Scan barcode
ellagant's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This book reminded me a lot of Secrets of the Sprakkar. Both books had some feminism themes, but were ultimately focused on equality for all groups. The stories from all of the amazing people in this book were happy at times and sad at others, but all of them were impactful.
gemmahydex's review against another edition
3.0
I learnt a lot from this book. I found myself nodding along and shaking my head angrily throughout listening to this. I think it added that extra touch as it was narrated by Melinda Gates herself. You could tell the passion she has for it and I also enjoyed learning more about her and her life as well. So many important points and I would recommend this book to anyone, especially as an audiobook
keegan_rellim_taylor's review
5.0
I have now bought this book. It is that good. I will have highlighting on almost every page when I'm done with my own copy. For now, until it arrives, I have bookmarked nearly every page.
This isn't as much a memoir as it is Melinda Gates' stories of OTHERS (especially women) that she's met. She never uses the term "white savior," but it is clear she's familiar with the term and does actively try to guard against being one. As a white woman myself, it's not my place to say whether she has succeeded, but I appreciate that she's consciously trying to check her biases.
I love the respect she pays to the people in the communities and the experts. She writes so well and so thoughtfully, I'm recommending this book to every man or woman I think would read it (which is mostly women).
This isn't as much a memoir as it is Melinda Gates' stories of OTHERS (especially women) that she's met. She never uses the term "white savior," but it is clear she's familiar with the term and does actively try to guard against being one. As a white woman myself, it's not my place to say whether she has succeeded, but I appreciate that she's consciously trying to check her biases.
I love the respect she pays to the people in the communities and the experts. She writes so well and so thoughtfully, I'm recommending this book to every man or woman I think would read it (which is mostly women).
kbstein's review
4.0
I have always had great respect for Melinda Gates and her hard work to help those born into the worst conditions. Melinda and Bill have been, in my opinion, the most influential and beneficial philanthropists in recent history. This book focuses on the hardships of women in the poorest of countries and how those of us who enjoy much privilege can help dismantle the obstacles in the way of women’s naturally born ability to flourish and contribute to humanity. With many of the unbelievable situations and conditions others have to deal with hidden away, it is easy to ignore them. This book has helped me to continue to be appreciative of what I have due to dumb luck. I hope I will live to see a day when the human race is able to provide every member of society a comfortable life. A world where meritocracy determines standard of living and everyone is taken care of regardless of their personal contributions.
speranta's review
5.0
This was an extremely empowering book with many personal details that have the flavor of hope, even though, it was hard to listen about the good parts of her marriage story, knowing it did not last
j_nell's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
bkd91's review against another edition
4.0
A book worth reading
This kind of book is not my usual cup of tea but it was on sale at amazon and I got curious. And I do not regret reading this cause I saw that from the moment I started this book that this would be a great one.
The way she writes makes it easy to read, and based on the length I could have read this in 2-3 hours but the subjects are so heavy and tough to get through that it took me three days to read this. I had to take breaks, but I don’t regret reading this. It’s a heartbreaking and beautiful book and I will admit to being brought to tears several times. It had me smiling while reading about her and Bill. It had me sick to my stomach reading about the girls in different countries and the genital cuttings and child marriages.
The subjects are heavy and hard to read about but the way Melinda Gates writes got me through it.
This kind of book is not my usual cup of tea but it was on sale at amazon and I got curious. And I do not regret reading this cause I saw that from the moment I started this book that this would be a great one.
The way she writes makes it easy to read, and based on the length I could have read this in 2-3 hours but the subjects are so heavy and tough to get through that it took me three days to read this. I had to take breaks, but I don’t regret reading this. It’s a heartbreaking and beautiful book and I will admit to being brought to tears several times. It had me smiling while reading about her and Bill. It had me sick to my stomach reading about the girls in different countries and the genital cuttings and child marriages.
The subjects are heavy and hard to read about but the way Melinda Gates writes got me through it.
jennyjjs's review
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book! I may give a lot of books 5 stars because I love a lot of books. But if there was a 5+ category this book would be at the top of that list. It was one of those books you want to start clapping at the end. I gave a lot of 'amens' throughout the book. And if I could encourage every man and woman to read it I would. There were amazing stories, profound thoughts, and moments of pure inspiration.
Without sharing too much, because I feel like it's most powerful when read cover to cover, one of her phrases that captures the spirit of the book is: "This is not about bringing women in and leaving others out. It's about bringing women in as a way to bring everyone in."
Without sharing too much, because I feel like it's most powerful when read cover to cover, one of her phrases that captures the spirit of the book is: "This is not about bringing women in and leaving others out. It's about bringing women in as a way to bring everyone in."
emilysabeyy's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is the only book to have ever made me cry. It was heart wrenching but so so gooood!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abortion, and Pregnancy