Seams Unlikely

 

 

 Nancy Online

 

 

I don't sew at all, it's not my gift, but I think it's an amazing skill and I admire it. Having said that, I have actually watched Nancy's show, believe it or not. When offered the chance to review this book I took it, because, like everyone who loves a good overcomer story, I wanted to hear hers.

 

The book was a comforting, if not riveting tale. She tells her story in a matter-of-fact way that I liked. She spends a good amount of time on her childhood on a family run dairy farm. I love agriculture so the familiar terms and the images of farm life and a cozy farmhouse and family appealed to me. Nancy Zieman has a lovely family and grew up with good, solid,  American farmland roots. The book is peppered with nice recipes of foods your mother and grandmother might have made- the kind you still find in church suppers. (potlucks) I enjoyed those.

The rest of the book tells of Nancy's life and struggles, and is inspirational in that what she was able to accomplish was truly something! Her physical impediment aside, in the business world she built something from nothing. From working in her kitchen to a multi-million dollar business. Astounding. Given her struggles with appearance due to the Bell's Palsy, it a wonder that she ended up with a program that ran for decades. In fact, the longest running sewing show. What bravery, determination and fortitude. The woman has good character and faith in addition to her other fine qualities.

This book was inspiring and pleasant to read. It wasn't exactly a thriller or the kind you just can't put down, if you're like me and don't even sew, but for fans of her show I'm sure this book is a treat. It's well-written and interesting.

 

 

In Seams Unlikely, Nancy:

• Shares her life story for the first time
• Gives details of the onset of Bell's Palsy and how it played a part during school
• Reveals the intricate involvement of 4-H in her development
• Tells, step-by-step, how she grew Nancy's Notions from a basement in her home into a multi-million dollar business
• Includes behind-the-scenes information on the growth of Sewing with Nancy from filming in her living room to a long-term partnership with Wisconsin Public Television
• Shows pictures of the people, buildings, and places that played key roles along the path of her life 

Reading of the growth of Nancy's family (she is a married
mother of two, one son by birth, one by adoption) alongside the growth of her show and business is both familiar and instructive to working moms. Nancy created solutions in both the workplace and at home, to carve a niche uniquely suited to her situation and talents. It's a goal to which many of us aspire. And Nancy Zieman's story gives us key insight

 

*I was given this book by the publisher at no charge in exchange for a written review on my blog.

Glass Road Media & Management