Divided Lives

by Elsa Walsh

Book Overview

This work takes an intimate look at the lives of three contemporary women - a television journalist, a conductor and socialite, and a breast surgeon - and the painful conflicts they, and so many other women, face as they try to balance their own needs and the demands of those closest to them.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684804018
• ISBN13: 9780684804019
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.8" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Portrayal

I'm writing this review primarily to refute Milly's poor rating of this book. While I completely agree with her comments about Meredith and Rachel, I feel the author did an excellent job portraying all the women for who they truly are. It is a relief to see that people who seem to have it all really are like the rest of us and struggle with the same issues we do. It is also wonderful to see the different ways these women deal with their issues, whether they do so in a healthy manner or not.This book helped me realize my life isn't so bad and that I do ok dealing with my own issues. Thus, I recommend this to all working women as you are bound to benefit from it in one way or another.

More stories like this are needed

I've read alot of magazines on women in the working world; but, none of them ever step thru the decision making process this well. These are people facing extremely tough challenges, usually alone (or with friends who are not actually in the same "trenches", but are looking at the challenge from afar.)These are brave people, on their own - working thru challenges; How else will i learn about the challenges i have yet to face but through stories like this. I do not learn from tv or movies - nor from newspaper articles or magazines - i do not see these types of stories anywhere. There is room for them and there is a big need for them. Women with daughters should read this; women with a passion for their careers should also; women debating whether or not to have children at a later point in their life should read this.It is written with tolerance for other opinions which so many stories and people today are lacking. It was really enjoyable...

Awesome book

The struggles in this book touched my soul. Perhaps because I'm a journalist, I could totally relate to Meredith Vieira. And even though it has been four years since I've read it, I can still recall vividly the image of her crying at her kitchen table. Balancing work and the roles of wife and mother is a minute-by-minute-challenge for almost every working woman I know! If working women had more time on their hands, this would be a best seller! Buy, borrow, or steal this book....

Compelling and Moving!

I adored this book. The stories of Meredith (of THE VIEW)and others touched my heart in ways I never imagined. I couldn't put it down.. a must read!

A compelling read on the issue of balancing work/family

I thought this was an excellent book and really touched on the issue of balancing work and family. It was fascinating to read the stories of very succesful women who probably appear very self confident about their very successful careers, but who are really struggling. I found it motivating to hear their stories of how they balanced work and family, even though some of it was a bit hard to relate to (i.e. taking a $50,000/year pay cut when you're making $450,000/year!). I found this book to be inspiring and a must read for anyone struggling with these issues.