August 22, 2005
Morris, in partnership with her mother, produced a PBS documentary series meant to empower women by traveling to exotic locales and seeking out "divas": women creating positive change in their societies through passionate and often convention-defying actions. Among her subjects: the first female beat cop in India, who later reformed the prison system; an Iranian publisher of a feminist magazine fighting strict censorship laws; and a pop star who rocked New Zealand's cultural divides. With these women as the focus, Morris and her crew provide novel and extensive explorations of different cultures. Despite the author's objective to avoid reinforcing stereotypes, she does occasionally stumble on her own biases. For instance, her aversion to organized religion clearly colors her translation of cultures heavy with holy history. Morris's writing is clean, rhythmic and full of both storytelling flair and journalistic pragmatism. The story of the spunky project itself, from the obstacles overcome while producing an independent documentary series to Morris's adventures along the way (she takes on a side job hosting another travel show, eats with Malaysian headhunters, climbs Switzerland's Matterhorn and rides through the Sahara Desert on camelback), is as inspiring as the divas themselves. B&w photos, illus. Agent, Leigh Feldman
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October 15, 2005
The word diva comes from the Italian word for goddess, which shares its root with the word divine. Here, Morris details her experiences filming her award-winning PBS television series, "Adventure Divas", and in the process proves herself an adventure goddess indeed. She recounts how she quit her job as a desk-bound book editor to go to Sumatra, thus beginning an illustrious career traveling to the most exciting and remote parts of the globe and meeting and interviewing some of the world's most accomplished women. Morris and her small television crew take us across the Sahara, to the top of the Matterhorn, and through the environs of Iran, Cuba, and India. Along the way, we meet women like a former Black Panther in exile in Cuba, the New Delhi chief of police, a Maori pop star in New Zealand, and female taxi drivers in Iran. Morris, founder of Adventure Divas, Inc., and author of two fishing anthologies, shows that traveling and adventure are an integral part of a philosophy of living life to its fullest. Writing with compassion, humor, and activism, Morris empowers women to follow their dreams by showing that determined women can indeed effect change in their lives. Highly recommended." -Melinda Stivers Leach, Precision Editorial Svcs., Wondervu, CO"
Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
September 15, 2005
This is not just about travel, although it's as adventurous as can be. More than that, it's Morris' account of leaving her deskbound publishing job and joining her broadcaster mother to form Adventure Divas to track down "unsung visionaries," women who changed the world in Cuba, India, New, Zealand, and Iran, for what became an award-winning PBS series. (Between diva searches, to replenish company coffers, Morris takes jobs hunting headhunters in Borneo, climbing the Matterhorn, and crossing the Sahara.) Morris' interviews--with, among others, Black Panther exile Assata Shakur in Cuba; top cop Kiran Bedi in India; author Keri Hulme, who wrote Morris' beloved " The "Bone People, in New Zealand; and blind folksinger Pari Zanganeh, who wears a hat instead of a veil, in Iran--are thoughtful and probing, revealing the differences between their lives and those of American women. Her text adds context--and humor--to the project, warts and all (blank film in India, hotel fire in New Zealand). A good bet for feminists, fans of the PBS shows, adventure travelers, and anyone who wants a good read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2005, American Library Association.)