About the book 

  National Award for Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart!

On October 10, 2008, Carol Leonard’s book, Lady's Hands, Lion's Heart won the first annual Mothers Naturally award of excellence for "Midwives in Media" for Outstanding Book, 2008! The award was presented in the beautiful Traverse City Opera House in Traverse City, Michigan.

 The award states: "Mothers Naturally Awards commend outstanding achievement in childbirth activism, advocacy for normal birth, and empowerment of women in childbirth. Mothers Naturally Awards recognize films, books and websites highlighting midwifery and home birth. The Midwives Alliance of North America congratulates and thanks Carol Leonard for her excellent work."

 This was an incredibly proud moment! Ricki Lake and Abby Epstein also won for Best Film for their groundbreaking documentary, The Business of Being Born. [go to http://mothersnaturally.org/resources/awards.php ]

After the awards ceremony, there was a huge celebration. You can view a snippet of the fesitivities on YouTube [go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEMqOuz60qo and turn up your sound! Carol is the geek in the white shirt doing the Funky Chicken].

December 2008 ~ Kudos from the Midwives Alliance of North America:  "MANA's own Carol Leonard was the very first Mothers Naturally award winner. Carol completed and published her remarkable memoir, Lady's Hands, Lion's Heart just in time to be nominated for this year's award. Congratulations Carol, you have been the face of New Hampshire midwifery for many decades as well as a founding mother of MANA. We love you and appreciate your work!"

 Carol Leonard, Midwife, to Present at NEC — filed under: Feature Story

Carol Leonard, internationally acclaimed midwife, will give a talk on her new book at New England College on Wednesday, November 12th at 7:15pm. The event, sponsored by the Friends of the New England College Library, will take place in the Simon Center on Bridge Street in Henniker and is free and open to the public.

 

Since graduating from New England College in 1977, Carol Leonard learned the skills of the midwife from one of New Hampshire’s traditional country doctors. Since then she has not only delivered nearly 1,200 babies successfully, but has revived the practice of midwifery in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. Her memoir of almost 30 years of practice, Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart, A Midwife’s Saga, was recently released by Bad Beaver Publishing.

 

Recognized as a leader of the modern midwifery movement, Leonard is a New Hampshire Certified Midwife and the co-founder of the Midwives Alliance of North America. She has been featured on ABC’s news magazine 20/20, and her new book was given the first annual Mothers Naturally outstanding book award.

 

Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart was awarded the first annual Mothers

Naturally national award of excellence for Outstanding Book, 2008.

 

“This new book by experienced New Hampshire midwife, Carol

Leonard, is a wonderful read. It is funny, compelling, exciting,

and sad. I think it is the best midwife’s memoir I have ever read.

More than a collection of birth stories or midwifery musings,

Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart, is a personal journey, as well as a spirited

account of a larger journey occurring in the midwifery profession.”

—Molly Remer, Citizens for Midwifery News, Fall 2008.

 

“This book is subtitled A Midwife’s Saga. Saga means a narrative of

heroic deeds, which is a perfect description for this book.”

—Sonia Reppe/Chicago/Bookpleasures review

 

“Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart has it all. It’s part memoir, part

American history, part textbook, part spiritual journey, part love

story. Danger, romance, mystery, comedy and sometimes, sadly,

tragedy – Leonard’s stories will keep you turning the pages with

anticipation.”

—2008 Feathered Quill Book Reviews

 

“The stories she tells are written in such a way that I didn’t feel

like I was reading a book; I felt as if we were friends discussing her

experiences over a cup of coffee. I found myself eagerly turning the

pages, wondering what new experience she was about to share with

me. Ms. Leonard’s passion and intuition about midwifery shines

through on every page.”

—Lisa Kisner for Reader Views

 

“I have never felt so many emotions from a single book. This book

is a keeper!”

—Story Circle Book Reviews,

reviewing books by, for and about women.

 

 HiCarol-
I just read your book and was transported back to some wonderful times. Your writing is beautiful, hilarious and honest. I could not put down the book until it was done. Thank you for all that you have done for women over the years. I kept thinking back to my own homebirth of Tucker with you and Milan. He picked dandelions and made me a crown while I was in labor. You were wonderful, strong and competent for the delivery. I feel very blessed that I was able to have that experience. Thank you. Be well and thank you for your beautiful book,
Megan (4/2/09, Warner)

 Hello Carol,

 

I am a first year midwifery student at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.  Thank you for the beautiful, strong, honest and unapologetic story you have told.  As a student with more time logged in the library than at births your stories were grounding and inspiring.  I loved the shower birth where you were with the woman, exactly where she needed to be.  Humour and humility, critical tools for the successful midwife.  Your book spelled out the respect midwives must give to women's knowledge and the birthing process.  In your stories I found so many teachings and of course so many questions. 

