famous for the words, "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." Wendy Davis fuses those two ideas to develop the narrative for a memoir that is the most powerful I've have read.
This book reveals the most intimate details of the life a woman who is currently a candidate for Governor of Texas. She tells with absolute honesty the path that she
took to get to the State Senate and then become a candidate. She is the most unlikely person to be in this position considering the narrative of her life growing up
so poor and with such obstacles.
She almost didn't make it because her mother was divorced, poor and depressed and was just about to kill herself and her 3 childre. An Angel appeared and saved her life.
She is the most gutsy woman to be a candidate for office when she reveals her whole life story. From my perspective, she is
being totally transparent and unafraid to put herself forward.
The chaos and pathos in her life did not stop her from achieving intellectually and growing emotionally.
Just as I used to have my students read "Healing Hands" by Dr. Ben Carson, I would suggest every teacher make this mandatory reading for youngster, both male and female.
Buy one book for you and one for a youngster. !!!!!!!!!
23 people found this helpful
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Amy Porubsky
4.0 out of 5 stars A story of awakening and hope
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2014
Verified Purchase
As Wendy Davis shares her journey, she reminds us of the essence of democracy, freedom, and sacrifice. Her story is at once familiar and inspiring. It's a story that every single Texan would do well to embrace.

The person who can get through chapters 13 & 14 without being affected is a person I hope never to know. But if such a person exists, I'm certain that Wendy would fight as arduously for their rights as she has the rights of her constituents here in Fort Worth and all across this great state.

Thank you, Wendy.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars ... of this book to believable life makes it an easy read. I know the challenges of being a ...
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
The courageous honesty that brings every part of this book to believable life makes it an easy read. I know the challenges of being a single mom and the joy of completing my education to provide for my children, the struggle to be fully present to both at once, Even though I thankfully was not faced with some of the decisions Wendy has faced, I felt the agony any mother would know in choosing what is best for her family at times when there are no easy choices, I highly recommend this book to all of compassionate hearts,
One person found this helpful
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alanders
5.0 out of 5 stars I think I cried through half of this book...
Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2014
Verified Purchase
This was a great book about an amazing woman. Written on a very personal level, it feels like sitting and having a conversation with Wendy herself. She shares very personal stories of struggles and challenges in her life that nearly anyone can relate to. Worth a read.
One person found this helpful
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J. Joslin
3.0 out of 5 stars Wendy Davis left a part of herself behind
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2014
Verified Purchase
This book was more than I had hoped for. It gave me the insight I was curious about in regards to her and also her 13 hour Texas Senate filibuster. Wendy Davis has overcame insurmountable odds that weren't stacked in her favor from the beginning. She had me in laughter at some points and other times in emotional tears but most of all, she kept me wanting to know more. I do believe that she left a part of herself behind in this book and showed us some of her inner most thoughts and insecurities in reflecting upon her life.
I typically don't hold much regard for politicians much less find the urge to know more about them and what makes them tick. Having heard about her filibuster last year I started loosely following her. I found out she had a book and bought it on it's release date. I was excited to start and did with utmost haste.
She seems to be the 'real deal', a true servant to those whom she wins their vote from. She has an amazing set of core values that she worked hard to discover and chooses to take the moral high ground as opposed to the easy way or vote. Often times she touts her father as a fighter, I can see where she gets it from. She has a quiet but indisputable tenacity and fierceness that separates her from the rest of the pack.
I find myself closely relating to her in some regards and hope to maybe one day be blessed with meeting her. If I lived in Texas there is no doubt she would have my vote...hands down. I truly wished she lived in Oklahoma instead. We need someone who is willing to make the hard decisions she prides herself on.
I find myself torn between a 3 & 4 star rating. While she is highly educated and eloquent I found something a little lacking in the writing style itself. It is totally a personal preference so I put 3 stars but it does not take away from the high esteem I have for her.
3 people found this helpful
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sandra k glenn
5.0 out of 5 stars She's the real deal!
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2014
Verified Purchase
Wendy Davis is a true servant of the people and her journey makes her perfect to be our next Governor of Texas. She stands up to the cronies who line their pockets for their own selfish, sort sighted, arrogant old boy network. She is a breath of fresh air the People of Texas desperately need now. Please vote for Wendy Davis., if you care about Texas you have no choice but to do the right thing and put her in the Governors office.
2 people found this helpful
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Pauline Wilson
5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!!
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2014
Verified Purchase
Loved it! I could not put the book down and read it in just a few days. This book really made me
admire her hard work and determination to make this country a better place for all women, minorities, etc. to live in.
I would highly recommend it and wish I lived in Texas so I could vote for her for Governor. Good Luck
Wendy and please never give up fighting for all us women, etc.
4 people found this helpful
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