Product Description
"Alone in a house, I piece together strands of life stories as if I were an archaeologist, the home a midden...I don't read diaries, I read clues."After earning an M.A. in Comparative Literature, Louise Rafkin, facing a career choice, took the road less traveled.She became a housecleaner.The money was better than teaching, the lifestyle intriguing for someone with an insatiable curiosity about her fellow human beings. And while she quickly became an expert on the best vacuum cleaner in the world--and the most efficient paper towels--she also saw the unseen parts of people's lives.

In this fresh, funny, strikingly original memoir, she talks about her invisible status as a domestic worker in a world of illicit sex and secret livees, of closet alcoholics and binge eaters, unlikely spiritualists and revealing celebrities.

In Other People's Dirt, Louise Rafkin reveals something about our values, our society, and ourselves. And, from the detritus of our lives, she gives us something at once delightfully entertaining and profound.

"Rafkin is a wonderful storyteller." --The Wall Street Journal

"Rafkin delivers the dirt on cleaning with investigative zeal and remarkable depth. A!" --Entertainment Weekly

"A wonderfully odd-ball memoir...Rafkin delights in the absurdities of her profession and has a keen eye for the peculiarities of human behavior." --The San Francisco ChronicleAmazon.com Review
Housecleaner extraordinaire Louise Rafkin reads her own workas efficiently as she cleans bathtubs and snoops through the letterpile. Rafkin's voice is pleasantly modulated and well suited to herdry humor in Other People's Dirt, a parallel tale of hercleaning habits and socio-spiritual explorations. Vacuum-cleaner soundeffects demarcate chapters in this nearly unabridged version, whosebrief chapters are punchy and well suited to audio. (Running time:three hours, two cassettes) --Barrie Trinkle ... Read more

Customer Reviews (52)

The author's attitude ruins this book
I purchased this book thinking it was going to be quirky and fun, she'd dish about the housekeeping industry and give insight into what it's really like to clean other people's houses. I expected the good, the bad, and the dirt.

Boy, was I disappointed.

I found the author to the shallow, self-loathing and well, downright rude at times. There isn't a thing wrong with scrubbing a toilet or mopping a floor - I've done it myself many times, but she seems to feel that because she knows the proper way to scour a shower, she's above you. She goes off on these tangents that have nothing to do with her subject matter and everything to do with making sure you, the reader, dislike her.

To save you the $10 (probably $0.99 at the bargain table, I'd hope), here's the gist of it - the author decides she's board and above academics so instead of using her degree, she decides to be a house cleaner. She sometimes doesn't clean (like when it's a clean house already and she reads a magazine while letting the vacuum cleaner hum - this was, by the way, what I expected to see more). She apparently also has sex and eats the food of her clients (yeah, that makes me want to run right out and get another housekeeper). She dislikes the big name maid companies (can't blame her there, that's why I try to hire a single-run company, although I may never hire someone again. Ever.) She visits some other housekeepers who have dirt, but no one ever seems to dish it, the author included. The end.

Yeah, not exactly what I was expecting either. I came away disliking this woman. A lot. Getting it on with your boyfriend in someone else's house where you are paid to be there just seems so lowlife, not to mention dipping into the fridge without asking (again, I probably wouldn't care, but it's not the point).

As someone that has hired house cleaners in the past and hopes to in the future, this book gives me pause. I'm glad I work at home. I try not to get in their way, but at least I know they aren't bringing in their boyfriends to frolick on my sheets.

Skip this one. It will just make you disgusted and angry.

Not very curious or adventurous
Well, they're not all that curious, and they're not all Rafkin's adventures. Either she simply didn't have enough to fill a book, or she felt the need to be "serious". So interspersed with anecdotes of her cleaning jobs, we are treated to interviews with "dirty" house cleaners, her family's former maid, and members of "Messies Anonymous". Not to mention an extraordinarily self-involved letter to the surviving lover of an old friend, a letter that read as though it were written with an eye to publication.

Rafkin likes to clean, but she doesn't have to, and so one gets the impression, even though it may be unfair, of a dilettante. Too, although she mentions long-term clients, there's a sense that she flits from place to place. There are amusing anecdotes here, but in the end it's not a very satisfying read.

No Dirt Here
I'm not sure what this book is supposed to be -- a tell-all? An exploration of the history of cleaning and its place in western culture? A treatise about the underclass? I think part of the problem is that the author herself is not sure where she is, in the metaphysical sense. I couldn't tell why she was a cleaner. If she liked it. Even where she lived! And as far as "other people's dirt," there was precious little here. Not at all what I expected. I was more than a little annoyed at the curious tone the book took towards the idea that those who hire cleaners are somehow exploiting them... Very confusing. I was looking for an author who was going to dish some dirt and instead got an earful about Marxist theory.