 

I also would like to thank you for the very personal elements of the book.  Life can not be expressed or experienced as isolated parts, but we are so often asked to believe that it can.

 

Thank you for sharing your journey with us!

Olivia

 

Hello Carol,

I have just finished ready your book, "Lady's Hands, Lion's Heart" and wanted to share with you how much I loved reading it.
I am in my 4th and final year of my bachelor of midwifery at UBC in Vancouver, Canada. Your book has been inspiring to read while completing this tough year of school. My program is fairly new as midwifery in Canada is a newly "regulated & recognized" profession. I often feel sad at the medicalization of birth even today when so many women such as yourself have worked so hard to change obstetrical practice. Your stories and words moved me and really helped me to remember why I am on this journey.

Thank you for all you have done for so many thousands of women and for creating your book. If you are ever in Canada I would love to hear you speak!

Sincerely, Alyson
 

 

What Readers are saying: 

People: Midwife = “with woman”
Carol Leonard delivers a book about her profession
By Jeff Mucciarone jmucciarone@hippopress.com

Carol Leonard served New Hampshire as its first and perhaps most prominent midwife. Having practiced for three decades, the 58-year-old Hopkinton resident isn’t delivering babies now; she is taking time out to write and to build a 400-acre farm in Maine. The mother of two adult children, she is co-founder of the Midwives Alliance of North America. She spent time in Moscow in the early 1990s helping Russians with their delivery practices. In July she self-published Lady’s Hands, Lion’s Heart: A Midwife’s Saga, which details her adventures as a midwife and delves into the origins of the midwife profession. To learn more about Leonard, go to www.badbeaverfarm.com.

Genuine Page-turner, September 10, 2008 By  Veronica Flynn Hewitt (Windham, NH) - See all my reviews    I know nothing about midwifery and, being over 80 years old, I also have no interest in it. However, I am a New Hampshire resident and felt that I'd like to read a book written by a fellow-New Hampshire-ite! What a surprise I got! This book is so well written, it fairly sings. I literally could not put it down. This is a courageous woman who has lived her passion. She is an inspiration to women everywhere especially those breaking into male dominated professions. She makes our state proud. Roni Help other customers find the most helpful reviews   Was this review helpful to you?   Report this | Permalink  Comment

  Your book!!!! I love it. It was eating my brain and I couldn't get anything done so I stayed up all night and read it. I am so sorry about Ken, and now that I have read the book I can't believe you kept your composure when that women said she didn't agree with the ending. What??? The story is powerful, and I love the way you laid it out. I like the short birth vignettes that all weave in your political and business journey, raising Milan, and your relationship with Ken. Wow! Good job, and thanks for writing it.   Lib

 WOW! I got your book in the mail yesterday at about 9:30...I am already on page 182...and I went out last night!
This is awesome carol and just what i needed. I had read the portions you sent me to tuck away, but this book, all together is just the kind of thing needed out there. I have already laughed with you, cried with you, I am on the edge of my seat about the relationship with Ken, and worried about you in the eyes of the medical community...and at the same time I am learning from you...seeing if you do what I would do and loving that your thoughts are so similar to my own...this book is ageless...it is empowering and motivating...and I am not kissing ass here I am serious! LET ME KNOW if you need ANY help in publicity. I have already driven over to my town Library this morning and highly recommended they put it on the shelf! What an incredible honor it is to know you. I knew that day in the elevator when I reminded you who you were and of your power that you were incredible but I never had any idea how deeply seated that is...man I wish I had the opportunity to apprentice with you my dear...anytime you need help just say so!

Whew...I can't wait for the second half of the book...
XOXO
Anji
 

Thank you so much for being flexible. Please can you autograph them? It's been a wonderful time. I still remember the first time you spoke to me. We were waiting for an elevator in Milwaukee and you noticed me and cheered me up and you assured me that MANA was for all midwives, that we, in WV were Midwives, that we too, could step up to the perineum.

(WHY AM I ALWAYS  IN AN ELEVATOR??) CL

This is the email I sent to Carol Leonard after receiving her new book in
the mail: Lady's Hands, Lion's Heart: A Midwife's Saga.

"I had to let you know that I received the three copies of your book in the
mail yesterday. I started reading it immediately and I CAN'T PUT IT DOWN!
It is so interesting, so well written, I love the mix of personal with
professional experiences. This is a book every midwife will LOVE! I can't
wait to finish it, but I don't want it to ever end. Thank you so much for
sharing your life with us. "

Dotti Kirkpatrick, RM, CPM

 Hello everyone!
Any avid readers eager for a good read related to birth?
Aha,just the response I suspected! :)

Okay here's a publication I anticipate becoming the new darling of the
genre.

