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Rose Rosetree's Reviews > Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir of Friendship
Dinners With Ruth: A Memoir of Friendship
by
by
Nina Totenberg has written -- and audioperformed -- one of the best memoirs I've ever read.
Granted, I could have written my entire review in praise of the amazing anecdotes.
* Or in praise of the double-tracked leadership of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the beloved reporter for National Public Radio.
* Or I could have expressed so much gratitude for the essential role that Nina Totenberg played in coaxing Anita Hill to risk so much, in order to seek justice for the sexual harrasser -- and increasingly evil man -- Clarence Thomas. (In weeks to come, I may have some pertinent comments from my blog, ideas not yet published there., so they can't yet be published here either.)
* Alternatively, as a committed feminist, I could have shared so many reasons to be grateful for learning about both women, how Nina and Ruth have done so much to help all American women exercise the rights of full human beings, not longer to unthinkingly be minimized as little wives, or aspiring wives, without anything approaching equal pay compared to men, or fair career opportunitiesetc.
* Or as a fellow Jewish American, although not observant like Nina or Ruth, aaah! I could have described how, in a soulful way, I feel that it takes a Jewish woman to recognize the lived spiritual experience of those two other Jewish woman. Making me send them both the Jewish version of namaste. I behold the mensch in you!
BUT INSTEAD THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO COMMENT ON NINA'S UNIQUE VOICE As A MEMOIRIST
How natural Nina always sounds on the radio. Equally natural is her writer's voice, yet the more you contemplate what has been involved technically, the more brilliantly her writing shines.
The Totenberg voice is conversational, never writerly. It's as though she's always talking to good friends. And yet the brilliantly sequenced pace of each anecdote here, the choice of everyday details made so humanly vivid, and Nina's pitch perfect appeal to my heart -- these are not casual, any more than they are accidental.
Besides, it's worth noting this:
NINA MAY WELL HAVE BEEN JUST AS FAMOUS AS RUTH, AT LEAST UNTIL JUSTICE'S LAST YEARS
"The Notorious RGB" loved the limelight in her last years, even while she bravely endured physical pain and political scapegoating.
Yet I don't think it's exactly true that Nina T. wasn't equally famous. Although Nina didn't issue immortal opinions from the bench of the Supreme Court, er radio voice has been in my home for decades. Every time, as soon as I hear her byline, I smile in anticipation, as though she were my friend too.
I suspect that her virtuoso violinist of a father, Roman Totenberg. trained her well. From what Nina mentioned about him, he wore his fame lightly too. Both father and daughter became A-listers in their professions, living scandal free for decades.
It wasn't just the training from her father, though. Nina's personal choices, her vulnerabilities, and inner beauty... shine through as uniquely her own.
Likewise, Nina's mother has also been a humble sort, I gather. Imagine being able to write First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, asking for help for her daughter's career. And then receiving that help!
BUT WHAT'S THE BIGGEST SECRET OF NINA TOTENBERG'S HUMILITY, HER GRACE UNDER SPOTLIGHT?
That may well be what a wonderful appreciator she is. Appreciating just about everyone! Nina's heartwarming, natural, appreciation of people shinest through every portrait in this memoir. And that's saying something, since this book is crammed with down-to-earth inspiration about very real people.
Statistically it isn't possible for all of us to have the writing talent of a Nina Totenberg, or her fame karma, but each of us can emulate her willingness to learn about people... and to like them.
Finally, below is my initial review of "Dinners with Ruth." Also, I did a teensy bit of commenting here on Goodreads as I read.
The famed legal correspondent for NPR, Nina Totenberg, shares the heart-warming story of her long-time friendship with Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
This audiobook, narrated by the author, promises to include many inspiring stories.
Granted, I could have written my entire review in praise of the amazing anecdotes.
* Or in praise of the double-tracked leadership of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the beloved reporter for National Public Radio.
* Or I could have expressed so much gratitude for the essential role that Nina Totenberg played in coaxing Anita Hill to risk so much, in order to seek justice for the sexual harrasser -- and increasingly evil man -- Clarence Thomas. (In weeks to come, I may have some pertinent comments from my blog, ideas not yet published there., so they can't yet be published here either.)
