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The Dressmaker's Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family's Secret
My niece was 36, newly married, and “on top of the world,” when she collapsed and died. Her autopsy report caused us to panic—there was something in our blood that could trigger sudden death. As a mother, I prayed for the curse to spare my children. As a geneticist, I plotted to find the killer. Without planning to do so, I became a medical detective.
The book tells of the sorrows a mutation caused my family for generations, revealing a history of resilience and hope. As the stories unfold, I weave in discussions about genetic testing, screening, and gene therapy. The aim is to raise awareness of the crucial role of genetic testing in safeguarding personal health and patient care. I believe I became a geneticist at a time when few women pursued this path because I was destined to help understand the family illness and advocate for genetic testing.
Experts agree on the value of genetic testing when there is a family history of disease, or if the patient has an illness frequently caused by a mutation. Knowing the disease mutation lets other family members find out if they have it too and need preventive care. The book explains that doctors can order tests with genetic counseling at relatively low cost and how this will help them prescribe preventive actions, make earlier diagnoses, and get better outcomes. The book’s genetic discussions also delve into the implications of broad-based genetic screening without a family history. Policymakers are currently considering the benefits and drawbacks of this approach and I present both sides of this debate.
While working on this book I uncovered a family secret hidden for over one hundred years. Family lore had it that a heavy dressmaker’s mirror fell on and killed my uncle when he was four. But the death certificate told a different story. The true cause of my uncle’s death was heart failure. My grandparents fabricated the dressmaker’s mirror accident to protect their surviving children’s marriage prospects. Long before the discovery of DNA, my grandparents intuited and feared James Watson’s message, "We used to think that our fate was in our stars, but now we know that, in large measure, our fate is in our genes.” The book suggests genetic testing and associated medical intervention can yet change our fates.
The book tells of the sorrows a mutation caused my family for generations, revealing a history of resilience and hope. As the stories unfold, I weave in discussions about genetic testing, screening, and gene therapy. The aim is to raise awareness of the crucial role of genetic testing in safeguarding personal health and patient care. I believe I became a geneticist at a time when few women pursued this path because I was destined to help understand the family illness and advocate for genetic testing.
Experts agree on the value of genetic testing when there is a family history of disease, or if the patient has an illness frequently caused by a mutation. Knowing the disease mutation lets other family members find out if they have it too and need preventive care. The book explains that doctors can order tests with genetic counseling at relatively low cost and how this will help them prescribe preventive actions, make earlier diagnoses, and get better outcomes. The book’s genetic discussions also delve into the implications of broad-based genetic screening without a family history. Policymakers are currently considering the benefits and drawbacks of this approach and I present both sides of this debate.
While working on this book I uncovered a family secret hidden for over one hundred years. Family lore had it that a heavy dressmaker’s mirror fell on and killed my uncle when he was four. But the death certificate told a different story. The true cause of my uncle’s death was heart failure. My grandparents fabricated the dressmaker’s mirror accident to protect their surviving children’s marriage prospects. Long before the discovery of DNA, my grandparents intuited and feared James Watson’s message, "We used to think that our fate was in our stars, but now we know that, in large measure, our fate is in our genes.” The book suggests genetic testing and associated medical intervention can yet change our fates.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 19, 2024
15 people are currently reading
3583 people want to read
About the author
Susan Weiss Liebman
1 book25 followersSusan Weiss Liebman, PhD, was among MIT's early female undergraduate students, part of a pioneering wave of women entering the institution. With a PhD in genetics from the University of Rochester, she served as a biology professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she taught genetics and led a research group for more than three decades. Later she transitioned her lab to the University of Nevada, Reno. Along the way, she raised two children and now delights in four grandchildren alongside her husband of fifty-five years. Following the sudden death of her niece, Liebman became a medical detective and committed to promoting awareness of genetic testing.
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August 31, 2024
Susan Weiss Liebman’s soon-to-be-released book is brilliant. In “The Dressmaker's Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family's Secret,” the author outlines not just a family secret that would one day be thrust into the spotlight, but also provides readers with all of the background that one needs to understand the story within context.
As a scientist, the author has expertise in genetic testing and is now a fierce advocate for genetic screening. The family stories that Weiss Liebman tells reminds me of some of the same family secrets that festered in my own family, namely, my great-grandfather. Like the author’s uncle, the real cause of my great-grandfather’s death was covered up when he died in 1940 at the age of just forty-six years old. My grandfather—who was estranged from his father—always believed that he himself would die at a young age because his father did. Long after my grandfather died, I learned that my great-grandfather didn’t die from “accidentally” hitting his head at work—-but from meningovascular syphilis that eventually forced his second wife to commit him to a state hospital.
