Reviews
Breath: A Lifetime in the Rhythm of an Iron Lung: A Memoir by Martha Mason, Anne Rivers Siddons
bhdavis's review against another edition
3.0
It was fascinating to read about this woman's life and learn more about this horrible disease. But I found that it was really repetitive at times and found myself skimming a lot to get to a part I felt like I hadn't read yet.
marg408's review against another edition
2.0
This was a great story to read. It was not the best written work, but the facts of the author's life are incredible. She graduated high school and college, all while living in an iron lung. She would not have been able to accomplish all of this without her mother--it was most sad to read about her mother's dementia and deterioration.
amandawoodruff's review against another edition
3.0
Amazingly upbeat book about what most of us would consider heartbreaking tragedy. I think Martha Mason already possessed her gumption and positive attitude as a child, but to see her retain them--and flourish!-- after being stricken with polio was something incredible. Read this during your next pity party.
ryner's review against another edition
3.0
In 1948, at the age of eleven and before the advent of life-saving vaccines, Martha Mason contracted polio. Although she survived the disease itself, it left her a quadriplegic confined to an iron lung, and her parents were advised that she would not live out the year. Martha not only exceeded those discouraging estimates regarding her potential life expectancy, but graduated as valedictorian from high school, earned a college degree, and lived to the astounding age (under the circumstances) of 71. She lived in her iron lung for 61 years, and this is her autobiography.
The experience, or even the idea, of an iron lung is more or less foreign today, so this was a quite fascinating read, as well as a curious peek into a time gone by. NB: As of 2014 there remained 10 people worldwide still living in iron lungs.
The experience, or even the idea, of an iron lung is more or less foreign today, so this was a quite fascinating read, as well as a curious peek into a time gone by. NB: As of 2014 there remained 10 people worldwide still living in iron lungs.
jennseeg's review against another edition
4.0
In this memoir, Martha Mason describes her experiences contracting polio in elementary school and then living the remainder of her life (over sixty years) in an iron lung. Martha was definitely an optimistic person, so sometimes the book felt a little "Pollyanna" to me. Her overly positive attitude is probably what helped her survive so long in such difficult circumstances. In many respects, this book was a heartfelt tribute to Martha's mother. I liked it.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
This was pretty interesting--the story of a woman who lived in an iron lung for decades after having polio as a child. Her mother was her primary caregiver, until she became ill and ultimately ended up with stroke-induced dementia, needing full time care herself. Anyway, she ended up graduating from college, and when voice-activation software became more available, wrote this book.
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