My Life on the Road

By: Gloria Steinem

Narrated by: Debra Winger, Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem - writer, activist, organizer, and one of the most inspiring leaders in the world - now tells a story she has never told before, a candid account of how her early years led her to live an on-the-road kind of life, traveling, listening to people, learning, and creating change. She reveals the story of her own growth in tandem with the growth of an ongoing movement for equality. This is the story at the heart of My Life on the Road.

Includes an introduction read by Gloria Steinem.

©2015 Gloria Steinem (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"My Life on the Road is filled with beautifully told stories of the people she has spoken with and listened to, been changed by, helped organize, got radicalized by, could get lost in, could get found in. It is soul material, human and political, funny and touching, deeply spiritual. I began it again the day after I finished." (Anne Lamott)

"My Life on the Road is an inspiring work, a call for action. Steinem shares her life as a global freedom fighter, inviting readers to continue the journey - and the struggle." (Bell Hooks)

“Like Steinem herself, [My Life on the Road] is thoughtful and astonishingly humble. It is also filled with a sense of the momentous while offering deeply personal insights into what shaped her.” (O, The Oprah Magazine)

Interesting and informative

The book journeys through her experiences in family, friendships, activism and more. Her descriptions of everyday encounters with cab drivers and everyday people are just as fascinating as her interactions with famous individuals.

Return to Gloria, Discover Gloria

This really spoke to me as a human being. It reminded me of how important Gloria's writings were to me in my younger days, particularly the Playboy Bunny peice and the whole book on self-esteem. This book is about travel, America, and all of the fringe elements it has to offer. Did you know that Taxi Cab Drivers are
Best at predicting elections? I loved that it included a chapter dedicated to Wilma Mankiller. Texas figures big, too, in some
surprising and not so surprising ways. How did I ever forget about what Gloria Steinem has to say? Well, I didn't. But I'm glad I now realize that.

Fantastic!

I learned so much about Gloria & her involvement with the Feminist & Civil Rights movements. You'll enjoy it even if you're not big on autobiographies or biographies.

Highly recommend.

This is a beautiful book of adventure and growth throughout a life of living for others. The end comes to a beautiful resolution of living for both and finally finding a home that includes a life on the road, which she explains to be more of a mindset than a lifestyle anyways. The performance was clear and lively. I listened at 1.5 speed and that was perfect.

insightful

I found the story insightful as we learn how this engaged organizer finds her passion and footing for various causes as she overcomes her inhibitions for public speaking. I quoted the book to so many friends through the course of reading this riveting book.

I love Gloria Steinem

I could listen to her wisdom all day. That said, I found the text dense and not free flowing and in parts Ms.Winger’s monochromatic tone made it painful. All in all though, it was a worthy listen.

Incredibly written story of an incredible life

I thought I knew who Gloria Steinem was, having lived through the years when she was constantly in the news. But as with most public figures, we only know what we’re told. This book has revealed her multitudes and has change my opinion of the woman, the activist, the organizer, and even the writer. Beautifully constructed, each chapter centers on a theme of sorts, telling stories that are tied to travel yet also interweave the various aspects of her life and career(s) across decades. It’s a fascinating and compelling nonlinear recounting of an extraordinary life that is, somehow, still cohesive and complete.

My one quibble is Debra Winger’s narration. I found her voice to be, oddly, like a poor cousin of Steinem’s own - confusing my ear and irritating me when the occasional word was mispronounced. Where Steinem’s voice is deep and buttery, Winger’s has a nasal-y edge and more gravel to it, but the the cadence of her reading was Steinem’s cadence so I kept putting that voice in Steinem’s mouth. It’s a small complaint in an otherwise incredible experience.

Completely Changed Me

I have been moved and uplifted. Her story, her life have changed me forever. I was raised to think of her as the enemy. A bad person. An NPR interview lead me to purchase the book. I've never been so rapidly opened as I was while reading My Life on the Road.

Such a Good Friend.

What about Debra Winger and Gloria Steinem ’s performance did you like?

I can imagine there were many who would love to take on this project. DW was such an inspired choice, her slightly gravelly voice and access to the humor and deep humanity of GS comes across beautifully. I could almost see her nodding in agreement as she read.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several, her easy friendships with the working women and men she encounters in her travels speaks volumes. I would love to find myself sitting next to her on a long flight.

Any additional comments?

If you are not familiar with Gloria Steinem, here is a good place to start. No matter what your politics may be, her kindness, loyalty, curiosity and unwavering willingness to learn from every experience is clearly a lesson in speaking the truth.

Good one

I have been moved and uplifted. Her story, her life have changed me forever. I was raised to think of her as the enemy. A bad person. An NPR interview lead me to purchase the book. I've never been so rapidly opened as I was while reading My Life on the Road.