The author discusses in detail the social stigmas associated with genetic diseases. And while my great-grandfather’s death resulted from an illness that was not genetic, it was a combination of shame and fear that caused both of our families to hide the true causes of death.
What I really love about this book is that the author takes great pains to introduce readers to her cultural background. Besides the text, Weiss Liebman included two appendixes, chapter endnotes, photographs, a Glossary of Jewish Words, and a Glossary of Scientific and Medical Terms.
The author’s description of academic life really resonated with me, as I come from a similar background. But the author was really thoughtful in writing this text by ensuring that her inclusion of scientific information could be understood by, I believe, the vast majority of educated readers.
Weiss Liebman’s passion for genetic testing was born out of her and her family’s own personal losses, and those losses will become a gain for many readers. I’ve had some training in genetics, but it is not my expertise. With the author’s explanations, I was able to really understand the importance of genetic screening and from the author I learned that I can actually bank my DNA for my relative’s future possible research—something that I most definitely will be investing in.
I love that the author included a family chart at the beginning of the book because this really helped me to place family members in context. The author has a deep and unyielding faith, but it is one that is inspiring and not overburdened by dogmas. Weiss Liebman did a fantastic job of explaining both Jewish traditions and Jewish religious concepts for gentile readers.
I can see this book quickly becoming required reading for undergraduate and graduate science courses in colleges, especially in the United States. I’m not currently teaching, but if I was, I would undoubtedly use this book as part of my course. I strongly encourage the publishers to target colleges in their marketing campaigns.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone, and especially to those who are interested in history, medicine, and disease. It is well written, sensitive, and thoughtful. Weiss Liebman deserves an A+!
I received an ARC of “The Dressmaker's Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family's Secret” by Susan Weiss Liebman from NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
As a scientist, the author has expertise in genetic testing and is now a fierce advocate for genetic screening. The family stories that Weiss Liebman tells reminds me of some of the same family secrets that festered in my own family, namely, my great-grandfather. Like the author’s uncle, the real cause of my great-grandfather’s death was covered up when he died in 1940 at the age of just forty-six years old. My grandfather—who was estranged from his father—always believed that he himself would die at a young age because his father did. Long after my grandfather died, I learned that my great-grandfather didn’t die from “accidentally” hitting his head at work—-but from meningovascular syphilis that eventually forced his second wife to commit him to a state hospital.
The author discusses in detail the social stigmas associated with genetic diseases. And while my great-grandfather’s death resulted from an illness that was not genetic, it was a combination of shame and fear that caused both of our families to hide the true causes of death.
What I really love about this book is that the author takes great pains to introduce readers to her cultural background. Besides the text, Weiss Liebman included two appendixes, chapter endnotes, photographs, a Glossary of Jewish Words, and a Glossary of Scientific and Medical Terms.
The author’s description of academic life really resonated with me, as I come from a similar background. But the author was really thoughtful in writing this text by ensuring that her inclusion of scientific information could be understood by, I believe, the vast majority of educated readers.
Weiss Liebman’s passion for genetic testing was born out of her and her family’s own personal losses, and those losses will become a gain for many readers. I’ve had some training in genetics, but it is not my expertise. With the author’s explanations, I was able to really understand the importance of genetic screening and from the author I learned that I can actually bank my DNA for my relative’s future possible research—something that I most definitely will be investing in.
I love that the author included a family chart at the beginning of the book because this really helped me to place family members in context. The author has a deep and unyielding faith, but it is one that is inspiring and not overburdened by dogmas. Weiss Liebman did a fantastic job of explaining both Jewish traditions and Jewish religious concepts for gentile readers.
I can see this book quickly becoming required reading for undergraduate and graduate science courses in colleges, especially in the United States. I’m not currently teaching, but if I was, I would undoubtedly use this book as part of my course. I strongly encourage the publishers to target colleges in their marketing campaigns.
I absolutely recommend this book to everyone, and especially to those who are interested in history, medicine, and disease. It is well written, sensitive, and thoughtful. Weiss Liebman deserves an A+!
I received an ARC of “The Dressmaker's Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family's Secret” by Susan Weiss Liebman from NetGalley and Rowman & Littlefield Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2025
Susan Weiss Liebman is a professor emerita in genetics; her 2024 book The Dressmaker's Mirror details her family's story of genetic predisposition to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (in lay language: the heart failing because its walls become too thick and rigid) and sudden cardiac death due to a hereditary pathogenic mutation in the FLNC (folliculin) gene that's not uncommon in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. The family's investigation was prompted by the tragic death of Weiss Liebman's 36-year-old pregnant niece in 2008, and through modern genetic testing, this mutation was traced back through the paternal line likely explaining why many generations of the author's family died prematurely from heart issues.
