Barry S. Graubart

A Memoir That Strains Credulity

Revisado: 05-17-24

After hearing the author, Nancy Fench, interviewed, I had high hopes for this book.
I’m probably not her target audience - I’m a left-leaning atheist, but I am interested in understand g how those with a different background or would view see things.
and the first few chapters were fine, as the author walks us through her upbringing and challenges in fitting in within her family and church.
As she moves forward, though, the story becomes less believable and filled with stereotypes. She shares her story of attending NYU and being ostracized by her entire classmates for being married young and being conservative. Yeah - her views are certainly different than the typical NYU undergrad, but the examples of the treatment she claims to have gotten just don’t ring true.
But, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and continued. She then has a chapter called the Prophet, which strains credulity
She then talks of giving birth in the college town of Ithaca, NY, and again describes an unrealistic stereotype of a liberal community.
I gave up halfway through the book. And it finally struck me. Nancy French spent her career as a ghostwriter for Republican politicians. She has spent her career inflating right wing beJeff’s and writing hyperbolic narratives stereotyping the left. And that’s exactly what she has done in her own memoir - creating a fictional narrative to support her worldviews.
Don’t waste your time.

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Great opening and close

Revisado: 01-02-24

The opening chapter, focused on the life and activism of Harry Belafonte, is alone worth the price of admission.
The core story, following the ghost of Ashli Babbitt, is fascinating, but wanders and meanders at times. But even then, it’s insightful, especially for those of us who struggle to understand how folks can believe obvious conspiracy theories.

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Great exploration of an important topic

Revisado: 12-18-22

The author did a very good job of laying out the background of Christian Nationalism and how it connects to events if the past few years. She also effectively explains some of the techniques used to groom people into the Christian Nationalist agenda.
I think the last sections, where she views it from a paychological standpoint (jet background) and talks of how to engage those extremists is a bit weaker.
But good overall.

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Great to dig past the bumper sticker versions of her positions

Revisado: 03-15-19

During this election Inintend to read or listen to memoirs of the major candidates. Issues like criminal justice reform are too nuanced to be handled in a tweet. Kamala Harris shares what shaped her, why she has taken various positions and what she sees as the major challenges confronting America.
I recommend anyone planning to vote in the Presidential primaries give it a read and learn for themselves.

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