Review: My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem

With Martin Luther King Jr. Day just days ago, it seems fitting that my first WordPress-hosted book review is by feminist icon Gloria Steinem.

Who knows the ms. behind the magazine with the same name? A lot of people, apparently. In addition to being a journalist, Steinem’s a world traveler, organizer of events and people, and simply one hardcore lady.

She plays all these roles by listening. Innovative, right?

My Life on the Road isn’t so much Gloria’s story but stories of travel companions, fellow human rights advocates, taxi drivers, and folks from all walks of life, whether that’s Indian women or western college students.

She finds parallels, often using talking circles, to loosely thread the narrative. Talking circles shape much of the story, with lessons spanning from Africa to Europe to Asia and now to America, due in large thanks to Steinem. As Steinem explains, talking circles are a way to listen and promote change, encouraging discourse instead of mere debate.

Sometimes it feels like Steinem talks in circles, instead of providing an expected chronological story.

Because the book spans years and took decades to write, My Life on the Road‘s organization can be confusing, especially since the first chapter acts as an ode to her traveling salesman father, who hopelessly wandered, made friends everywhere, and ended a nomadic life alone.

After this reflective introduction, Steinem meanders, all while highlighting trips to India, listing strange taxi cab conversations via bullet points, and dropping tons of names. She attended MLKJ’s famous speech. She tried covering Bobby Kennedy for a piece. And one of her best friends? Alice Walker. It’s all very Forrest Gump.

Yet unlike dear ol’ Forrest, Forrest Gump, Steinem’s story feels more intentional. Though she initially feared public speaking, Steinem used her new-found talents for listening, combined with her journalistic skills, to become one epic organizer and campaigner. She stood up for women’s rights and was one of the first people to link racism and sexism, promoting inclusiveness to folks from all classes, genders, races, and abilities. Yet she was dubbed “the pretty one” by both strangers and associates.

While it’s nice to look good, it’s even better to do good.

Occasionally, instead of taking a stance, she apologizes, which feels odd. For example, when Hillary Clinton first considered running for presidency, Steinem was uncertain whether to back her. Thus begins an infinite aside. I get it, opinions change. But her talk of buttons interrupts the greater themes of compassion and change, speaking up and listening.

I rate My Life on the Road 4 stars. As a memoir, it’s not quite finished. But it’s an ode to progress that’s both personal and political. Steinem’s graciousness compelled me to keep reading and think critically about my goals, as a woman, writer, and traveler. Thank you for listening, Gloria. And readers, thank you for being here.

What did you think of My Life on the Road? What should I read next?