A Woman's Book of Life by Joan Borysenko
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Book Reviews of A Woman's Book of Life
Book Review: Everyone Should Read This Book
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Book Review: scientific, but entertaining!
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Book Review: Don't waste your time
Summary: 1 Stars
I was asked to read this book as part of a Masters of Science program. It is one of the worst books I have ever been exposed to. Borysenko is a feminist, trying desperately to sound otherwise. She tries to fill the book with a few interesting points about the growth cycle of a woman, but not enough to save it. I almost feel sorry for her. Any way don't waste your money or your time on this bookBook Review: a book for every woman, of every age
Summary: 5 Stars
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!Book Review: INSIGHTFUL
Summary: 5 Stars
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!