As a physician in the molecular diagnostics space, I enjoyed the scientific and medical aspects of this book, which Weiss Liebman describes well (for the most part) -- it's true that clinical genetics has come a very long way since 2008. Many families have had similar diagnostic odysseys in the last few decades where the procurement of genetic data predated current knowledge bases that delayed the proper classification of familial variants and therefore actionability of these findings. I will note that the author isn't a clinical geneticist with a clinical board certification, so her knowledge of clinical genetics laboratory practices is incomplete at times, like when she mentions toward the end of the book that clinical labs test patient samples multiple times to be sure of the result (that's not a common practice -- for the vast majority, it's one-and-done).
I found myself less engaged in the memoiristic aspects of the book - often, these veered into overly detailed and precious reminisces that lost my attention. I read a lot of memoirs and generally appreciate incisiveness, distillation, and maturation in their narrative arcs, rather than extensive accounts of childhood memories that I'm sure are gratifying for the author and their family but of less or no interest to the general public.
Further reading: human impact of genetic predisposition
A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery by Lawrence Ingrassia
Pandora's DNA: Tracing the Breast Cancer Genes Through History, Science, and One Family Tree by Lizzie Stark
The Family Gene: A Mission to Turn My Deadly Inheritance into a Hopeful Future by Joselin Linder
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them by Gina Kolata
My statistics:
Book 294 for 2025
Book 2220 cumulatively
As a physician in the molecular diagnostics space, I enjoyed the scientific and medical aspects of this book, which Weiss Liebman describes well (for the most part) -- it's true that clinical genetics has come a very long way since 2008. Many families have had similar diagnostic odysseys in the last few decades where the procurement of genetic data predated current knowledge bases that delayed the proper classification of familial variants and therefore actionability of these findings. I will note that the author isn't a clinical geneticist with a clinical board certification, so her knowledge of clinical genetics laboratory practices is incomplete at times, like when she mentions toward the end of the book that clinical labs test patient samples multiple times to be sure of the result (that's not a common practice -- for the vast majority, it's one-and-done).
I found myself less engaged in the memoiristic aspects of the book - often, these veered into overly detailed and precious reminisces that lost my attention. I read a lot of memoirs and generally appreciate incisiveness, distillation, and maturation in their narrative arcs, rather than extensive accounts of childhood memories that I'm sure are gratifying for the author and their family but of less or no interest to the general public.
Further reading: human impact of genetic predisposition
A Fatal Inheritance: How a Family Misfortune Revealed a Deadly Medical Mystery by Lawrence Ingrassia
Pandora's DNA: Tracing the Breast Cancer Genes Through History, Science, and One Family Tree by Lizzie Stark
The Family Gene: A Mission to Turn My Deadly Inheritance into a Hopeful Future by Joselin Linder
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them by Gina Kolata
My statistics:
Book 294 for 2025
Book 2220 cumulatively
December 30, 2025
I picked this book up as someone who spent a lot of time thinking about genetics during my PhD (and am a Reno resident like the author). This was an interesting read - I would categorize it as a memoir told through a geneticist’s lens. I liked the way Dr. Liebman wrote about her family, her life, and her impressive scientific career. She has an engaging, “down to earth” writing style that is accessible to those with and without a science background. I found the genetic story woven through her family tree to be fascinating, especially the “twist” at the end where the dressmakers mirror was found to be a total red herring. I am not yet convinced that genetic screening at the population level is prudent for several reasons (interpretive tools needing improvement, risk of over treatment, cost of follow up testing etc.), but I think Dr. Liebman has certainly made the case for the importance of genetic testing in situations like that of her family’s. Overall an enjoyable and thoughtful read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
This is an excellent book. One that explains clearly and cohesively the minefield that is genetic screening and testing. I picked it up because I have an FLNC genetic mutation and dilated cardiomyopathy. Like the author my genetic research team is not always great at communicating, but they recently shared this article with me and told me I should: "read all about your genetic mutation", following a recently updated panel.
I consider myself lucky, I was diagnosed when my EF was around 23% in my late-20s, but I did not move forward with genetic testing for around 5 years. I come from a family with a genetic history of cardiovascular disease. But it was not until I had to give a medical history to a new provider after a relocation that my family history (several early deaths & family members with arrythmias) became clinically relevant enough to support insurer-provided testing. That happened a little over 5 years ago and they found the FLNC gene mutation. Prior to finding this mutation, I was described as having "Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy". It was a constant concern that there was no cause for a seemingly healthy (not overweight, relatively active, normal) young adult to have had multiple severe (thankfully not fatal) cardiac events in a period of under 3 years under monitor.
