The Shared Wisdom of Mothers and Daughters: The Timelessness of Simple Truths

by Alexandra Stoddard

Overview

In The Shared Wisdom of Mothers and Daughters, the inspirational follow up to the beloved Things I Want My Daughters to Know, lifestyle philosopher Alexandra Stoddard reflects on the lessons she’s learned from her own daughters and offers more words of wisdom in return.

As a mother and grandmother, Stoddard shares some of the most enlightening conversations she’s had with other women and their daughters.  

Filled with enduring and heartfelt stories, Stoddard’s The Shared Wisdom of Mothers and Daughters delivers lessons about love and happiness that have been shared and learned by countless generations of mothers and their daughters.

Alexandra Stoddard’s The Shared Wisdom of Mothers and Daughters: The Timelessness of Simple Truths is a beautiful keepsake that celebrates the deep connections between mothers and daughters.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062116420
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/02/2013
Sold by:	HARPERCOLLINS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	836 KB

About the Author

Author of twenty-four books, Alexandra Stoddard is a sought-after speaker on the art of living. Through her lectures, articles, and books such as Living a Beautiful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know, Time Alive, Grace Notes, Open Your Eyes, and Feeling at Home, she has inspired millions to pursue more fulfilling lives. She lives with her husband in New York City and Stonington Village, Connecticut.

Editorial Reviews

A prolific writer, interior designer, and "lifestyle philosopher", Stoddard (Things Good Mothers Know) offers 24 essays with a "wider and deeper" approach than previous books, focusing on subjects such as appreciating nature, making healthy choices about food and money, understanding the virtues of patience, and exploring the joys of being a mother and grandmother. Having moved from Manhat-tan to Connecticut, Stoddard says she has "gone back to nature," which gives her plenty of writing fodder; she keeps fresh flowers in the house, enjoys the views from her windows, and takes daily walks. Many of her themes focus on living a simple, uncluttered life. In the especially astute chapter "Know What to Look for in a Husband and What to Work Toward in a Marriage," Stoddard observes that a man should be more of a "sensualist" when he's with his wife; bringing technology to the table "…or, worse, to the bedroom" is insulting. Stoddard (who quite contentedly survives without email or driving a car) encourages readers to put down their technology "gadgets" when engaged in social in-teraction and live with grace and discipline. Though platitudes abound, Stoddard spices her gentle ponderings with quotes from the great thinkers she has always admired and studied—from the Buddha to Malcomb Forbes. Agent: Carl Brandt (May)

Publishers Weekly

Alexandra Stoddard's emotional groundedness along with the quotations from a wide selection of literary giants give her latest "living well" book an appealing, timeless foundation. It’s full of practical wisdom that sounds like it has been shared for eons by mothers and daughters throughout the world. A lot of her thoughtfulness appears as pointed advice—”Put your life in order” and “Avoid unnecessary distractions”—and it’s with these passages that narrator Laural Merlington sounds most at home. She’s not stern, but her mature voice and assertive tone alert listeners to pay attention and give some thought to the way they manage things like their health, finances, relationships, and intellectual growth. Her urbane performance is a wonderful vehicle for this satisfying reminder of what is beautiful and important in life. T.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2013 - AudioFile

Alexandra Stoddard's emotional groundedness along with the quotations from a wide selection of literary giants give her latest "living well" book an appealing, timeless foundation. It’s full of practical wisdom that sounds like it has been shared for eons by mothers and daughters throughout the world. A lot of her thoughtfulness appears as pointed advice—”Put your life in order” and “Avoid unnecessary distractions”—and it’s with these passages that narrator Laural Merlington sounds most at home. She’s not stern, but her mature voice and assertive tone alert listeners to pay attention and give some thought to the way they manage things like their health, finances, relationships, and intellectual growth. Her urbane performance is a wonderful vehicle for this satisfying reminder of what is beautiful and important in life. T.W. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

JUNE 2013 - AudioFile

In yet another guide to enjoying the good life, Stoddard (Things Good Mothers Know, 2009, etc.) offers advice on how to grow old gracefully. Based on her own experiences--she and her husband are blessed with good health, comfortable financial circumstances, and successful daughters and grandchildren--she shares the wisdom she has accumulated over the years. The book is full of a series of platitudes--e.g., "As we make steady progress in understanding life's purpose, our lives will become deeply meaningful and fulfilling"; "Look for the cause in every effect"; "Nature teaches us that we are not in control"; "Getting organized is a wonderful accomplishment." She recommends giving back to society through charitable efforts, and she warns against gossiping or dispensing unwanted advice. She also extols the virtues of being debt-free, eating a healthy and environmentally sustainable diet, and savoring the simple pleasures of daily existence. She argues for the benefits of paying for tasks such as gardening and using a taxi service rather than owning a car. Stoddard explains how she and her daughters share life-enriching insights in dealing with thorny problems--e.g., regarding the intrusiveness of technology, her daughters turn off their cellphones during dinner, and the author schedules her time online. She also shares an experience when she and her husband coped with disappointment: After a planned trip to Paris with her daughter's family was canceled at the last moment, she and her husband swallowed their distress and popped off to Paris on their own. An annoying tone of self-congratulation pervades this disappointing collection of commonplace adages.

Kirkus Reviews