Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
On the plus side it was a very quick read (maybe two hours?)
Otherwise ... this was interesting ... but I didn't feel it was that representative of the Chinese American mother parenting style (at least from what I know and have observed of it). Amy Chua isn't just pushing her children to be the best that they can by e.g. not letting them quit (an admirable quality that more parents should try to have) but borderline psychotic in her obsession to have her kids do the best they can. You get the impression that if they let her, she would push push push her kids until they were basically running the world at age 15. And then I'm sure that, having reached the pinnacle of what they could achieve on earth, she would be on some quest to find an alien race for them to best.
The fact that one of her daughters clearly loved music and has told her mother that she ruined it for her is a clear sign she took the pushing far far too far. And yet, despite that she doesn't seem to have let up on her other daughter and has only done so grudgingly with the other because (kuodos to her) said daughter has firmly put her foot down. The whole situation is complete and utter madness.
And what the hell was the father doing all this time? I understand that they agreed she would lead in parenting issues, but at some point did he not think it was time to rescind that agreement and step in?! I found the whole situation extremely bizarre. My kids will definitely not be raised this way! (Although they will be made to speak Mandarin, but their father is a native speaker, unlike Amy Chua!).
Overall it left me with a nasty taste in my mouth. The fact that she pushed her children so far seemed to me evidence that she herself wanted the attention. The fact that she then published a book outlining it all seems to me to only confirm the fact. I'm only pleased that her children are high schoolers and won't have much longer under her control!
I also disliked the writing style - it felt hurried, unedited and like a teenager had just typed up their journal in many sections. I expected more from a professor!
Otherwise ... this was interesting ... but I didn't feel it was that representative of the Chinese American mother parenting style (at least from what I know and have observed of it). Amy Chua isn't just pushing her children to be the best that they can by e.g. not letting them quit (an admirable quality that more parents should try to have) but borderline psychotic in her obsession to have her kids do the best they can. You get the impression that if they let her, she would push push push her kids until they were basically running the world at age 15. And then I'm sure that, having reached the pinnacle of what they could achieve on earth, she would be on some quest to find an alien race for them to best.
The fact that one of her daughters clearly loved music and has told her mother that she ruined it for her is a clear sign she took the pushing far far too far. And yet, despite that she doesn't seem to have let up on her other daughter and has only done so grudgingly with the other because (kuodos to her) said daughter has firmly put her foot down. The whole situation is complete and utter madness.
And what the hell was the father doing all this time? I understand that they agreed she would lead in parenting issues, but at some point did he not think it was time to rescind that agreement and step in?! I found the whole situation extremely bizarre. My kids will definitely not be raised this way! (Although they will be made to speak Mandarin, but their father is a native speaker, unlike Amy Chua!).
Overall it left me with a nasty taste in my mouth. The fact that she pushed her children so far seemed to me evidence that she herself wanted the attention. The fact that she then published a book outlining it all seems to me to only confirm the fact. I'm only pleased that her children are high schoolers and won't have much longer under her control!
I also disliked the writing style - it felt hurried, unedited and like a teenager had just typed up their journal in many sections. I expected more from a professor!
3 3/4 stars
This is not a book all will love. As a lover of non-fiction, and a parent, I can see it for what it is. After all the hype, it is a good non-fiction book. She is not out to tell us that our Western ways are wrong. Even though she mostly discusses the "chinese way" she fully admits that other cultures have similar practices. We are all set in our ways of parenting and I am sure we've all been criticized at one time or another by our peers. We all publicly or privately compare our children to other children. The author openly talks of her faults as a parent and what she has learned from her kids. Would she have made any changes, probably not. Curious to know what how her kids will raise their children. Many of us are more like our parents than we wish to admit sometimes. Good for the author to put herself out there and stick by her thoughts.
This is not a book all will love. As a lover of non-fiction, and a parent, I can see it for what it is. After all the hype, it is a good non-fiction book. She is not out to tell us that our Western ways are wrong. Even though she mostly discusses the "chinese way" she fully admits that other cultures have similar practices. We are all set in our ways of parenting and I am sure we've all been criticized at one time or another by our peers. We all publicly or privately compare our children to other children. The author openly talks of her faults as a parent and what she has learned from her kids. Would she have made any changes, probably not. Curious to know what how her kids will raise their children. Many of us are more like our parents than we wish to admit sometimes. Good for the author to put herself out there and stick by her thoughts.
It was interesting but not hugely. Don’t think it warranted all the controversy and probably not all that relevant now.
Really interesting. Not sure how I feel about the ideas behind the content though.
No content. Great story about how this mother raised her children with very strict parenting! Shows the resilience of her children and the love this mother has for her girls. Heart warming and filled with fun humor both!
For as much hype in the news that this book got, I think it was an honest reflection of one woman's experience as a mother. I liked it.
After reading The Glass Castle for my book club’s March selection I felt the intense need to read a book from the opposite end of the parenting spectrum. I found what I needed ten fold in Amy Chua’s memoir, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother.
To read the rest of my review check it out on Planet Books:
http://planetbooks.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/battle-hymn-of-the-tiger-mother-by-amy-chua/
To read the rest of my review check it out on Planet Books:
http://planetbooks.wordpress.com/2011/03/22/battle-hymn-of-the-tiger-mother-by-amy-chua/
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Touching
I enjoyed learning about an approach to parenting with more questions than answers. I am surprised that so many found it controversial or upsetting. Learning another parent's struggle draws us all closer to understanding our own struggles.
I enjoyed learning about an approach to parenting with more questions than answers. I am surprised that so many found it controversial or upsetting. Learning another parent's struggle draws us all closer to understanding our own struggles.