Waste of time
I should have cleaned my house instead of reading this haphazardly written mess.

good clean fun
Entertaining, and easily read in one sitting.It isn't particularly deep or meaningful, but certainly jaunty and fun.Ms. Rafkin has an eye for the absurd.She briefly mentions a book about the history of maids, and more information about that would have made the book more interesting.I liked the tips on what to do if you hire a housecleaner; that's worth the price of the book. ... Read more

Product Description
A noted self-defense expert offers safety tips for runners and athletes, as well as advice on reporting date rape, handling sexual harassment, living and traveling alone, and other safety issues. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Starting Point!
This book represents an excellent starting point for women wanting to learn how to keep themselves safe. Covers all aspects of personal safety.

Street Smarts
This is the best book I have read so far on how to protect yourself in all aspects of life for a woman especially.Some of Louise's tips wereespecially helpful as I am a woman runner on inner city streets.Its really helpful especially about the secondary crime scene .I strongly recommend this to women who travel, shop, workout work late and what ever the million things are we do alone. Pick this book up.It will really change your way of thinking.Its easy to read and very understandable. Thanks Louise for all your help and please please please keep writing.

This book is packed with information on protecting yourself!
Lots of useful information!Women of all ages should read this handbook! ... Read more

Product Description
This collection of fiction and nonfiction from a noted lesbian author portrays the ups and downs of lesbian life in the 1990s. Original. ... Read more

Product Description
There lies Rover-or Lily, Goofs, or Spot-sleeping on the couch, slightly woofing, then growling, now twitching, as he naps. Most dog owners wonder, "Oh, I bet he's dreaming that he's chasing a bunny-how cute!" and let it go at that. In What Do Dogs Dream?, author and observant dog owner Louise Rafkin unleashes her vivid imagination on what dogs might actually be dreamingif they could tell us, and the dreams are a lot more fun than chasing furry creatures. Coupled with witty illustrations by artist Alison Bechdel, the result is a hilarious look at what dogs' fantasies might be. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

What do dogs dream
For any one who loves dogs, this book was so funny and true.A great stocking stuffer for Christmas

Role Reversals
Apparently what dogs dream about is being either human, or having the circumstances of their lives switched.Many humorous ones occur in this well-done book.

For example, "I dreamed I showed up at the park and I was naked, only the other dogs were, too -- Angel, Pekingese, three."This is clearly a dream that a human would have.The dogs are coyly posed to cover their more private areas with daffodils and such.

On the other hand, a Dalmatian dreamed "I was black with white spots" which is another type of reversal, while still being a dog.

Sometimes the relationship with humans is reversed to take a dog-centered approach as in this dream about training school, "[W]e were learning . . . how best to annoy cats."

The human reversal shows up with a sheep dog who "was taken off the farm and given a desk job."

The reversal of roles with humans shows up in a cartoon of dogs eating in a restaurant while noting "our people had to wait for us [outside], and it was raining."

The cartoons are cleverly and beautifully done by Alison Bechdel and add much to the book.

I have two complaints which led to the book being graded down two stars.First, the style is nicely done so that it could appeal to adults or children.The only problem is that some of these cartoons have "adult" humor in them in the form of sexual references, which make the book inappropriate for children from my point of view.That was a shame since children like to have fun with cartoons even more than most adults.If you want to show this to your children, be sure to censor those parts.

Second, cartoon books greatly benefit from an introduction to put the work into context.Since I always grade down The New Yorker cartoon books for this, I felt that I must do so for this one also.By the way, The New Yorker dog cartoon collection is better than this one both because it has more cartoons and because they are on more varied themes.On the other hand, this one is much less expensive if you are on a budget for a gift.Almost any dog lover would enjoy this book, except those who are easily offended by sexual references.

The idea of role reversals is an interesting one.I suggest that you think about your spouse, sibling, or best friend, and imagine reversing roles with that person.What humorous situations can you think of?What improvements in your life come to you?

Keep laughing!Laughter is very healthy for you according to Dr. Dean Ornish.

What fun!
The author of this book has clearly heard lots of people describe dreams, and knows dogs well, too. It was so much fun to look at the ideas she came up with for various breeds, and touching that the "mutts" got star billing, too. I have, and will, give this book as a gift.

