Review: My Life
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsIn contrast to most politicians' self-portraits, this autobiography of Israel's former premier is both frank and very revealing of her personality and goals. Her total lack of pretense is especially winning. At age sixteen she worked as a dressmaker and ""even today I find myself automatically giving a quick glance at the hems of skirts and can run one up with total confidence."" ""Never forget who you are,"" her sister warned her, but she needn't have worried. The roots of MeWs political ""inflexibility"" come from her life experience--from her first memory of a pogrom through the series of international betrayals she witnessed in the 1930's--Munich was only one capitulation among many--to the Holocaust itself. A preoccupation, obsession, some might say, with Israel's survival and self-reliance were the logical outgrowth. She has much to say on the special problems of women in polities, who ""carry such a heavy double burden"" of maintaining career and home. Although the political events narrated are well known they are recounted with drama and spirit. Don't mistake this for just chicken soup with riposte-noodles: it's a model of its kind and a sure crowd-pleaser.
Review: My Life
Editorial Review - Kirkus ReviewsIn contrast to most politicians' self-portraits, this autobiography of Israel's former premier is both frank and very revealing of her personality and goals. Her total lack of pretense is especially winning. At age sixteen she worked as a dressmaker and ""even today I find myself automatically giving a quick glance at the hems of skirts and can run one up with total confidence."" ""Never forget who you are,"" her sister warned her, but she needn't have worried. ""I have never forgotten that I came from a poor family or ever fooled myself into thinking that I was honored anywhere for my beauty, wisdom or erudition."" MeWs practical idealism can be seen in efforts as diverse as the beautification of kibbutzim and her strong advocacy of unemployment benefits. The work that ""most concerned and interested me,"" she writes, was ""the translation of socialist principles into the down-to-earth terminology of everyday life."" The roots of MeWs political ""inflexibility"" come from her life experience--from her first memory of a pogrom through the series of international betrayals she witnessed in the 1930's--Munich was only one capitulation among many--to the Holocaust itself. A preoccupation, obsession, some might say, with Israel's survival and self-reliance were the logical outgrowth. She has much to say on the special problems of women in politics, who ""carry such a heavy double burden"" of maintaining career and home. Although the political events narrated are well known they are recounted with drama and spirit. Don't mistake this for just chicken soup with riposte-noodles: it's a model of its kind and a sure crowd-pleaser.
Review: My Life
User Review - Peter Twele - GoodreadsA little too one-sided, but a good read nevertheless. Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Adam DeVille, Ph.D. - GoodreadsA deeply fascinating woman dealing with formidable issues. The only outstanding question about this autobiography was how much 'shading' the author did of certain events. Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Adam - GoodreadsI get the impression there's a lot between and beyond the lines in this memoir, taking the opportunity to set the record straight. Whether it is neglect of her husband who followed her loyally to ... Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Rachel - GoodreadsWhat a life journey! What a great way to learn about the establishment of the Jewish State--Israel. Plus, I am ashamed to say that never once, in my many readings and studyings of the Holocaust of ... Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Rs - GoodreadsFascinating. I'd never heard that Israel passed a law allowing Palestinians to apply for reimbursement for their land. And that 2/3 of claims were honored. Six-day war and Yom Kippur War are ... Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Robert Rosenberg - Goodreadswhat a life! Read full review
Review: My Life
User Review - Gary - GoodreadsMy Life by Golda Meir is a compelling autobiography, which tells of the life of this amazing woman, from her early poverty-stricken childhood in Kiev, to her tenure as Prime Minister of Israel, from ... Read full review
