A World of Her Own

January 15, 2014
If only the writing lived up to the subject matter.... Twenty-four vignettes of intrepid true-life women--exploring, adventuring and risking their lives to live fully--are recounted in passive, confusing narratives. Disjointed thoughts plague many of the accounts: "At one point Sophia thought that she couldn't walk another step, but she only grew stronger." Troublesome undercurrents riffle others: ."..and Eleanor's intelligence, courage, and grace set an example of what a woman could accomplish at sea." (Switch the gender and see how patronizing it sounds.) For a book about women, the influence of men infiltrates irritatingly. Most role models depicted, whether in the forms of parents, spouses or professors, are men. Professors, especially, proliferate since doctorates are earned by many of the women. And often earned, it seems, without much juggling of responsibilities or financial hardship. While many of the women profiled knew struggle in both childhood and adulthood, the flat tone of the writing keeps readers from engaging emotionally. All these women could be--are--wonderful role models, and their stories could inspire, if only they were told with more passion. The most inspiration is found in the resources, notes and bibliography sections of the backmatter. The book's overall tone--that of a laundry list of accomplishments--does a disservice to readers who deserve to relate to and be inspired by these remarkable women. (Collective biography. 10-17)

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December 1, 2014

Gr 7-10-This addition certainly lives up to its series name. Naturalist and author Ross tells the stories of different women who stepped outside their comfort zones, overcame hardships, and earned advanced degrees all in order to explore nature, seek adventure, and find personal fulfillment. Divided into four parts-"Called by Mountains," "Seeking Nature," "Exploring the World's Water," and "Long Trek"-the book profiles women such as Sophia Danenberg, who summited Everest in 2006; Constanza Ceruti, who climbs mountains to visit high-elevation archaeological sites; Ynes Mexia, who traversed South America in the 1930s; and homemaker and mother Helga Estby, who with her daughter Clara walked across America in 1896. These are fascinating, well-told stories, sure to intrigue readers. Photographs are scattered throughout the text. A solid collection of inspiring individuals.-Patricia Ann Owens, formerly with Illinois Eastern Community Colls., Mt. Carmel

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