Forgetting to Be Afraid: A Memoir
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Forgetting to Be Afraid: A Memoir Hardcover – September 9, 2014
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“It’s very good… an important contribution not only to understanding Wendy Davis but to where we are right now.” –Rachel Maddow
“I’m a Republican…but I can still love the book and be moved by an inspirational story.” –Joe Scarborough
“The memoir by the Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate, Forgetting to be Afraid, includes more eyebrow-raising passages than most political memoirs allow….Real in a way that eclipses politics. For a few pages, Davis strips the abortion issue of its political trappings and focus-grouped talking points. She removes it from the realm of bumper stickers and legislative floor debates….We see it for what it is, with all its nuance. And we see it for what it is not - simple.” – The Houston Chronicle
“In a new memoir …Ms. Davis has reinforced the wisdom of letting women sort out their medical options. Sort out independently.” – The New York Times
“Texas gubernatorial candidate Davis delivers a political biography that is better—in part because it’s better written, in part because it’s more heartfelt—than most books of its kind….She’s good at writing, too, and her closing account of that famed filibuster is a dramatic, textbook case of how to play hardball. Doubtless we’ll be hearing more from Davis. This modest memoir makes it clear why even her opponents should pay attention to her.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Tremendously proud of Wendy Davis for telling her story - and fighting on behalf of Texas women every day.” – Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
“I’m a Republican…but I can still love the book and be moved by an inspirational story.” –Joe Scarborough
“The memoir by the Democratic Texas gubernatorial candidate, Forgetting to be Afraid, includes more eyebrow-raising passages than most political memoirs allow….Real in a way that eclipses politics. For a few pages, Davis strips the abortion issue of its political trappings and focus-grouped talking points. She removes it from the realm of bumper stickers and legislative floor debates….We see it for what it is, with all its nuance. And we see it for what it is not - simple.” – The Houston Chronicle
“In a new memoir …Ms. Davis has reinforced the wisdom of letting women sort out their medical options. Sort out independently.” – The New York Times
“Texas gubernatorial candidate Davis delivers a political biography that is better—in part because it’s better written, in part because it’s more heartfelt—than most books of its kind….She’s good at writing, too, and her closing account of that famed filibuster is a dramatic, textbook case of how to play hardball. Doubtless we’ll be hearing more from Davis. This modest memoir makes it clear why even her opponents should pay attention to her.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Tremendously proud of Wendy Davis for telling her story - and fighting on behalf of Texas women every day.” – Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
About the Author
Wendy Davis is the Democratic candidate for governor in Texas. She represents Fort Worth and surrounding cities in the Texas senate and previously served on the Fort Worth City Council. In June 2013 she held an historic filibuster to block legislation that would create harsh abortion restrictions on Texas women.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 40 people found the following review helpful
By
Robin Orlowski
on September 9, 2014
Format: Hardcover
2 Comments
Sending feedback...
I admit I had not initially been a Davis fan. Merely talking for hours on end against a bill is something an elected official does as part of that job It does not auto-make a good Texas Governor. I was worried we were getting another 'media star' elected official who looked great on camera--but would not be tough enough when the publicity went away. However limited, the Texas Governor does have some power. Davis's life story demonstrates she does have experience with difficult circumstances and situations.
I dislike and don't read through a lot of campaign memoirs because they are 'light' lest they scare away undecideds. The entire point of releasing these books is to win voters and the most votes! But there's no chance of that here, Davis not only tells us about her two abortions performed on non-viable fetuses. She also shares that her mother--lacking access to adequate social service support had attempted to kill her and her siblings in the garage after their father walked out on them. Only a neighbor's timely intervention prevented tragc end. Being able to remember and share all of this really made me admire and respect her. She's had a rough life herself.
But I think that this memoir...etc should have been released earlier. Prior to this point, she had been talking about other things. She had not been talking about what MADE her speak. or WHY she is a fighter. This is what voters want to hear. And I worry that it's too late to just start trying to figure this out now.
I dislike and don't read through a lot of campaign memoirs because they are 'light' lest they scare away undecideds. The entire point of releasing these books is to win voters and the most votes! But there's no chance of that here, Davis not only tells us about her two abortions performed on non-viable fetuses. She also shares that her mother--lacking access to adequate social service support had attempted to kill her and her siblings in the garage after their father walked out on them. Only a neighbor's timely intervention prevented tragc end. Being able to remember and share all of this really made me admire and respect her. She's had a rough life herself.
But I think that this memoir...etc should have been released earlier. Prior to this point, she had been talking about other things. She had not been talking about what MADE her speak. or WHY she is a fighter. This is what voters want to hear. And I worry that it's too late to just start trying to figure this out now.
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18 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By
Don
on September 10, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
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IMy heading was taken straight from Wendy Davis' blockbuster Memoir. Eleanor Roosevelt wrote those words and they are on top of Chapter 12. Her husband FDR is famous for the words, "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." Wendy Davis fuses those two ideas to develop the narrative for a memoir that is the most powerful I've have read.
