Forty Years to Life by Brenda Bradford Ward is a thought-provoking, insightful, and compassionate book that explores the life of people who experience a gender identity opposite to the sexual organs they are born with. As a male-to-female transgender person who transitioned late in life, Ward is deeply familiar with gender identity. This volume discusses her poignant personal memories and serves simultaneously as a memoir, a well-cited academic discourse, and a Christian spiritual journey that will inspire and enlighten those who misunderstand the nature of this condition.

Ward examines her personal struggles alongside historical and religious viewpoints, as well as medical, legal, and spiritual considerations of gender identity and the role that modern societies play in exacerbating the conflicts that people experience. The text closes with an articulate and detailed program that the author feels would effectively address most aspects of the issue, hoping that universal early intervention in the least traumatic way feasible will bring relief to the greatest number of gender-conflicted people possible.

The author’s writing style is elegant and eloquent, making the book a pleasure to read. The book is a clarion call to deepen the universal understanding of gender identity and to dispel the confusion surrounding the issue. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of gender identity and the struggles that transgender people face. The author’s book could prove to be an important step in addressing this issue and promoting a more inclusive society.

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