A Short Drink of Water

by Mara Altman

The word pops up anywhere exaggerations are sold. Telling a tall tale. Placing a tall order. Tall, dark, and handsome. And, of course, let’s not forget the proverbial “tall drink of water”. This bothers Mara Altman, and not only because she’s five-foot-zero, but also because her experience as a journalist, humorist, and essayist has led her to challenge assumptions about human existence. Altman’s most recent book, Gross Anatomy: Dispatches from the Front (and Back), was a 2019 finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor, and wittily dissected long-held assumptions about our bodies for the deeper truth. Her conclusion: There is greatness in our grossness.

In her Audible Original A Short Drink of Water, Altman challenges the assumption that taller is better. Her journey to empower those at the short end of the stick (and why is it always the short end?) delivers a hilarious and heartfelt look at the differences between tall and short and how people seek to narrow them both physically and psychologically. You’ll meet people of every size and opinion in this deeply reported and richly comical ride through a world where every inch counts.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Humor, Memoir

Audiobook

Published December 9, 2021

Reviews

[Elyse Walters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible ….written and read by Mara Altman
….1 hour and 35 minutes

CALLING ALL *SHORT* PEOPLE….
Anyone, male or female, who is 5 feet 2 inches (that’s me), or shorter - will rally like a cheerleader for short people….
The author highlights a few desirable characteristics for shortness.

CALLING ALL *TALL* PEOPLE…
…note….
this non-fiction tale ….
….autobiographical….
….informative
….well researched
…..doesn’t salute ‘Tall-Stature as better -or more powerful ….

This little audio-podcast is a gem….
hilarious- warm-heartening fun….
Better then I expected- filled with fascinating things to think about — in regards to HEIGHT Bias.
And FUNNY to boot!!
but…
SERIOUSLY….
Tall people have been handed privileges just for being tall!

Communal bias in our society regarding height is real.
Haha— that said — I’d love to have TALL GORGEOUSLY shaped -sexy toned LONG legs in my next lifetime…

But for now (this lifetime) -my short mountain climbing legs have been a kind to me —-
They WORK — and are strong enough — so no serious complaints about them being SHORT —

Mara Altman shares real life experiences — people of every size — examining the differences between tall and short people —both physically and psychologically.

Great humor …
Wonderful storytelling…
Enlightening realism …

WORTH LISTENING!!
….free for Audible members. 🚶‍♀️

[Isabelle reads a book a day because she has no friends · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet (no pun intended). I am a tiny, hairy lady much like Mara Altman herself, so it’s really no surprise that I love her works about being tiny and hairy.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Thoroughly.

[Beth Lind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, funny and not short sighted at all.

[Daedalos · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a 6'6" white, cis-gender, straight male - it's delusional of me to not know how being on the other side of bias feels like.

Great perspective regarding height diversity.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrated by the author herself, this was a short and humourous listen that raised some pertinent questions about body image issues for those not 'blessed' with height!

Recalling how her parents panicked when they saw how much smaller than her peers were at 12, she talks about getting growth hormones injected to help her 'achieve' maximum height. While she was always wondering why it was considered so much better to be tall, it was when her children were born that she began to research this question and also that of treatments like the ones she had more thoroughly.

Why do people look up (of course literally but also otherwise!) at taller people? If there is no medical issue with a person's height should they be given hormones just to help 'improve their chances of being normal'? She very wittily presents her case for shorter people while relating her interviews with really tall ones and a doctor who has actually performed a surgery to help his patient gain height!

Society's biases cannot be corrected by changing our physiology as she says and this is a good look at yet another pre conceived idea of how everyone should look that has led to many of us shorter people feeling inadequate!

[Jude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I've been the recipient of "short" jokes me entire life, especially recently as I transitioned to a new job. I thought that the Army had moved past these jokes, but I was mistaken. I've had to confront people about the heightism jokes and bring awareness to the notion that the jokes aren't funny and aren't welcome. I work with someone who is constantly making references to his height (he's taller than average) and other people's height. I hope that more books like these are published so that the proper awareness is given to how shorter people are continually made to feel inferior in our society.

[Allana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this way more than I thought I was going to.

This was a funny, well researched and interesting take on height, some reasons why we (humans) value it and the many intended and unintended consequences of this preference. It’s short and well worth the time.