As much as genetic testing revealed a problem that I will carry for the rest of my life, it also released a burden from my parents. I was an active child, but I was frequently ill. If someone was sick in class, I would catch it immediately. I had numerous rounds of pneumonia, quarterly strep infections, and every flu/cold that tore through playgrounds and classrooms. If someone was sick and in school, within a week I would catch whatever they had, far more frequently than all of my peers. Initially my clinicians thought it was related to one of these long-ago illnesses. When going through records for a deep dive into my medical history, I found an abnormal EKG from my childhood. We were all under the assumption that it began after a childhood illness and had never been properly followed up following a family relocation.
Finding out that the cause of my cardiomyopathy, and indeed the very EKG results from so long ago might have a genetic cause was revelatory. It provided an explanation for the pain, lack of breath, sleep, and constant exhaustion I carried for close to a decade. More than anything the resolution of my mystery was fulfilling. It is probably why I connected so deeply with the mystery outlined in this story.
At the heart of The Dressmaker's Mirror is this mystery, the mystery of hidden family secrets, the mystery of cardiovascular dysfunction, the mystery of early death. I connected with this intensely. There are numerous unknowns in my own family tree so walking alongside a geneticist to uncover these was like walking through my own unknowable past.
My family still has many secrets to discuss. Our mapping of this dysfunction is just beginning, but thanks to Susan Weiss Liebman I now have a map to follow. Thank you for this excellent and well-written book. I would recommend it to any and all who are curious about the genetic mysteries in their own family trees.
I consider myself lucky, I was diagnosed when my EF was around 23% in my late-20s, but I did not move forward with genetic testing for around 5 years. I come from a family with a genetic history of cardiovascular disease. But it was not until I had to give a medical history to a new provider after a relocation that my family history (several early deaths & family members with arrythmias) became clinically relevant enough to support insurer-provided testing. That happened a little over 5 years ago and they found the FLNC gene mutation. Prior to finding this mutation, I was described as having "Idiopathic Cardiomyopathy". It was a constant concern that there was no cause for a seemingly healthy (not overweight, relatively active, normal) young adult to have had multiple severe (thankfully not fatal) cardiac events in a period of under 3 years under monitor.
As much as genetic testing revealed a problem that I will carry for the rest of my life, it also released a burden from my parents. I was an active child, but I was frequently ill. If someone was sick in class, I would catch it immediately. I had numerous rounds of pneumonia, quarterly strep infections, and every flu/cold that tore through playgrounds and classrooms. If someone was sick and in school, within a week I would catch whatever they had, far more frequently than all of my peers. Initially my clinicians thought it was related to one of these long-ago illnesses. When going through records for a deep dive into my medical history, I found an abnormal EKG from my childhood. We were all under the assumption that it began after a childhood illness and had never been properly followed up following a family relocation.
Finding out that the cause of my cardiomyopathy, and indeed the very EKG results from so long ago might have a genetic cause was revelatory. It provided an explanation for the pain, lack of breath, sleep, and constant exhaustion I carried for close to a decade. More than anything the resolution of my mystery was fulfilling. It is probably why I connected so deeply with the mystery outlined in this story.
At the heart of The Dressmaker's Mirror is this mystery, the mystery of hidden family secrets, the mystery of cardiovascular dysfunction, the mystery of early death. I connected with this intensely. There are numerous unknowns in my own family tree so walking alongside a geneticist to uncover these was like walking through my own unknowable past.
My family still has many secrets to discuss. Our mapping of this dysfunction is just beginning, but thanks to Susan Weiss Liebman I now have a map to follow. Thank you for this excellent and well-written book. I would recommend it to any and all who are curious about the genetic mysteries in their own family trees.
November 28, 2024
Susan Liebman’s The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a deeply moving memoir blended with a fascinating exploration of genetics and its implications for personal and family health. What begins as a tragic and mysterious family history unfolds into a powerful journey of scientific discovery, resilience, and advocacy. Liebman’s personal and professional experiences as a mother, geneticist, and “medical detective” weave together a narrative that is equal parts heart-wrenching and illuminating.
The book’s emotional core stems from the sudden death of Liebman’s young niece, a tragedy that sets the author on a path to uncover the genetic roots of a familial mutation linked to heart failure. As she recounts generations of sorrow and resilience, Liebman simultaneously delves into the science of genetics, explaining the significance of genetic testing and its potential to save lives. The author strikes a delicate balance between personal storytelling and scientific education, making complex genetic concepts accessible and relatable to readers without losing the gravity of her family’s struggles.
