A Mind of Her Own: Helen Connor Laird and Family, 1888-1982 (Wisconsin Land and Life) [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

Did Helen Connor Laird have `a mind of her own'? I should say so. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about this fascinating woman's 94 years. She lived from the 1880s to the 1980s first in the shadow of a self-made, strong-willed father, William Duncan Connor, and then with a politically powerful and influential son, Melvin Laird. It would have been easy, logical and almost expected for her to live a life of a doleful supporter hosting garden parties rather than that of a social activists with a mind of her own.

It most interesting how she went about helping, advising and traveling with her lumber-baron father, W. D.. He was a strong and decisive man and not one to tolerate fools, or those who couldn't keep up with him, but Helen Connor Laird could and did. While active in social, educational and civic activities her whole life she never neglected her role or responsibility as a mother. Her famous son, Congressional Representative and later Secretary of Defense, Mel Laird, received no more or less attention or devotion than did the other three sons.

I grew up in the `50s in Wausau, WI which is 45 miles from Marshfield and 90 miles from Laona the two towns central to this story. I was fascinated to read about the political scene in Wisconsin and in particular central Wisconsin during the first thirty years of the 20th century. The Republican party dominated the political landscape. By today's Tea Party standards the Republican party back then looks like a most enlightened, tolerant, and free-thinking party. Helen supported most but not all of her father's and then son's political positions. She was an ardent proponent of finding ways to avoid war, she felt strongly that peace almost always should be our first choice.

I found her interest in religion intriguing. While her husband was educated to become a minister, later in life he found success and satisfaction in the world of business and politics; gaining respect, admiration and fondness of all who knew him. During her time as a minister's wife, Helen, seemed rather indifferent to a religious life and did not seem to take to it. She never abandoned her belief in religion however and along with her quest for a more peaceful earth, I believe she also sought a more just, fair and equitable world and thought religion played a part in helping to achieve that goal.

Did I find this a perfect book? No. I believe it could have undergone more stringent editing. The author seemed to jump around a lot and at times it was confusing as to who she was talking about. I found many of the conversations, letters or statements could have been left out as they seemed to be inserted because she had them, rather than did they advance the story line.

The author, Helen L Laird, could leave no finer tribute to her mother-in-law than this wonderful re-telling of her life and times. It truly was a remarkable life and one worth remembering and emulating.