This book reveals the most intimate details of the life a woman who is currently a candidate for Governor of Texas. She tells with absolute honesty the path that she
took to get to the State Senate and then become a candidate. She is the most unlikely person to be in this position considering the narrative of her life growing up
so poor and with such obstacles.
She almost didn't make it because her mother was divorced, poor and depressed and was just about to kill herself and her 3 childre. An Angel appeared and saved her life.
She is the most gutsy woman to be a candidate for office when she reveals her whole life story. From my perspective, she is
being totally transparent and unafraid to put herself forward.
The chaos and pathos in her life did not stop her from achieving intellectually and growing emotionally.
Just as I used to have my students read "Healing Hands" by Dr. Ben Carson, I would suggest every teacher make this mandatory reading for youngster, both male and female.
Buy one book for you and one for a youngster. !!!!!!!!!
This book reveals the most intimate details of the life a woman who is currently a candidate for Governor of Texas. She tells with absolute honesty the path that she
took to get to the State Senate and then become a candidate. She is the most unlikely person to be in this position considering the narrative of her life growing up
so poor and with such obstacles.
She almost didn't make it because her mother was divorced, poor and depressed and was just about to kill herself and her 3 childre. An Angel appeared and saved her life.
She is the most gutsy woman to be a candidate for office when she reveals her whole life story. From my perspective, she is
being totally transparent and unafraid to put herself forward.
The chaos and pathos in her life did not stop her from achieving intellectually and growing emotionally.
Just as I used to have my students read "Healing Hands" by Dr. Ben Carson, I would suggest every teacher make this mandatory reading for youngster, both male and female.
Buy one book for you and one for a youngster. !!!!!!!!!
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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By
digipho
on September 10, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
1 Comment
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I WANT HER FOR PRESIDENT! Very few books on politicians interest me ... including Hillary Clinton's book. This book was a joy to read ... not because of all the hardships she endured ... but because of how she did not let those hardships make her mean and spiteful, but caring and giving. Too many politicians feel their hardships gives them some kind of privilege and life owes them. How you treat people after hardship tells all you need to know a person's soul. You rock, Wendy. Texas needs you ... the nation needs you.
Another book you should read is Elizabeth Warren's "A Fighting Chance." In many ways their lives are mirror images. Two women who's hardships made them better human beings.
Another book you should read is Elizabeth Warren's "A Fighting Chance." In many ways their lives are mirror images. Two women who's hardships made them better human beings.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By
Rebecca, Reader Not Reviewer
on September 24, 2014
Format: Hardcover
Comment
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We all have a story to tell, but we often don't have the platform from which to tell it, or the ability to tell it as well as Senator Davis does.
The book is very well written and paced. Her childhood was, for much of the time, challenging, and it didn't ease up when she married the wrong man and had a baby at the age of 19. Like many young women who are forced to take care of their siblings when dad's not around and mom's working long hours to put food in their mouths, Wendy sought her escape that situation and ended up living in a trailer park, counting pennies. She does a remarkable job of detailing the dynamics between her parents, and it is obvious that her mother was seriously depressed. But she also said that her mother put meals on the table on a regular basis and kept their home and clothes clean, and that's a very difficult thing to do when living with the deep depression Wendy described in her mother. Her mother really was a resilient woman, yet Wendy gives most of her credit for who and what she is to her philandering father. Admittedly, he was a great father when he was around, quite intelligent and engaged and responsible, except when he was pursuing his dream of theater and leaving his family in the lurch financially and emotionally. Bottom line: Wendy suffered a lot of insecurity growing up.
At age 19, poor, and with a baby and a rocky marriage, her dreams of medical school were kaput. But she did enroll in a community college and went on to get her four-year degree. She married an attorney, Jeff, who was 14 years older than she, had a child with him, got accepted into Harvard Law School, and commuted from Boston to Texas regularly to be with her family.Read more ›
The book is very well written and paced. Her childhood was, for much of the time, challenging, and it didn't ease up when she married the wrong man and had a baby at the age of 19. Like many young women who are forced to take care of their siblings when dad's not around and mom's working long hours to put food in their mouths, Wendy sought her escape that situation and ended up living in a trailer park, counting pennies. She does a remarkable job of detailing the dynamics between her parents, and it is obvious that her mother was seriously depressed. But she also said that her mother put meals on the table on a regular basis and kept their home and clothes clean, and that's a very difficult thing to do when living with the deep depression Wendy described in her mother. Her mother really was a resilient woman, yet Wendy gives most of her credit for who and what she is to her philandering father. Admittedly, he was a great father when he was around, quite intelligent and engaged and responsible, except when he was pursuing his dream of theater and leaving his family in the lurch financially and emotionally. Bottom line: Wendy suffered a lot of insecurity growing up.
At age 19, poor, and with a baby and a rocky marriage, her dreams of medical school were kaput. But she did enroll in a community college and went on to get her four-year degree. She married an attorney, Jeff, who was 14 years older than she, had a child with him, got accepted into Harvard Law School, and commuted from Boston to Texas regularly to be with her family.Read more ›
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