How Disappointing.....
First of all, I'd like to say the concept of the book is a good idea. The format isn't even too bad, but the sunject matter is poor. Some of the dreams suggested are even pretty good. The problem is that the book iswritten in an almost child's book fashion and yet still contains offensivematerial. I was shocked to find that a book protrayed to be lightheartedcontained a nightmare from a standard poodle where she was "made to bewith" a male apricot poodle without even being able to get to know himand "everyone was watching." What an awful thing to put in a bookof this nature. Perhaps the author was trying to make some sort ofstatement with this, but I think it was in poor taste. ... Read more

Product Description
Coming out to Mom is a lesbian rite of passage. In the third edition of this landmark anthology, 34 remarkable women face their fears and confusion, prejudice and misunderstandings, and speak honestly and bravely about the difficulties and joys of life with their “different daughters.” Among the topics of discussion are family, community, religion, grandchildren, bisexuality, transgenderism, and coming out.Amazon.com Review
Among the watershed books for lesbians in past fifteen years, Louise Rafkin's Different Daughters provides support for the rainbow notion that love is what makes a family. When the book first appeared in 1987, there were very few resources for the parents of gays and lesbians, and even the best-intentioned parent could end up confused and angry after a trip to the Sexual Deviance section of the public library. Revised and expanded to include a few more contemporary issues like transgenderism, bisexuality, and gay parenting, these 30 brief memoirs by mothers of lesbians will comfort any mother who worries that her daughter will never be happy, or find a long-term, stable love, or be accepted by those around her. Even hostile parents can find some reassurance here in stories about mothers who were at first horrified by their daughters' lesbianism and have struggled to achieve an uneasy peace with them. A wonderful gift, especially for mothers of lesbians who are newly out of the closet.--Regina Marler ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

rah rah ho hum...
Not really needed: another book such as this. This is a tragic story and that is the story that needs to be acknowledged.

A Disappointment
I suppose it may be helpful for some mothers to simply know that they're not the only moms whose daughters are gay; however, I was disappointed that not one of the essays actually went into exactly why these women were allso initially distraught. Most wrote about how they came to terms with"the myths and misconceptions," but nobody actually says whatthey are and how they delt with them! Overall, I didn't find this book tobe helpful at all.

An excellent and worthwhile resource
This book is intimate and open and extremely valuable. While many lesbians are "out" and have been "out" for what seems like forever, this book is for those who aren't yet there, and the people whocare about them. While it may seem fairly repetitive, (my mother certainlythought so)the recurring themes are a lesson; we are not alone, we are notthe only ones, and what we are going through IS survivable. This bookincludes many stories similar yet different in their own way just as eachwoman's "coming out" story is hers,and hers alone. This book canbe a great "jumping off place" for discussion between a motherand daughter, a teacher and student, coach and player.... there are manymentors out there who can reach out and help young women searching for away out of the closet. This book is an honest map of the ways these womenstayed on the path of life with their daughers. Their writing is sometimesamateur, and reflects that some are still trying to find acceptance withintheir hearts, and a road back to love for their daughters, but they aretrying, and in this book, they've put themselves out there for others tosee and from which to find comfort. Friends have told me that now they areaware this book exists, they will retain it in their libraries to call onwhen a friend or colleague says, "I think my daughter is gay.."or "I'm a lesbian, how do I tell my mom?" and if you haven't yetcome out to your mother, this may be the book you should read. If it's beenyears and your mother is no longer here to talk, read it anyway and shareit with friends or relatives in her place. It's a wonderful collection, anda wonderfully powerful book.

A wonderful collection of understanding!
I came out to my mom and then read the book, and gave it to her also. I loved it, so did she! The diversity of the contributors is one of the best things about the book, as well as the updates to some contributors to the first edition. Every lesbian should read this book, and give it to her mother! ... Read more

Product Description
A fascinating introduction to the martial arts explores the true nature, history, and philosophy of martial arts, summarizing the legends and people who have contributed to the centuries-old traditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Tigers Eye Birds Fist
My two children have studied Aikido for three years.
In this book, there are stories of different martial artists.
The reason I like this book isthat it does not have stories that accept the product of aggression to be violence. Rather one should seek a way of non-violence to avoid aggression whenever possible.

entertaining, but somewhat limited - a good beginner's book
This book was entertaining and well written, including refreshing storiesof real people and their experiences. Almost everything concerning martialarts is touched upon, but Only touched upon; subjects get a couple of pagesat the very most. Nevertheless, it was very enjoyable, and I recommend ithighly for the beginning martial artist as casual reading. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A positive, supportive book for kids and moms alike!
My daughter read this book when she was in high school. She was so excited to find out that so many kids had experiences and feelings like hers!She has had all her closest friends read the book so they would understand her and her life better. There are essays in here that are suitable for nearly any age child.

A Nice, Positive Book About Lesbian Moms And Their Kids
Non-fiction book with the personal stories of sons and daughters of lesbian mothers. I liked it a lot, it's a positive book for anyone who has a gay or lesbian family or anyone who is interested in the topic.

A Wonderful Book!
An absorbing compilation of stories of the lives of sons and daughters of lesbian mothers. The diverse group of authors range in age from seven years to middle aged and they all provide a wonderful record of how they feel about having "different" mothers ... Read more

Product Description
Eight articles. ... Read more