Critical Notices of Books by Elaine Bernstein Partnow

"Anyone who spends any time on the World Wide Web will appreciate the 'vast quarry' imagery and the 'pious work of salvage'*--and organization--that Partnow's books provide....What makes Partnow's works especially appealing as reference works is that she provides source information for every single one of the 19,000 quotations, which are from 3,657 women." -- Feminist Collections (v.22, nos. 3-4, Spring/Summer 2001), (*from "Melancholy Objects," On Photography, by Susan Sontag, 1977)

"In her eclectic selection of quotatons, Partnow aims to 'inspire, move, delight, and reveal,' a goal met on every page." -- L.A. Pander, Bowdoin College, Choice, September 2001

"A treasure trove of both familiar and unexpected quotations on nearly every subject imaginable." -- Book News, 1 May 2001

"...the latest edition is the biggest and best. As carefully organized and thoroughly researched as one could ask for from a quotation book, this one provides, unlike many others, the title of the work from which the quotation is drawn...In summary, this book sets the standard for quotation books of any kind." - Booklist, 2001

"A treasure trove of both familiar and unexpected quotations on nearly every subject imaginable." - Book News, 1 May 2001

"...will provide students with a range of citations to enjoy and/or add spark to their assignments." - School Library Journal

"The fifth edition of Quotable Woman maintains the quality of its predecessors. It has grown substantially in size and coverage, with contributors numbering over 3,600...In her eclectic selection of quotations, Partnow aims to "inspire, move, delight, and reveal," a goal met on every page. This fine work is highly recommended for all libraries." - Choice

Earlier editions have been twice endorsed by Book News

"No other source approaches its representation." -- Bookviews

"An excellent book...more than a reference, it's a reading experience as well....A necessity in every standard reference collection." -- The Los Angeles Times

"A book to dip into and enjoy" -- Working Woman

"Weighty is a literal word for this volume, but it is a tribute also to the substantial worth of The Quotable Woman...Miss Partnow's excellent collection will be of value to men as well..." -- The Wall Street Journal

"Deserves a place alongside your Bartlett." -- John Barkham Reviews

"The strength of this reference tool lies mainly in its depth...The QuotableWoman should be very useful and welcome to many libraries." -- Booklist

"Those who have searched the standard quotation dictionaries for sayings of notable women will greet this work with enthusiasm...A helpful source for speakers and writers and an important and necessary addition to any collection of quotation dictionaries." -- Choice

"No other source approaches its representation..." -- Library Journal

(and--a later edition) "This remains the only definitive quotation book of its kind, and its reference value is enhanced greatly by the addition of the nationality and occupation indexes. Recommended for most libraries." -- Library Journal

"A unique reference book...These quotations give a real sense of voices too little listened to or even heard before. This excellent tool...should be in every public and high school library." -- The Bookwoman

"Highly Recommended" -- Reference Quarterly

"Through their chronological order, the quotations tell the history of women both mighty and humble..." -- Wilson Library Bulletin

"What Barlett's missed." -- The Boston Globe

"Partnow locks in on Jewish women and their thoughts on everything from religion, sex, anatomy, shopping, and death. The statements are from jewish women from all walks of life and are funny, revealing, and fascinating reading. Men should read this book to have a better understanding of the Jewish Woman." - Gary Roen, The Midwest Book Review, October 2007

"A wonderful collection of quotes...More than 300 women...speak in these pages, and their voices reflect the wit, reflections, and many ideas that Jewish women are justly known for." - Abigail Schade Gary, New Jersey Jewish Standard, May 11, 2007

"One could say Partnow has performed a mitzvah by calling attention to a few hundred of the Jewish women who've contributed so much to our culture." - Liz Harris, The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California, March 17, 2006

"This book is like a smorgasbord at a celebration...one can become sated or kep going back for more..." - Jewish Book World, Spring 2005

"A grand compendium...a superb resource..." - Wisconsin Bookwatch, April 2005

"The one-paragraph biographies of each woman are perhaps the most fascinating part of the book . . . The collection=s strength lies in diversity . . . something to inspire every reader." -- Publishers Weekly, June 14, 2004

"This is not a book to read from cover to cover, but to put on the shelf together with your dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, concordance and other reference works. It is an indispensable source for speakers, writers, teachers, and anyone who loves to mull over profound ideas....A valuable resource that belongs on every Jewish bookshelf." - Dov Peretz Elkins, Jewish Media Review, March 31, 2005

"The range of material covered is impressive and opposing views are sometimes included in the same section so readers can see the spectrum of opinions offered by different women.... I began to find the book addicting. ...The hardest part of reading Partnow's book was not sharing all my favorites with anyone in hearing distance." - Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter: Jewish Federation of Broome County (NY), January 14, 2005

"A useful source for speakers, writers, darshanim, and anyone seeking a bit of feminine inspiration. It is a good addition to public and synagogue library reference collections." - Barbara M. Bibel, Association of Jewish Libraries Newsletter, February/March 2005

"There is much wisdom to be found in this book." - The Andie Newman Book Page, Manna, The Voice of Living Judaism, Winter 2005

"The book . . . is like having your grandmother's wisdom tucked in your back pocket." -- Managing Editor Irish Ruth Pastor, The American Israelite (Cincinnati), July 29, 2004

"If you're preparing a speech for to give in front of a local Hadassah group, this book will provide plenty of help." -- Jewsweek, The Jewsweek Short Stack by Bradford R. Pilcher, September 2004

"As a group, Jewish women have a lot to say. If you are looking for proof…The Quotable Jewish Woman delivers on all points." - The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle, September 10, 2004

"It's the kind of book you want to keep by the bedside and dip into." - Jewish Community Federation of Louisville, October 15, 2004

"The perfect filler to round out one's article, spice to heat up one's discussion, or just plain leisure reading with the tang of wisdom." - Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI), 11 April 2005

"Enjoyable and well-constructed ... " - Kathy Dodd Miner, Feminist Collections, Summer 2005

"If you need inspiration, enlightenment or even a pithy quotation ... [this book] is a find." - Jewish Woman

"...a delight. The writing is accessible--clear and concise...a welcome addition in high school, public, and academic libraries." - Booklist

"Useful primarily for general readers or lower level undergraduates, this biographical dictionary is well written and interesting..." - Choice

"It is marvelous to see so many creative and influential women gathered in one spot...fills an empty niche for biographical material on women dramatists and is recommended for both public and academic libraries." - American Reference Books Annual

"Recommended for public and academic libraries." - Library Journal