* Alternatively, as a committed feminist, I could have shared so many reasons to be grateful for learning about both women, how Nina and Ruth have done so much to help all American women exercise the rights of full human beings, not longer to unthinkingly be minimized as little wives, or aspiring wives, without anything approaching equal pay compared to men, or fair career opportunitiesetc.
* Or as a fellow Jewish American, although not observant like Nina or Ruth, aaah! I could have described how, in a soulful way, I feel that it takes a Jewish woman to recognize the lived spiritual experience of those two other Jewish woman. Making me send them both the Jewish version of namaste. I behold the mensch in you!
BUT INSTEAD THIS REVIEW IS GOING TO COMMENT ON NINA'S UNIQUE VOICE As A MEMOIRIST
How natural Nina always sounds on the radio. Equally natural is her writer's voice, yet the more you contemplate what has been involved technically, the more brilliantly her writing shines.
The Totenberg voice is conversational, never writerly. It's as though she's always talking to good friends. And yet the brilliantly sequenced pace of each anecdote here, the choice of everyday details made so humanly vivid, and Nina's pitch perfect appeal to my heart -- these are not casual, any more than they are accidental.
Besides, it's worth noting this:
NINA MAY WELL HAVE BEEN JUST AS FAMOUS AS RUTH, AT LEAST UNTIL JUSTICE'S LAST YEARS
"The Notorious RGB" loved the limelight in her last years, even while she bravely endured physical pain and political scapegoating.
Yet I don't think it's exactly true that Nina T. wasn't equally famous. Although Nina didn't issue immortal opinions from the bench of the Supreme Court, er radio voice has been in my home for decades. Every time, as soon as I hear her byline, I smile in anticipation, as though she were my friend too.
I suspect that her virtuoso violinist of a father, Roman Totenberg. trained her well. From what Nina mentioned about him, he wore his fame lightly too. Both father and daughter became A-listers in their professions, living scandal free for decades.
It wasn't just the training from her father, though. Nina's personal choices, her vulnerabilities, and inner beauty... shine through as uniquely her own.
Likewise, Nina's mother has also been a humble sort, I gather. Imagine being able to write First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, asking for help for her daughter's career. And then receiving that help!
BUT WHAT'S THE BIGGEST SECRET OF NINA TOTENBERG'S HUMILITY, HER GRACE UNDER SPOTLIGHT?
That may well be what a wonderful appreciator she is. Appreciating just about everyone! Nina's heartwarming, natural, appreciation of people shinest through every portrait in this memoir. And that's saying something, since this book is crammed with down-to-earth inspiration about very real people.
Statistically it isn't possible for all of us to have the writing talent of a Nina Totenberg, or her fame karma, but each of us can emulate her willingness to learn about people... and to like them.
Finally, below is my initial review of "Dinners with Ruth." Also, I did a teensy bit of commenting here on Goodreads as I read.
The famed legal correspondent for NPR, Nina Totenberg, shares the heart-warming story of her long-time friendship with Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
This audiobook, narrated by the author, promises to include many inspiring stories.
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Reading Progress
June 25, 2024
–
Started Reading
June 25, 2024
– Shelved
June 25, 2024
– Shelved as:
biography
June 25, 2024
– Shelved as:
memoir
June 27, 2024
–
5.0%
"Both Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Nina Totenberg were in the first wave of women working in their respective fields.
I was so impressed to hear their stories told factually, without rancor."
I was so impressed to hear their stories told factually, without rancor."
June 27, 2024
–
5.0%
"To this day, and maybe forever, there are ways of "Putting women in their place" and also resistance to new ideas that have validity.
Those of us who aim to make a difference must persevere."
Those of us who aim to make a difference must persevere."
June 28, 2024
–
6.0%
"Fascinating and inspiring, how Nina met Ruth.
Fascinating and appalling, how few rights American women had -- either legally or socially -- during the 1970s,
"
Fascinating and appalling, how few rights American women had -- either legally or socially -- during the 1970s,
"
June 28, 2024
–
6.0%
"On reflection, I think that Nina tactfully downplayed how sartorial awareness contributed to success at trailblazing for her and for Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Just as many personal preferences have political implications (whether folks prefer to think that way or not)... so too, "Dress for Success" is a way to win respect professionally."
Just as many personal preferences have political implications (whether folks prefer to think that way or not)... so too, "Dress for Success" is a way to win respect professionally."
June 28, 2024
–
6.0%
"Now, as in the 1970s, women receive so many messages from the fashion industry, as if our main job is to appear alluring and trendy.