One of the book’s most striking revelations is the story behind the title. Liebman uncovers a long-hidden family secret: her uncle’s supposed death from a falling dressmaker’s mirror was, in reality, caused by heart failure—a truth her grandparents concealed to protect their other children’s futures. This discovery poignantly underscores the stigma and fear that have long surrounded genetic illness and the ways families cope with uncertainty.
Liebman’s discussion of genetic testing is both practical and thought-provoking. She highlights the importance of testing for families with histories of genetic illness and explains how these tools can inform preventive care and improve outcomes. She also addresses the broader debate over universal genetic screening, thoughtfully presenting both the potential benefits and ethical concerns. Her expertise and passion shine through, making a compelling case for the transformative power of genetics in medicine.
At its heart, The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a testament to the courage it takes to confront family history and use science to change the narrative. Liebman’s blend of personal insight and professional expertise creates a story that is both deeply human and scientifically enlightening. It is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics, family health, or the power of knowledge to shape our destinies.
The book’s emotional core stems from the sudden death of Liebman’s young niece, a tragedy that sets the author on a path to uncover the genetic roots of a familial mutation linked to heart failure. As she recounts generations of sorrow and resilience, Liebman simultaneously delves into the science of genetics, explaining the significance of genetic testing and its potential to save lives. The author strikes a delicate balance between personal storytelling and scientific education, making complex genetic concepts accessible and relatable to readers without losing the gravity of her family’s struggles.
One of the book’s most striking revelations is the story behind the title. Liebman uncovers a long-hidden family secret: her uncle’s supposed death from a falling dressmaker’s mirror was, in reality, caused by heart failure—a truth her grandparents concealed to protect their other children’s futures. This discovery poignantly underscores the stigma and fear that have long surrounded genetic illness and the ways families cope with uncertainty.
Liebman’s discussion of genetic testing is both practical and thought-provoking. She highlights the importance of testing for families with histories of genetic illness and explains how these tools can inform preventive care and improve outcomes. She also addresses the broader debate over universal genetic screening, thoughtfully presenting both the potential benefits and ethical concerns. Her expertise and passion shine through, making a compelling case for the transformative power of genetics in medicine.
At its heart, The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a testament to the courage it takes to confront family history and use science to change the narrative. Liebman’s blend of personal insight and professional expertise creates a story that is both deeply human and scientifically enlightening. It is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics, family health, or the power of knowledge to shape our destinies.
January 24, 2026
Each chapter begins with a quote, I found this one to be quite profound: “Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her. But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game.” -Voltaire
Fun fact P. 198, ‘It cost a billion dollars in 2004 for the Human Genome Project to complete the first sequence of a human genome… By 2024, it cost under $500 to sequence an individual human genome.’ Wow, that is mind boggling.
To think that when Mz. Weiss Liebman began her impressive career she was one of the first women educators at university level. In fact, her first day on the job, another professor (male, obviously) assumed she a student and that she needed to take a seat at the back of the class, only for her to self-assuredly explain she was indeed to stand at the front.
Mz. Weiss Liebman went on to achieve many accolades in her career as a geneticist. Her contributions didn’t end with first finding the gene mutations, (which must be like a needle in a field of haystacks). This work became invaluable in protecting people with her familial gene mutation from sudden death.
In conclusion, even the next day, I still am marveling at this book. What a deep love Mz. Weiss Liebman must have for her family, shown through dedicating her life’s work towards finding a possible cure for what ails the ones she loves. Not only that, but once she did crack the code, so-to-say, she hunted down her less immediate family as well, informing them of the mutation found in their genes and what that should mean to them, and still going a step farther by sitting down with pen and paper to share her findings on an even grander scale through writing this book.
One last thing… If I am what I read, then today I am studying to become a geneticist… Have a lovely day!
Please join me for more reviews at www.DanyellesCozyCorner.Con
Fun fact P. 198, ‘It cost a billion dollars in 2004 for the Human Genome Project to complete the first sequence of a human genome… By 2024, it cost under $500 to sequence an individual human genome.’ Wow, that is mind boggling.
To think that when Mz. Weiss Liebman began her impressive career she was one of the first women educators at university level. In fact, her first day on the job, another professor (male, obviously) assumed she a student and that she needed to take a seat at the back of the class, only for her to self-assuredly explain she was indeed to stand at the front.
Mz. Weiss Liebman went on to achieve many accolades in her career as a geneticist. Her contributions didn’t end with first finding the gene mutations, (which must be like a needle in a field of haystacks). This work became invaluable in protecting people with her familial gene mutation from sudden death.
In conclusion, even the next day, I still am marveling at this book. What a deep love Mz. Weiss Liebman must have for her family, shown through dedicating her life’s work towards finding a possible cure for what ails the ones she loves. Not only that, but once she did crack the code, so-to-say, she hunted down her less immediate family as well, informing them of the mutation found in their genes and what that should mean to them, and still going a step farther by sitting down with pen and paper to share her findings on an even grander scale through writing this book.
