Book Review "My Life on the Road"

"My Life on the Road Book Review"

Gloria Steinem is a name that appears on the top list of anyone writing about the leading feminists in America. She is an iconic woman who decided to put her views on paper. Her fight for the oppressed women started in a different yet unique way. In her book, “My life on the Road” Steinem tells her story. She chooses an adventurous journey on the road to gather stories and reach out to special groups such as youths and women. The autobiographical story is a strong implication of how her ability to listen has helped her help the most vulnerable groups in the society.

Readings this book I have discovered that the most captivating aspect of the book is the fact it covers several decades and waves of feminism throughout Steinem’s life. Such features make it an interesting piece to read and identify with great women characters across history. I could not fail to see that the author opens her story with her early childhood during the 1930s where her father drove the family across the U.S. keeping her from school. She adopted the traveling spirit that expounded her coverage scope beyond America. Her active participation in political campaigns and groups have also played a significant role in keeping her proactive. The book shows that Gloria began her speeches in college in the early times of the Vietnam War. She helped students to reveal problems and possibilities and also acted as an agent of ideas from one school to the next. In one of her quotes, she says that “Power can be taken, but not given. The process of the taking is empowerment in itself” . Her involvement in politics gained momentum when she started to collaborate with inspiring advocates and fighters for women rights. For instance, she was an integral co-founder of the organization, the Nation Women’s Political Caucus (NWPC) that helps women rising in politics. In the year 2008, Gloria stood resolute to campaign for Hilary Clinton. She has also worked alongside her late friend Wilma Mankiller who is the first woman chief of the Cherokee nation. Wilma had a dream of restoring cultures and economic independence among women. The two worked together and took charge of changing the society by establishing School for Organizers to pass information about activism.

The book serves as a life changing script that interests and inspires every reader that comes across the wise writings from such a great author. I personally was moved by how the piece includes both white and black people as characters, Americans, and non-Americans and therefore, it becomes more relatable to every audience. My feelings as a man were special when I read the book. I could not fail to note that, the author reveals much about feminism. She impacted me differently as an individual changing me for the better. Reading the book has given me a novel outlook and raised my interests on the issue of feminism. For instance, Gloria quotes that, “ no man can call himself liberal, or radical,...if his work depends in any way on the unpaid or underpaid labor of women…” she sends a challenge to men outside in the world, and as one of them I felt challenged to become a better verson of myself and embrace equality of gender. Completing Gloria’s book has given me new energy to love and embrace traveling. It is through traveling that Steinem meets another world, encounters new cultures and learns to embrace the difference that arises from human nature. From such unlikely setting, she develops a life-changing story that impacts many lives.

Overall, “My life on the Road” is both an informative and inspiring book. It is an expression of the drive and passion for one character to bringing change in the society. It targets audience of all ages seeing that Steinem began her advocacy journey during her unconventional childhood years. She was relevant then, and today, she still lives to influence others. The text encourages that people should use their extraordinary situations to make the world a better place for everyone.