Yet that isn't true, not unless one's career aspirations are to be a professional escort -- or similar."
Yet that isn't true, not unless one's career aspirations are to be a professional escort -- or similar."
June 28, 2024
–
6.0%
"One service I offer to Energy Spirituality® client involves doing consciousness lifestyle research, helping a client like Sam to choose a new attorney or physician, etc.
On the day of the session, Sam will email me front-facing photos of each professional on his short list."
On the day of the session, Sam will email me front-facing photos of each professional on his short list."
June 28, 2024
–
6.0%
"[Continued]
By reading auras (specifically certain chakra databanks) I can provide insight into how well that "professional" is now paying attention to reality.
Facilitating this kind of research, I have repeatedly been shocked at the publicity photos of attorneys, accountants, etc. Their clothing sometimes suggests they're signing up for a dating service."
By reading auras (specifically certain chakra databanks) I can provide insight into how well that "professional" is now paying attention to reality.
Facilitating this kind of research, I have repeatedly been shocked at the publicity photos of attorneys, accountants, etc. Their clothing sometimes suggests they're signing up for a dating service."
July 2, 2024
–
30.0%
"How I am loving this book.
In particular, the section on Anita Hill -- whom Nina was the first to interview -- riveted me. It was so moving, her assessment of whether, given the hatred directed toward her, breaking that story was worth it."
In particular, the section on Anita Hill -- whom Nina was the first to interview -- riveted me. It was so moving, her assessment of whether, given the hatred directed toward her, breaking that story was worth it."
July 2, 2024
–
30.0%
"Among the consequences that Nina, in her measured way, cited as making all she endured worthwhile...
Was when Nina spoke of how many women endured sexual harrassment in the workplace, especially how each one thought "I am the only one this is happening to."
Nina said quietely, narrating the audiobook, that eventually she realized that one of those women was she."
Was when Nina spoke of how many women endured sexual harrassment in the workplace, especially how each one thought "I am the only one this is happening to."
Nina said quietely, narrating the audiobook, that eventually she realized that one of those women was she."
July 3, 2024
–
35.0%
"One thinks of Supreme Court Justices as smart. (At least until the Conservative majority started acting like political operatives, rather than American judges.)
But wow, did the first women on the Supreme Court have to put up with a lot of nonsense!"
But wow, did the first women on the Supreme Court have to put up with a lot of nonsense!"
July 3, 2024
–
35.0%
"The first two female justices on the Supreme Court were Sandra Day O'Connor and, after many years, she was joined by Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Can you think of two women more different in just about everything but their sex parts?
So how come the justices would call Sandra "Ruth" and vice-versa. For years!"
Can you think of two women more different in just about everything but their sex parts?
So how come the justices would call Sandra "Ruth" and vice-versa. For years!"
July 3, 2024
–
35.0%
"Also, when only one woman was on the court, what she said would be ignored as the men of the Supreme Court were talking together.
She -- and whatever she said -- would be totally ignored. Minutes later, one of the men would say pretty much the same thing. The male Justices would compliment him on what an important point he'd just made."
She -- and whatever she said -- would be totally ignored. Minutes later, one of the men would say pretty much the same thing. The male Justices would compliment him on what an important point he'd just made."
July 3, 2024
–
36.0%
"Another pattern regarding male justices on the Supreme Court.
Yes, when only one woman was on the court, men would talk over her. Ignoring what she said.
But as soon as there were two or more women, the male justices would somehow be able to hear her.
Geesh!"
Yes, when only one woman was on the court, men would talk over her. Ignoring what she said.
But as soon as there were two or more women, the male justices would somehow be able to hear her.
Geesh!"
July 4, 2024
–
60.0%
"So touching was the detailed description by Nina of her second wedding. I fell in like... with every single person she wrote about."
July 8, 2024
–
80.0%
"One moving, unforgettable story after another.
I won't try to do justice to them all, Nina Totenberg is a superb writer."
I won't try to do justice to them all, Nina Totenberg is a superb writer."
July 10, 2024
–
90.0%
"Learning about the significance of the date of Ruth's death, I teared up extra."
July 12, 2024
– Shelved as:
growth
July 12, 2024
– Shelved as:
history
July 12, 2024
– Shelved as:
highest-praise
July 12, 2024
–
Finished Reading