One last thing… If I am what I read, then today I am studying to become a geneticist… Have a lovely day!
Please join me for more reviews at www.DanyellesCozyCorner.Con
September 30, 2024
I strongly recommend The Dressmaker’s Mirror: Sudden Death, Genetics, and a Jewish Family’s Secret by Susan Weiss Liebman for all readers and not just medical geneticists. This is a fascinating account of the author’s investigation of her secret family history, which included multiple sudden deaths, often at a young age, which led her to discover that the family carried a dominant gene predisposing carriers to cardiomyopathy. As an accomplished academic geneticist, Dr. Weiss Liebman has written a highly accessible book which describes how she tracked down the mutation responsible for these deaths, including how she and her family dealt with this devastating but potentially treatable disease. The book includes a nuanced discussion of the ethical issues involved in testing for genetic diseases, which include a growing spectrum of conditions. This is not an academic treatise, but the endnotes contain a thorough list of scientific references for those who want more information, as well as information about genetic testing, including resources to assist families in deciding whether or not they should be tested for treatable and untreatable genetic disorders.
This book is also a very readable account of growing up in an Ashkenazi family in Brooklyn, and how a young woman became an accomplished geneticist at a time when relatively few female scientists had public visibility. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in human genetics or who just enjoys a good true story.
Michael J. Leibowitz, MD, PhD
Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of California-Davis
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science & American Society for Cell Biology
This book is also a very readable account of growing up in an Ashkenazi family in Brooklyn, and how a young woman became an accomplished geneticist at a time when relatively few female scientists had public visibility. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in human genetics or who just enjoys a good true story.
Michael J. Leibowitz, MD, PhD
Professor, Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of California-Davis
Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science & American Society for Cell Biology
January 18, 2025
Author, Susan Weiss Liebman, comes from an upper middle class, Ashkenazi Jewish, high achieving family living in Brooklyn, NY. She tells us of her family and extended family, how they lived, and what their lives were like growing up in the 1950s and 1960s. There are unusual losses of family members at young ages that cause Susan to be curious about what might be the real cause of these sudden departures. She then trains as a teacher and geneticist; albeit not a human geneticist, but nonetheless becomes a very good researcher leading her to put the puzzle pieces together.
This is a beautifully written tribute and memorial to her family upbringing and heritage as well. I really enjoyed reading about her life and found her story to be so interesting.
The takeaway from this story is that if you should suspect that there might be some type of genetic mutation or illness in your family, which has not been fully realized yet, it is definitely worth the effort to get genetic testing done to help with diagnosing people at an earlier age in order to prevent unnecessary heartache, and possible loss of lives. There might also be a number of treatment programs or medications that can help with the progression of the genetic disease.
Thank you kindly to the Goodreads program, as well as the National Book Network, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this most interesting story that kept my attention for several enjoyable hours.
This is a beautifully written tribute and memorial to her family upbringing and heritage as well. I really enjoyed reading about her life and found her story to be so interesting.
The takeaway from this story is that if you should suspect that there might be some type of genetic mutation or illness in your family, which has not been fully realized yet, it is definitely worth the effort to get genetic testing done to help with diagnosing people at an earlier age in order to prevent unnecessary heartache, and possible loss of lives. There might also be a number of treatment programs or medications that can help with the progression of the genetic disease.
Thank you kindly to the Goodreads program, as well as the National Book Network, for providing me with a complimentary copy of this most interesting story that kept my attention for several enjoyable hours.
December 9, 2024
I am currently about halfway in The Dressmaker's Mirror and am finding it engaging and relevant. Author Susan Weiss Liebman is a detective and scientist, as well as captivating memoirist.
As she writes on page 150, "I love science and find it extremely rewarding to discover
something new even now in the twilight of my career. I also love painting, reading novels, writing, watching movies, having dinner with friends, and spending time with family. And I am the most creative with research ideas after I get away from science for a while."
Anyone who loves a family story can enjoy the journey of this book, and I think we are all well-served when we welcome conversations about illness and death in a context that honors our humanity and dignity.
As a rabbi and Jewish educator, and really just as a Jewish person, what I am enjoying absolutely most about this book is the ways in which Dr. Liebman's Jewish identity expresses itself on the page. The Yiddish proverb, quotation from the Talmud, the verse from pslams all for me enhance my relationship with both the book and its author.
I'll come back and update my review when I've finished reading this important book.
In the meantime, I think it would be a wonderful read for a book club, a congregational read, medical and nursing students, and anyone involved in health care.
