Salli LeVan

I was quite bothered when, early in the book, McDermott wrote that Tricia and Peter left for the West coast in February, 1963 and arrived in Saigon right after the TET Offensive. The TET Offensive was in 1968 - 5 years later! Many insights, but odd that Tricia’s perceptiveness nevertheless allowed her continued willingness to be dominated, even abused. It wasn’t until the Suzie scandal that she became “hot with anger” at “everyone who considered “my opinion inconsequential.” Her writing about the women of the era, and particularly within the social arena where she lived, was well portrayed, if perhaps a bit exaggerated. I smiled at her “helpmate” description. McDermott’s writing is excellent. Fluid, sophisticated and often poetic, and a joy to read.

Barbara Feigin’s “My American Dream” is 4 interlocking stories: her father’s diary recounting the family’s escape from Nazi Germany, the vicissitudes of fitting into American culture, the battle for a woman to succeed in the corporate world of the 1960s, and the trauma of caring for a husband disabled by strokes. Each story is highly personal and envelopes the reader into Barbara’s world. Her father’s diary is a vivid recounting of the torturous trip through multiple countries to reach the US. Fascinating! As a female executive in the 60s and 70s, I particularly appreciated her sharing her journey through Grey Advertising. Learning about Grey’s breakthrough in marketing - “disrupting the paradigm” and analyzing consumer data to determine different channels of distribution based on differing motivating appeals - has been beneficial to me in my volunteer work. Barbara’s perseverance and ability to juggle successfully diverse responsibilities makes her an impressive role model. Much to learn and much to enjoy in Barbara’s book. I highly recommend it.