Brainboxes  Brainboxes is a unique study of the lives of twenty six women who, as academically gifted girls in the late 1950s, attended Narrabeen Girls' High School in Louise Wilson interviewed these women thirty years after their high school experience to see how their lives had changed and evolved - and to gauge what impact (if any) selective schooling had on the decisions they made about their futures. These women hold a special place in Australian history as they were among the first of the 'baby boomers' generation, were part of the 'changeover' generation, the generation which came to regard tertiary education as a right not a privilege, and were part of the age group who created new momentum in the women's movement. This important work explores the various elements that made up the lives of the 'Narrabeen girls' and looks at the patterns that arose in their stories of school, marriage, motherhood and work. The book will appeal to anyone interested in women's stories, social issues, Australian history and the volatile topic of gifted education. Louise Wilson's book is, in my view, required reading for those who want to understand more about the history and experience of the education of women in Australia. It is an argument for some consideration of difference in education and what to do with the 'gifted', however defined. It is also a book on Australian types, involving real people. There are all too few of those. Review of 'Brainboxes', Aust Journal of Psychological Type, May 95 Thank you for the book. I read most of it in one straight lot. It is very absorbing. Librarian, Swinburne University, Oct 94 I would like to start with a little history behind my interest in your books. A number of years ago a friend of my sister researched our family and was very excited to trace us back to Robert Forrester. My cousins became interested and through them I became aware of your book. In looking you up online to order copies for my sister and myself and reading through your information, I can't tell you how shocked I was to discover "Brainboxes". As you have probably guessed, I was in that 1A class at Narrabeen Girls High too [earlier than you, in 1953, the school's first year]. It was a very emotional experience and took me quite some time before I could even order the book and then only with my son's urging. I'm very glad I did! I could only read a bit at a time but I think it has helped me see and understand myself and my experience of those years a little more. I didn't recognise anyone but their stories somehow validated mine and left me feeling more confident and less judgmental of myself. It has still taken me all these months to contact you, I kept putting it in the 'too hard basket', I'm wary of the memories and emotions that surface. Gwen ----, May 2010. Loved your book, I didn't realise that it existed until meeting Carolyn in Melbourne recently. I don't remember the girls you interviewed as I was in 1B, but it was wonderful to read about our school, our teachers, our uniform, our love of English and the lines of bare legs all suntanning! I was one of them. My father was transferred to Fremantle at the end of my 4th year at Narrabeen, so the women's life stories were a great help to me and put into perspective my own terrible sense of dislocation and alienation. Not only that, but also how lucky I have been in so many other ways. Thank you. I feel very privileged to have been a Narrabeen girl. Anne Jamieson, Aug 2010. The above comments from 2010 prove that this book continues to have a life!
Using a separate order for each delivery address, please print out the form below and post it with cheque/bank draft/aust postal money order to: Louise Wilson PO Box 3055 South Melbourne, VIC 3205 Australia Click [ here ] to download the order form. |
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