As she writes on page 150, "I love science and find it extremely rewarding to discover
something new even now in the twilight of my career. I also love painting, reading novels, writing, watching movies, having dinner with friends, and spending time with family. And I am the most creative with research ideas after I get away from science for a while."
Anyone who loves a family story can enjoy the journey of this book, and I think we are all well-served when we welcome conversations about illness and death in a context that honors our humanity and dignity.
As a rabbi and Jewish educator, and really just as a Jewish person, what I am enjoying absolutely most about this book is the ways in which Dr. Liebman's Jewish identity expresses itself on the page. The Yiddish proverb, quotation from the Talmud, the verse from pslams all for me enhance my relationship with both the book and its author.
I'll come back and update my review when I've finished reading this important book.
In the meantime, I think it would be a wonderful read for a book club, a congregational read, medical and nursing students, and anyone involved in health care.
April 28, 2024
When Susan Liebman’s niece collapsed and died, she was horrified to read the autopsy report that showed that the cause of death might have been inherited, putting the entire extended family at risk. As a mother, she prayed that her own children would not be affected. But as a geneticist, she turned medical detective and was determined to hunt down the rogue gene.
The trail led back a hundred years to unravel the stories behind the death of her uncle. Too frightened to confront the truth, the family had embarked on a massive cover-up, pretending Eugene died in an accident.
Decades later, with the discovery of DNA, Eugene’s niece worked tirelessly to enter the competitive and highly specialised field of genetics when barely a handful of women could make a successful career from it.
I find it incredible that Susan Liebman could use her scientific expertise to help her own family and potentially save the lives of thousands of others by advocating for genetic testing. And I hope this book will inspire other young women to study STEM subjects.
Susan Liebman writes fluent, engaging, and polished prose, and The Dressmaker’s Mirror was a pleasure to read. I was an early reader of this book.
The trail led back a hundred years to unravel the stories behind the death of her uncle. Too frightened to confront the truth, the family had embarked on a massive cover-up, pretending Eugene died in an accident.
Decades later, with the discovery of DNA, Eugene’s niece worked tirelessly to enter the competitive and highly specialised field of genetics when barely a handful of women could make a successful career from it.
I find it incredible that Susan Liebman could use her scientific expertise to help her own family and potentially save the lives of thousands of others by advocating for genetic testing. And I hope this book will inspire other young women to study STEM subjects.
Susan Liebman writes fluent, engaging, and polished prose, and The Dressmaker’s Mirror was a pleasure to read. I was an early reader of this book.
December 15, 2024
When the author's family keeps having deaths much too young, including a beloved pregnant niece she starts putting together the pieces of her sterling genetics career and a fascinating Jewish background. Her biography is so interesting as she was a leader for her times. Her parents supported her through the top science schools which was unusual for those times as many didn't for girls in those days sadly.
She managed to put together a fantastic life, career, marriage with children and grandchildren. Once she lost her niece after her father, and so many others, including a 4 year old uncle she never met.
She put it all together and started a search for the DNA component that hits so few of the Ashkenazi which is described so well in this autobiography combined in this genetics description.
Fantastically interesting.
She managed to put together a fantastic life, career, marriage with children and grandchildren. Once she lost her niece after her father, and so many others, including a 4 year old uncle she never met.
She put it all together and started a search for the DNA component that hits so few of the Ashkenazi which is described so well in this autobiography combined in this genetics description.
Fantastically interesting.
January 20, 2026
A very important story about a possibly fatal genetic issue. A very good audio narrator who tried her best to live up this pretty dry writing.
Unfortunately, I found the author being, probably. a much better scientist than a writer.
The lengthy family stories were unoriginal and boring even though I am.am Ashkenazi Jew and usually like family sagas. The tedious genealogy explanation did not grab me even though I am very interested in Jewish genealogy.
I wish this author had teamed up with an actual science writer or journalist and a competent literary editor rather than telling her story herself.
In comparison, consider the book by the journalist, not a scientist, Masha Gessen "Blood Matters" which dealt with a somewhat similar subject (a genetic mutation, family tragedies, Jewish genetics, history and genealogy etc) which I had found absolutely riveting
Unfortunately, I found the author being, probably. a much better scientist than a writer.
The lengthy family stories were unoriginal and boring even though I am.am Ashkenazi Jew and usually like family sagas. The tedious genealogy explanation did not grab me even though I am very interested in Jewish genealogy.
I wish this author had teamed up with an actual science writer or journalist and a competent literary editor rather than telling her story herself.
