To Hell with All That: Loving and Loathing Our Inner Housewife Audiobook

" The book started out strong with some really interesting research. I agreed with so many of her points, but really felt like she kept missing the mark. I didn't appreciate her attack on Steven Covey and think that she simply doesn't really understand his philosophy. She has a witty writing style and MOST, not all, of the book was enjoyable. I skipped some. I ended up disagreeing with some of her conclusions. She seems to think that the only benefit of a mother staying home with her children is that they will be with the person who loves them the most. I think there is much more to it than that and believe the position of stay-at home mom or at-home parent (as she calls it) deserves. "

" She starts out with a good argument about staying home with the kids, then ruins it all by hiring a nanny. "

" Is it ironic that I listened to this while doing household chores? The author gave me some insights about certain other women, but she really does over-generalize, because the insights didn't apply to me or to other mothers I know. I did like the poignant bit comparing Erma Bombeck to Betty Friedan, though... "

" This book was amazing. I reccomend for for any woman. "

" Okay, but found I didn't have much in common with the author. Uplifting views of motherhood/housekeeping at times, but generally I found this a bit depressing. "

" Flanagan takes a humorous look at whether or not the modern American woman is really any better off than our mothers or grandmothers are. Sure, we have more choices...we can work, we can stay at home, we can work at home...but are we trying to do too much? She wonders why we balk at the thought of doing dishes, but at the same time we're obsessed with Martha Stewart. The quality of these essays vary. Some were five star, others not so much. I think that women like myself (educated, working, middle-class moms in their 30s and 40s) are exactly the demographic she was going for. "

" This was not at all what I thought it was. I thought it would be just amusing essays and thoughts on motherhood. It was a thoughtful look at the conflicts working mothers and at-home mothers face, raising children, being wives, and then a whole lot more. "

" An entertaining discussion of the benefits of being a full time mom. There's also good bit of history regarding the emergence of the working mother. "

" I loved the first half of this book- but once we got past the historical context of the housewife, I got bored. Her personal experiences or observations I didn't find interesting enough to continue reading- so I put down the book and did the laundry. "

" The author spent most of the book saying how gender roles suck, particularly those of females. Then basically finished by saying that she really likes being a mom and wife and wouldn't trade it for anything. Sooooo, to hell with all what exactly? "

" Started very well, she has some interesting and provocative ideas. But then she became just another upper middle class woman talking about her nanny... Boring! As Morrissey once sang, "It says nothing to me about my life." and then something about hanging the DJ.. "

" Excellent book of essays illuminating the past and present and push/pull of womanhood and motherhood. I adored this book. Flanagan is smart, observant, non-judgmental and brings a clarity to these topics that makes me say "wow...she totally nailed it." "

" Most of the time Flanagan is irritating, hypocritical and just plain wrong. But, it's a well-written and often very funny book and it raises some interesting questions about topics ranging from home organization shows on tv to child-centric vacations. "

" This book was funny and touching and clever. It made me feel good about being a housewife. :) "

" This book had many truths. She is an excellent writer, I also enjoy her book reviews in the Atlantic. It was also interesting reading about...a whole other culture...at least that's as close as I can explain. "

" This topic was so interesting to me. I was really intersted in this book from start to finish. Excellent book club book - the endless discussions that would be possible! (Though she does makes a snide book club reference.) "

" There were a few things that really hit me, mostly when Flanagan talks about losing her mother. Made me think about my mother and the choices she made, and the choices I'll be making in the future. Interesting book. "

" Eh. I couldn't figure out what her position was most of the time. I just didn't like this book. She just seemed to go on and on. "

" I wish the author had taken a stance one way or the other. She talks about the great things housewives did and were capable of, then says how they escaped. It was an interesting read. "

" Surprisingly great writing! Informative and relatable. "

" This book had me laughing out loud, then sniffling by the end. I think every mother would enjoy this book, whether they've chosen to stay at home or work. Flanagan is fair to both, as unusual as that is. "

" To all those feminist housewives, waiting to break free, this is one for you. "

" I don't like this book. There is too much loathing and not much loving from the author's perspective. It mades me wonder what's her point in staying in a marriage if the situation is so dire to begin with. A relatively depressing book to me. No recommended. "

" Okay, but found I didn't have much in common with the author. Uplifting views of motherhood/housekeeping at times, but generally I found this a bit depressing. "

" An interesting book about housekeeping and motherhood but I have very little idea as to where the author stood on it all personally "

" "In our culture the wise counselors who instruct young people on the most important ritual of their lives are salesman." I enjoy her contrariness in magazines, and I enjoyed it here, too. A delightful, quick read. "

" If I were smart and a good writer I could write this book. I read the whole thing thinking , "Amen sister!" "

" She lost me in the chapter in which she bemoaned the drudgery of being a stay-at-home mom with a nanny. "