An Unexpected Life A Memoir by Gloria Steinem

Before she became one of the most recognized feminist leaders of our time, she was a curious child riding along on road trips with her itinerant father, caring for her mother, and devouring every book she could get her hands on. We suspect many of you will recognize that last part.

In this candid, inspiring memoir, she looks back on the unlikely experiences and pivotal moments that shaped her. A childhood rat bite opened her eyes to the realities of poverty. The 1970 Women’s March honored the right to vote. In between came years living in India, where she learned from the nonviolent movement, and travels around the world advocating for women’s rights.

Along the way, she honors the people who shaped her most. They include trailblazers, writers, and thinkers who deepened her understanding of:

• Power, and who gets to hold it
• Community and solidarity across differences
• Justice, and the long work of building it

Moving between past and present, she examines six decades of activism with clear eyes, including both the progress and the setbacks. Then she looks ahead, urging new generations to imagine bolder, more inclusive paths forward.

It’s intimate, funny, and rich with hard-earned wisdom. Reading it feels a bit like pulling up a chair beside someone who has seen a great deal and still believes, stubbornly and joyfully, in a better future for all.

This new hardcover release is a wonderful pick for readers of biography and memoir, women’s studies, and social history. It would also make a thoughtful gift for the activist, or the curious kid, in your life. Tuck it under your arm for a stroll along the Marginal Way, or linger with it on a salty, windswept afternoon. We’d love to help you find a spot for it on your shelf.

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