In comparison, consider the book by the journalist, not a scientist, Masha Gessen "Blood Matters" which dealt with a somewhat similar subject (a genetic mutation, family tragedies, Jewish genetics, history and genealogy etc) which I had found absolutely riveting
September 11, 2024
This was an interesting read that is not easily categorized. And that is the issue that I had with this book. Is it a memoir or is it a book on genetics? In fact it is both and I appreciate that the author did her best to present it as such, but for me as a reader, I found it somewhat frustrating. For the reader who has a more informed interest in science and genetic issues, this book will be a gem. For the reader interested in the book as a memoir that reveals "secrets" it will be a little disappointing. I do wish she'd put more of a spotlight on the "why" behind the so-called secrets.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I hope it finds a slew of readers that are able to fully appreciate it.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. I hope it finds a slew of readers that are able to fully appreciate it.
April 8, 2025
This book was exceptionally well written. The story was compelling as it was a true history of a geneticist searching for answers that can explain her own families deadly gene mutation. This information can in turn help save lives of others that may also carry this gene.
The author/ geneticist includes her own family’s health struggles, losses and loves which roped me in, even through the scientific language.
A solid read.
The author/ geneticist includes her own family’s health struggles, losses and loves which roped me in, even through the scientific language.
A solid read.
November 3, 2024
I found the author's book very interesting regarding genetics
Susan's story weaves her Jewish heritage as she tells us in her own story that becomes a lifelong search for the genetic code for Cardiomyopathy "Sudden Death" . She gives us an insight to her family history and her road to discovery.
Susan's story weaves her Jewish heritage as she tells us in her own story that becomes a lifelong search for the genetic code for Cardiomyopathy "Sudden Death" . She gives us an insight to her family history and her road to discovery.
November 29, 2024
Not what I expected. It is more of an autobiography/memoir than it was the search for a cause of sudden death in the family. The bio parts seemed to lack emotion and the genetics was oretty complex.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Rowman and Littlefield for providing a digital copy.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Rowman and Littlefield for providing a digital copy.
January 23, 2026
A wonderful story about family and an excellent story about medicine. Well written and engaging, an inspirational and educational novel. Easy to understand the genetics and to appreciate the importance of genetic test testing. Highly recommended.
February 9, 2025
Interesting, but for me, it lacked focus. There was far too much minutiae of Weiss Liebman s family that had little relevance.
February 16, 2025
True story of the authors family and their hereditary heart disease that wasn’t discovered for many generations. The author is a geneticist and that’s how it was discovered.
March 26, 2025
The gist of this story could have been told in one chapter. The rest of the family history is just that - a family history that would be of interest primarily to the family.
April 19, 2025
Ebook. Quick read. Devastating content. Impressive family response to a devastating mutation. This book is the tip of the iceberg. We are much more capable of finding genes.
June 4, 2025
Dr. Liebman is a convincing advocate for early genetic disease testing in vulnerable communities.
July 6, 2025
Family genetics are at the heart of this book. The story is wonderfully told.
July 19, 2025
I learned a lot from this book, interesting read
November 11, 2024
I was captivated by The Dressmaker's Mirror by Dr. Susan Liebman, a poignant and skillfully woven narrative that intertwines a family’s heartbreaking history with the complexities of genetis. This book follows Liebman, a geneticist, as she dives into her family’s tragic past following the sudden death of her 36-year-old niece who was pregnant at the time. This loss spurs her on a journey of discovery, unveiling a deadly heart disease gene mutation that has haunted her family across generations.
Liebman’s storytelling is gripping—her portrayal of her family’s sorrowful legacy and the gradual unraveling of the mystery is both emotional and enlightening. The way she intersperses the family’s personal stories with scientific insights creates a balance that makes genetics accessible and engaging, while giving a face to the impact of hereditary diseases on those they touch. I loved how she pieced together the historical family tragedies in with the science.
This book is both an intriguing detective story and a meaningful exploration of genetic science, especially in its focus on the mutation that affects 1 in 800 Ashkenazi Jews. The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics, family history, or personal stories of resilience in the face of generational loss.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my authentic review, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy true stories that blend science with family secrets.
Liebman’s storytelling is gripping—her portrayal of her family’s sorrowful legacy and the gradual unraveling of the mystery is both emotional and enlightening. The way she intersperses the family’s personal stories with scientific insights creates a balance that makes genetics accessible and engaging, while giving a face to the impact of hereditary diseases on those they touch. I loved how she pieced together the historical family tragedies in with the science.
This book is both an intriguing detective story and a meaningful exploration of genetic science, especially in its focus on the mutation that affects 1 in 800 Ashkenazi Jews. The Dressmaker’s Mirror is a must-read for anyone interested in genetics, family history, or personal stories of resilience in the face of generational loss.
I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my authentic review, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy true stories that blend science with family secrets.
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