My Life on the Road

For those familiar with Steinem as a major figure in the feminist movement, it might be easy to forget that she began her career as a writer, not an organizer and public speaker. Her most recent book is an excellent reminder, filled with anecdotes that are moving, humorous, and expertly crafted. Early in the book, Steinem provides intimate glimpses into her early life, with candid but generous portraits of her parents and how they influenced her lifelong travel habit. But even as she shares her unique experiences, her enthusiasm for the stories of others expands the focus beyond Steinem herself, to the stories of taxi drivers and flight attendants, speaking partners, fellow organizers, and everyday Americans encountered on the road. The book at times comes across more like a series of essays than a chronological memoir, but Steinem's writing is clear and strong, and her steady emphasis on the revolutionary possibilities of travel, talking circles, and, above all, listening serves to knit together the various chapters into a cohesive whole that will leave listeners energized, inspired, and enlightened. While it would have been wonderful to have the audio version delivered in Steinem's distinctive voice, Debra Winger is a perfect surrogate, channeling Steinem's nuance and conviction in her own characteristic husky, down-to-earth tones.