Tapestries of Life: Women's Work, Women's Consciousness, and the Meaning of Daily Experience

Aptheker's book serves as a concise introduction to women's studies and as an interesting read. The thing I admire most is her willingness to incorporate other women writer's work within her book -- to let women speak for themselves. She weaves their unique voices into her "Tapestries" and I think the product gives and accurate and powerful look into the meaning of the storytelling, daily life, extraordinary struggles, sexuality, and cross-cultural connections of women. She writes in a way that is equally logical and spiritual. This book will not only move you, it will make you think about all the women in your life.

As a student and African American woman, I found the work of Aptheker amazing fitting to my experiences as a woman in American society. From the beginning of her work, she focuses on changing the way we think and see ourselves as women, all to often we have become so engross by the stereoypes of being a woman that instead of dispeling them, we only reinforce their negativety. This book was remarkably balanced and covered all aspects and roles of women lives sex, race, images, status, the mother, activist and artist. I would recommend this book to those who want to change the way they interact with not only others but ourselves. Within all of our communities, the women build a tapestry and there we find our culture, heritage, morals, heroes and strength. In the genuis of Bettina Aptheker these images our brought to life. She brings value to the dailiness of women, a mother who becomes the educator, provides food, moral, stablity, is lifted up to the status she deserves. The most powerful element of her work, was the respect she paid to race. Race is and will always be a major factor within American society, by taking a critical look at the experiences of women of difference races we are able to see there commonalties. You will not regret purchasing this book.