Felicidades Carol! 

 I have just finished reading this book...literally. It arrived Wednesday and I finished just moments ago. I am at my computer as I sent Carol a letter of gratitude for her book. My eyes are still wet with tears from the ending.
I am obviously a new midwife, as well as NH midwife who has know Carol for the last 3 years. She is our lobbyist here in NH, and as the secretary of our Midwives association I have watched her in legislative mode, and at meetings, and have always respected her ability and sassy intelligence...BUT...this book has really brought me something precious. If you are feeling down, or disappointed in the system, or even just need an over all shot in the arm, I recommend a good strong dose of Carol's book. She writes from the heart, and her personality comes through in a way that makes one feel the privilege of serving women, and the joy there is in really truly following your heart, your art, and your calling...I have not read a book like this EVER, and anyone who knows me knows I have every book there is on childbirth and midwifery...I am a self-admitted bookaholic...this is one I will reach for when my heart gets weary or numb from the intensity of what we as Midwives call our work...do yourself a favor and get a copy of this book...and if you have a sister midwife you know could use a boost, get her a copy too. I also recommend that any and all student or apprentice midwives who are needing a clearer picture of what it takes makes time to read this one...it clearly shows what it takes...and what it means to be a midwife.
A great read!

 More kudos for the book and for Carol. I,too, got the book on Weds
(got 3 copies in fact--for our birth center library!) and devoured
it immediately.
Carol is a great writer and the book is a great story as well as
like sitting down with a bunch of midwives-birth story after birth
story after birth story--we just can never get enough!
Wonderful.
Kip

 Hey Carol!!!!!!!!!!!  This is from my Mother.  I swear you have a best seller on your hands.  I wanted to share it with you directly.  Have a good day -STOP SCRATCHING!

Subject: Lady's Hands . . .
I can't put it down!  Should never have started in a busy week!  Who is Dr. Easey?  And my memory is that Dr. Ritzman who delivered your sister and Tom was called Fifty Fingers back in the 60's!  Right now I can't remember who delivered you, I got put to sleep in the middle of the afternoon!  I have laughed out loud more than once!

Carol - I can't begin to tell you how much your book made me laugh, cry, and be thankful, that now, finally, women have a real choice about how they want to birth their children. It may not be your ideal,of birth without drugs, but it is now at least a choice with many options between natural and medical that a woman can choose. 
 I understand you are moving to Ellsworth - it will certainly be interesting to see what press you generate next! You told a beautiful story, a real story. Thank you for writing it.
 

Hey Carol!
  Thank you soooo much for the book. I read it in a day and it was a .. Magical Mystery Tour... I laughed til my sides hurt and shed a tear or two.  I'm going to send you a check for two more copies to share with friends ( I won't give up my signed copy). You did an awesome job!! Let me know when you'll be around this fall as I'd love to see you, it's been too long.
                    Love, a CNM in NH 

                         
I just finished reading your book and was so moved by it.  I really
identified with your story.  Your struggle in NH parallels ours in
Florida.  Your courage and tenacity are an inspiration to us all.  I
knew your contributions to MANA but didn't know your personal story.
Your birth stories were wonderful, some are unforgettable.  Thanks for
sharing and blessings to you and all those whose lives you touch.
 

~Justine Clegg, MS, LM, CPM, LMHC
Miami, FL 
 

 I just finished reading your book. It has been my companion in the stolen moments of the last week as I sat on my deck absorbing the last rays of summer sunshine...when I could slip away from working.

At the end, my tears soaked the final pages. I knew Ken had died, but never knew how. Although it is not the same, I can so relate to the pain of your loss...my own emotions still raw from the loss of my son. Your epilogue gives me hope that life will go on eventually. 

Sad, too, that your book came to an end. I have laughed and cried my way through your delightful birth stories, sharing the best parts with Fred as I read, and could have read a million more! You are TRULY my sister, Carol!   xoxo Short Stork

Great talking to you yesterday.  I just had to tell you how much I'm enjoying your book. 
You've touched so many lives, and inspired many, many more.  Reading the book does make me wish you had been there when I was having my children.  In the historical aspect, it's great to read about the movement from a woman's perspective.  (All too often, history, including women's hx,  has been recorded by men). 
You're a treasure to your profession and I'm grateful to you for sharing it. 
Regards to my buddy Tom. 
Denise"
 

Lady's Hands, Lion's Heart ~ A Midwife's Saga
By Carol Leonard
ISBN: 978-0-615-19550-6
$15.00

• home
• about the author
• about the book
• excerpts
  
• blog
• order now
• contact

Copyright © 2010 Bad Beaver Publishing.
Website design by E-Moxie