HomeShop at BookSurgeBiography & AutobiographyWomenLiving in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories |
|  |
| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 8 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
A Book that will Speak to the Heart of Every Woman Mar 10, 2010
By Faith A. Draper
Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories by Pamela Ferris-Olson gives a unique look into the lives and history of three minority women. These women have endured hardships similar to many women in America. However, they have done so, while at the same time struggling with the problems that come with being part of a minority group.
The author has written the book in a way that leaves the reader feeling like they have met the three 'extraordinary women' in person. Rather than a straight biography form of writing, Ferris-Olson has written Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories to include interviews, thoughts and letters from the women themselves, as well as input from friends, family, and counter-parts.
The three women in the book are not Nobel Peace Prize winners; notable movie stars, or married to a famous politician. Once reading the book and these women's stories though, you will walk away with a feeling each one deserves a special award. You might not expect to find three remarkable heroines in the Heartland of America, but in sharing the ladies struggles, determination, and successes you will no doubt look differently at minority groups.
As Pamela Ferris-Olson states: "Ife, Nancy, Ellyn, and the other women openly and earnestly shared their stories with me. They believed in this project. I owe it to them to see their stories are told so others might benefit."
First, you will meet Nancy. A Native American who is proud of her heritage but at the same time struggled with the confines of the reservation and the limits of a future imposed there. Nancy joined the United States Navy but struggled with issues of self-esteem, abusive relationships, and isolation. None of it stopped her from pursuing a better life. You also meet Nancy's daughter who contributes to the book by way of blog entries.
Next we meet Ife an African American Muslim woman. Ife was raised in the Muslim tradition with the long garments and a veil covering most of her face. The sheltered life Ife led as a child did not prepare her for
teenage life in the world. This remarkable woman struggled with poverty, discrimination issues and raising two sons. In Ife's story Olson includes input from other Muslim.
Last, but certainly not least, is Ellyn's story. Born in Korea, Ellyn faced major problems from the very beginning. Born with a cleft palete to parents, who could not afford the medical bills, she was given up for adoption. Her American parents provided for her needs but she grew up struggling with a desire to meet her biological family in Korea. Much of Ellyn's story is told through letters in a journal her adoptive mother Mary shares.
Pamela Ferris-Olson chose these three minority women in hopes the book will help break down barriers between people and illustrate how remarkable women are in the way we cope with challenges, even large ones like the women in her book have overcome.
Added Note: I highly recommend this book, the three ladies are an inspiration to all women facing trials and tribulations of today's world and after finishing ."Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories" by Pamela Ferris-Olson I felt as if I knew the three women and the author in person.
Faith Draper - Reviewer for Bookpleasures
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Real people can make a difference Feb 12, 2010
By Robert Spokane
"Living..." is a series of imtimate stories about three women, facing real challeges that can easily become overwhelming. These women "stay with the program" and and are making a difference in the world. Ms Ferris-Olson writes an excellent story that can inspire others ot lead a life of purpose.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Intriguing and highly worthwhile reading Apr 12, 2010
By Midwest Book Review
One makes their way through life by meeting challenges head on. "Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories" is a collection of memoirs recorded by Pamela Ferris-Olson as she seeks to tell the life stories of three particular women who rose up and faced the challenges of their life and what made them above others with their attitudes that stood against the grain. For those seeking stories of inspirational women, "Living in the Heartland" is intriguing and highly worthwhile reading.
Living in the Heartland Rocks! Nov 10, 2010
By Kathleen O'Keefe-Kanavos
Author: Pamela Ferris-Olson
ISBN: 978-0-615-34066-1
Publisher: Out of the Box Publishing Company LLC
Living in the Heartland - Three Extraordinary Women's Stories
Living in the Heartland is much more than emotionally gripping stories about the life challenges of three minority women--Nancy the Native American, Ife from a devout Muslim family, and Elyn the Korean who was adopted as a child by Americans. Pamela Ferris-Olson weaves her narrative writing skills with profound storytelling capability to take the reader on a complex journey into the personal lives of these women. Their stories rise above personal trials and tribulations, break vicious circles of mental and physical abuse, alcoholism, and addiction. Living in the Heartland is about finding one's inner strength to become all that you can be despite social, ethnic, and religious limitations. These women from the Heartland of America are a shining light to women all over the world. Read Living in the Heartland and weep with joy.
[...]
Superb! Aug 06, 2010
By Carmelina Vargas
A celebration of women's voices echoing courage in the face of challenge. A must have in my collection.
A dynamic perspective into Living in the Heartland: Three Extraordinary Women's Stories
See all 8 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
| | |
|
|