[Alysha Stehly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! As someone about the same height, I can relate to everything she says. Things I haven’t th fought about she mentions and now have me laughing when I run into those situations in real life.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is charming, funny and thought provoking. An uplifting nudge that encourages us to take a look at how we view ourselves and others that cohabit our world. I highly recommend the audiobook, listening to the author is part of the delight.

[January · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m 5’2’’ and have never wanted to be taller. Except maybe when I’m home alone, standing on a poorly constructed makeshift step stool, reaching for something waaay up high. I think, this is how I’m going to die. But, excluding those situations, I’ve never wished I was taller.

This is a brief and funny look at being short in a society that values height.

[Jeanna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely SHORT listen
Wow, my above comment tried to make a funny pun so please take it that way because I loved this. I myself am considered short. I’m a whopping inch and a half taller than the author. At 5 foot 1 and a half (yes I’ve always felt I needed to add that in) I have had short comments most of my life. And now as an adult I don’t feel as bad about it. But you can bet in high school hardly anyone saw me without heels on. My poor feet.

This was witty, insightful at times a little sad. Overall fabulous and I m going to tell everyone they should have a listen. We do live in a world where tall is better I hear it in my kids. My daughter we know will be taller than me which is great, but she already at 9 years old wishes she’ll get to 5’7, sorry that’s not gonna happen.

I loved that she spoke with the taller guy it was funny and I could totally see why he’s the life of any party. It was a little sad listening to the man that had the leg extension surgery. It’s great that he’s happy but not being about to play sports or run doesn’t seem good enough for me. But then again being short for a woman is hugely different than a man. Coming from a short family I get it. My brother and really myself too had to learn to be tough. If you can hold your own people will treat you better.

I can 100% say I’d listen to this again. For a laugh or just to feel like I’m m not alone in my … shortcomings 😉

[Sofia Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and thought-provoking. Mara Altman's book about being short outlines the author's journey with growth hormones, societal biases about tall and short people, and funny insights into the way the world works. I've never thought too much about being short- just mostly groveled at the fact that I can't reach tall shelves, get crushed in crowds, and can never see at concerts. Altman relates in her book to many of these things that I've had to deal with, and looks more into how height changes things. Some of the funniest portions of the book included her interview with 6'8" Jeff, who faced life-threatening health complications because of his height but ultimately adores how his height provides him better networking opportunities, and her interview with a man who underwent height lengthening surgery. He couldn't exercise for years but still said he'd choose his height over anything else. Our desperation to be tall and the significant advantages taller people face is something I've never thought too much about, even being short all my life.

[Przemek Krydka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and smart. This book talks about society’s prejudices and the urge to use genetic engineering - another term for eugenics - to eliminate personal traits that a society or culture perceives as undesirable. This would effectively reduce the society's diversity. Physical height is the central trait discussed in the book, but the reader can quickly discern that the conversation is much broader. The book ends on a cautious note about genetic engineering and author’s thoughts on why the society was, and remains, unequipped to accept diversity. She cautions some people see medicine, surgery, and genetics as a solution to the human condition. I firmly agree this shouldn’t be our way into the future. Finally, this book made me pause multiple times, and collect a copious quantity of citations. As someone who, through my national origin, has experienced multiple instances of direct prejudice in my life, I think this book is an excellent ramp into a much broader and urgently needed conversation on prejudice and discrimination. An enthusiastic 5 out of 5.

[Katie P · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved Mara ever since I read her first book and laughed out loud on an airplane. I follow her on Instagram and appreciate her openness and weirdness and just overall life. So, I knew I was going to plow through this short audiobook while waiting for a plane (apparently planes and airports and my designated reading spots for Mara Altman).

I found this one interesting, but less funny than the first. But being able to hear her voice felt like listening to an old friend practice an SOS (Special Occasion Speaking) speech from my high school days. That being said, it was an entertaining and well researched book about an interesting topic: what's so great about being tall - socially, societally, and genetically? And, is worth risking unknown long term effects to reach a socially desired height? Yes? No? Why or why not?

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“…either way, I’d still be hemming my pants…”

What would be the make up of the perfect individual if we had to design by entire world committee? Should we actually look on religious books for these previous examples?! I’m still torn over the fine line between the difficulties of being criticised, and the recognition similar traits in others for an understanding connection, but this will always be a judgement call of course.

