Melania – A Millennial Jackie Kennedy

As I began to read this book, my first thoughts were of two other autobiographies I have read in the last ten years. One was Queen Noor (the American-born journalist who became the Queen of Jordan in 1978 – 1999) and Sophia Loren. All had sons (though the Queen had two daughters as well). All were women who were very beautiful, international sensations, and went through tough issues as women: controversies, struggles, yet rose to fame and fortune nonetheless. None of them were tactless enough to make their book about gossip, though the Queen did have a lot to say about her son not becoming King (he wasn’t in line, as was culturally acceptable). All had strong opinions but were very grounded and kind and loving.

Continue reading

In Order to Live – Yeonmi Park Book Review

I had only learned of this young woman a week ago. My boyfriend mentioned her name, we looked her up and found lots of scathing reviews from liberal journalists who don’t know the first thing about psychology or survivors of communist countries. As soon as I heard more about the story, I wanted to read it immediately to see for myself. My step/adopt father came to the U.S. in 1956 from Hungary. Post-WWII, after failing as an ally (luckily), their country was communist until 1989. I grew up learning about communism, Russians and fearing this type of lifestyle. I also, myself, wrote a book about 1956, The Uprisers, in which I did an extensive amount of research. And, I am a trauma specialist in my day job.

Continue reading