• Daring

  • My Passages - A Memoir
  • By: Gail Sheehy
  • Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
  • Length: 14 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (43 ratings)

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Daring  By  cover art

Daring

By: Gail Sheehy
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
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Publisher's summary

The author of the classic New York Times best seller Passages returns with her inspiring memoir - a chronicle of her trials and triumphs as a groundbreaking "girl" journalist in the 1960s, to iconic guide for women and men seeking to have it all, to one of the premier political profilers of modern times.

Candid, insightful, and powerful, Daring: My Passages is the story of the unconventional life of a writer who dared - to walk New York City streets with hookers and pimps to expose violent prostitution; to march with civil rights protesters in Northern Ireland as British paratroopers opened fire; to seek out Egypt's president Anwar Sadat when he was targeted for death after making peace with Israel.

Daring is also a beguiling love story of Sheehy's tempestuous romance with and eventual happy marriage to Clay Felker, the charismatic creator of New York magazine. As well, Sheehy recounts her audacious pursuit and intimate portraits of many 20th-century leaders, including Hillary Clinton, Presidents George H. W. and George W. Bush, and the world-altering attraction between Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Sheehy reflects on desire, ambition, and wanting it all - career, love, children, friends, social significance - and lays bare her major life passages: False starts and surprise successes, the shock of failures and inner crises; betrayal in a first marriage; life as a single mother; flings of an ardent, liberated young woman; her adoption of a second daughter from a refugee camp; marriage to the love of her life and their ensuing years of happiness, even in the shadow of illness.

Now stronger than ever, Sheehy speaks from hard-won experience to today's young women. Her fascinating, no-holds-barred story is a testament to guts, resilience, smarts, and daring, and offers a bold perspective on all of life's passages.

©2014 G Merritt Corp. (P)2014 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Daring

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyed unexpectedly

Red as part of a Book Club, as someone who doesn’t usually follow news and politics I didn’t think it would be for me. The narrator was spot on and easy to listen to. The story arc was very interesting tracking from the 60s through the present (or near present) touching on some fascinating events and people in history. I hadn’t heard of Sheehy prior but was intrigued by her ideas and approach to life. It lost a star for me only for the abundance of name dropping which at times brought me out of the moments but I recognize was just part of her life and acknowledging the people who walked in it. Overall I would recommend this book.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

ok if new york publishing world interests you

Any additional comments?

Learn how Ms. Sheehy got her start, her long romance with Clay Felker of New York magazine fame, and her fascinating assignments and book publishing forays. After listening to the book, I felt intellectually satisfied . . . nothing more.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing story by an amazing woman

What made the experience of listening to Daring the most enjoyable?

I read a lot of Sheehy's work in high school and college but never really know about her or her life. She has had such an amazing life--I understand where her inspired writing comes from.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sheehy herself--I am so impressed by how she created such a rich and varied writing career. Her story is inspiring.
Her various "Passages" books are staples in my life.

What does Bernadette Dunne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I really enjoyed listening to her--I could see Sheehy in her voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes because I was so fascinated about Sheehy's life and her career.

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