Spock on Spock

by Benjamin Spock, Mary Morgan

Leather Franklin Library book. First Edition

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

Leather Bound

First published October 21, 1989

About the author

Benjamin McLane Spock was an American pediatrician whose book Baby and Child Care, published in 1946, is one of the biggest best-sellers of all time. Its revolutionary message to mothers was that "you know more than you think you do." Spock was the first pediatrician to study psychoanalysis to try to understand children's needs and family dynamics.

Reviews

[MaryAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a interesting memoir about the famous baby doctor and activist. I always enjoyed talking to my grandparents about their lives growing up and the first third of this book reads like a series of interesting memories and anecdotes. I found them especially interesting as I live near New Haven, CT where Spock grew up and am familiar with many of the places he mentions. The middle third is about his college and young adult years - his marriage to Jane Cheney. Also interesting as it relates the process of the writing of his famous book. And the final third was about his activism. It's great to read about how he used his fame and authority to fight for things such as peace and anti nuclear weapons. Overall a good book - a bit dated but interesting to me as an older generation person. I certainly used the Spock baby book when my children were babies!

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written while in his mid 80’s - here are the words of a privileged white man who was born in 1903 and lived through so much history. Spock didn’t discuss historic events at length, more his personal experiences. So interesting… his thoughts, his memories, his liberal world views. I do find it odd that he didn’t even mention the 1918 pandemic. The last sentence of this memoir was simple, clever, and poignant. This book had belonged to my late mother and when I read it I discovered she had placed braces on passages that particularly struck her. A gift to me.

[Chapter · Rating 3 out of 5]

My mother used Dr. Spock's methods in my up bringing. I was interested to know that Spock's mother used "Care and Feeding Of Children" by L. EMMETT HOLT, M.D., LL.D.

PROFESSOR OF DISEASES OF CHILDREN IN THE COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY)

ATTENDING PHYSICIAN TO THE BABIES' HOSPITAL AND THE FOUNDLING HOSPITAL, NEW YORK

Fourth Edition, Revised and Enlarged

NEW YORK AND LONDON
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY

1907

COPYRIGHT, 1894, 1897, 1903, 1906
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY