Picking up this book was a trip into my Texas past. A glimpse of a rariified style of life that I pined for as a girl growing up in Grand Prairie....I don't think we had a Junior League. "Just As We Were" actually proves again, that no matter the side of the tracks you came from, Texas women are a singular breed, smart, strong, and comitted.

Prudence has an unofficial fan club in El Paso, Texas. It started with her first book, Thundering Sneakers, and when the second one came out, Retreads, we were all thrilled. Now, with this treasure, Just as We Were, well, it's just too much! Prudence writes with such wit and wisdom about the things many women do in their lives. I never realized how funny some of the stuff is that we do until I read about it from her view point. The Junior League stories are enough to make your sides split, I actually read parts of it at our own Junior League meeting one time! Don't get me wrong, you DO NOT have to be a member of the Junior League or anything else to enjoy this book. She writes about things from two sides and it is a great experience. Sad things, like aging parents and the painful parts of child rearing can be funny and ultimatly less painful from Prudence' perspective. I highly recommend this book!

Junior Leaguers finally have a voice!!! Prudence Mackintosh has captured a part Texas womanhood in a series of hilarious essays just published in book form. I laughed hard but wait, this is more than just personal and funny stories. Mackintosh acts like a social anthropologist, commenting upon all the things that make Texas women's lives unique.So if you want a delightful read and if you want to understand Texas (or Southern) women, read this book. Actually, if you want to understand women at all read this book because she really touches on issues like growing up, children, college, domestic help, and aging parents which are experiences most middle class women have had. Elizabeth Cauthorn (drewc@dcci.com)

From the moment I discovered Prudence Mackintosh in Thundering Sneakers (first of the trilogy), I fell in love with her style of writing. She shares the joys of boys along with her own cherishing of the moments of parenting them. Retreads will make you laugh until you cry as you share her wonderful observations of her own 3 boys in those "tween years" where they are too big to hold and way too big to ignore. If you know a mother of all boys, I cannot think of a better gift -- the Mackintosh Trilogy (Sneaking Out is new in 2002 -- and helps to finish the chapter of raising children!) UT Press has done us all a favor by reissuing these gems! Thanks Prudence!

Read Prudence McIntosh! If you have boys you must read this book. One of my favorites.

Prudence Mcintosh is just about my favorite author of all time and this book is the best. She is a real role model for young moms.You will love this book.

In Thundering Sneakers, Prudence Mackintosh has anecdotally shared her life as the mother of 3 boys in a Texas town with humor and frankness. Mothers of boys anywhere will recognize her stories and grandmothers who have raised their sons will laugh as they remember those moments when they longed for a little girl to dress up. In the days of career women, Mackintosh has made her career writing about what it's like to be a stay-at-home mom, and life with her three boys and her lawyer husband will bring laughter to your heart and tears to your eyes. This is a must read for any woman whose life is made richer, and rowdier, by sons. {Retreads is the sequel -- and just as good!