Some funny elements here, but then also some very sad reflections and thoughts (cosmetic endocrinology is a shocking phrase). Altman tackles it with a wonderful even hand though - definitely an author I’m interested to read more from

[Katie Storer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While told with humor, the author delves into very hard questions about improving a human body. This report delves into the obvious question of short versus tall. But there are a host of other issues that I didn’t consider until listening to this well written life experience.

Questions raised include:
Medically necessary treatments.
Parent-led Eugenics Society.
Long-term effects of drugs/treatments so new that we have no idea what effects these treatments can have on a child 20 years from now.

Yes, I am 5’1.5”. 😄

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Short Drink of Water is a super-short Audible Original, about an hour and a half long. It made me laugh out loud all the way through. Altman does a beautiful job of integrating absurd references and a handful of sexual jokes into her story of life as a short person, making for some huge laughs. Altman’s story is also a poignant commentary on our nearly unrecognized bias against being short. It was one of my most enjoyed reads this year.

[Kry Tiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely an amazing choice! It was hilarious and informational. It really dug into why we see height as something to be strived for. I’m considered short: 5’5”. My mother is short: 5’ even. I have short friends and tall friends and they all have their own opinions!
If you’re wanting something a little light hearted but also makes you wonder, then this is the perfect read! I loved it and I love Mara Altman’s positive outlook! She did a great job with this book!!

[RedReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a 5fter with 2 of my grandparents coming from households so unusually short that they were both known as 'wee (surname)' in their respective towns growing up, this piece really brought home the cultural differences in North America v Ireland/England as I can't really relate to the amount of shortie callouts Altman gets as an adult, and the medical interventions being pushed.
Interesting science.

[Stefania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this audiobook really interesting. It had some really interesting facts and scientific research about puberty and growth, as well as growth hormones. Altman was really reflective, and at times humorous, about her experiences growing as a very short person. I recommend if you just want a short listen to; not long at all, 1hr 30 minutes if you listen at 1x speed.

[disneypal · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a person that is the same height as the author, I could totally relate to this book. I've often thought and said some of the same things she does. I found the information about the ability to have surgery to increase your height rather interesting - who knew that people did this? Very enjoyable book.

[Lewis Ngugi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being small vs being long (height). We always wonder, what if we were tall? Why do we want to be tall? How do you become tall? Can being short saved me from something?

Being “short/small” in height is a gem, the moment we get answers of these questions from the book, you’ll realize that it’s always about questioning the perspective inwardly.

[V8grrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible. At 5’ I never thought much about changing my height but Mara revealed true thoughts as to the issues , funny as they are , short people deal with every day. The stigma is real . Can we change it and do we really need too? This may be a completely different story if written by a male . Thanks Mara

[Ceren · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for less ambiguity about whether tall or short is good or bad. It’s not a moral thing. It just is. I would have appreciated more in-depth analysis of the consequences of one’s height. It read more like someone’s account of why people shouldn’t think “short is worse than tall” but at the same time their own confusion about it.

Overall, I don’t know what to take away from this.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really brought into perspective how everyone (tall or short) deals with different things. I’ve never thought too much about it being medium-tall height, but this quick listen truly opened my eyes (and ears) to how height can affect everything. It’s not always better on the taller side, nor is it on the shorter side. It just..is.

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun, short and informative read/listen. The author, Mara Altman, is also the narrator. She is hilarious. I'm 5'1 so this book got my attention.. but all heights are mentioned and all should give this a read. Aside from laughing so much, I learned some very interesting information, re: medically altering height.

[MC McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: the author is a short female who tries very hard to scientifically breakdown the “why short people suck” social question. I’m not convinced they do suck. We all have to deal with something when we are outside of some average or norm. Decent listen while cooking dinner. Narrator/author doesn’t rant and is well spoken.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great quick read that takes an interesting look at what it is like to be short and the societal expectations and cultural implications. As a pretty short person, I enjoyed listening to this essay and found it funny and relatable.

[Tihare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great listen. Makes me wonder as to why what we see as "normal" has to be a certain height and weight and facial structures, if we're all supposed to be "unique" how can we fit into a world that has already set ways for beauty to be accepted?