Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson Summary and Reviews
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.54 You Save: $5.46 (39%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Composing a Life
Book Review: A great general framework on how to compose an enjoyable life
Summary: 5 Stars
I agree with the previous reviewers that mentioned the scope of the book is narrow focused, in that it certainly deals with the life of 5 successful women all middle to upper class. Still, if you are in the situation of dealing with multiple tasks at the same time - and so many women nowadays are, independent of the country where they live or how they came into it - this book is really helpful in giving a different and flexible approach to the way we ought to view our career and marriage choices, and what not to think when faced with adversity.
The novelty for me (and the help in it) was the author's approach in the fluidity of our choices, and how deleterious the idea that we should always be doing the same thing (job, marriages, etc.) might be. The main point of the book is that change and fluidity are the normal standards for a succesfull and fulfilling life in the 20 (21) century, and how the idea of always doing the same thing for the rest of one's life is generally doomed to failure. So, the author focuses on the changes these women have made to come to terms with their (very succesfull)lifes. Very interesting read.
Book Review: Composing a Life
Summary: 5 Stars
Excellent book on the changing shape of women's lives in our society. Some good information and food for thought. I would purchase it again.Book Review: Composing a Life by Mary Catherine Bateson
Summary: 5 Stars
I first started to read what Ms. Bateson wrote because it was advertised as a life story of her famous mother Margaret Mead. Soon I was looking for everything that Ms. Bateson wrote. I found her view of her famous parents intriguing. What she told about growing up with "working parents" is certainly relevant in today's world.
I have only one negative comment to offer to Mary Catherine Bateson. In the very descriptive narrative about her father's life she delineates in detail his opinions and theories about schitzophrenia. More recent medical research has shown that the theories of mental illness that blame the family and in particular the "mother" are totally unfounded. I would appreciate a disclaimer somewhere in the book that mentions much of the modern brain research about schitzophrenia.
Families who have newly discovered this dread disease in their midst need to always have access to the newest scientific findings. Reading the totally out of date theories of Mr. Bateson could be devastating.
Book Review: Exceptional book!
Summary: 5 Stars
I just gave 6 high school and college graduates this book. An exceptional book that shows you don't have to let life just happen but you can participate in how it evolves. Received it from my college professor in 2000 and have been passing it on ever since.Book Review: Five Women of Vision, Creativity and Intelligence
Summary: 4 Stars
The author examines how five women of intelligence, creativity and vision composed their lives.
Bateson discusses the traditional ways of viewing life as a single uninterrupted strand from beginning to end. Instead of viewing life this way, she chooses to define life's journey as enriched by tangents, change and rerouting. She makes the case that women's work has prepared them for this. Women cook, read, pursue professional goals, raise families - - all at the same time. Women are eclectic and are accustomed to being up-rooted.
Bateson sees the new age as one that requires this kind of preparedness and skill. She discusses how derailment usually can be viewed as beneficial whereas traditional views stress certainty and defined continuity. This is an interesting thesis and she has chosen interesting women to make her point. Parts of the book are repetitive but, overall, it is very interesting and thought-provoking