Well, all I can say is, her explanations of how the baby grew in the uterus, and physical complications of pregnancy, and, most importantly, how to care for a baby and her descriptions of normal baby behaviour, got me through parenting for the first time. I had no experience (or liking) for babies before I had my own so I had no idea what to do or what normal baby behaviour was. Some of what she wrote did not fit my circumstances but then she is not alone in writing things I find ludicrous. Every pg book I have read talks about birthing aids - ??????? Having done it 4 times, I can safely say, the idea of oils, music, massages etc in labour is complete nonsense to me, as is the idea that I give a toss whether dh has food to eat (sorry dh!) The only aid I needed to give birth was the encouragement of the MWs that all was going well and progress was being made. So, yes, she worte some things I found ludicrous, but, as I said, she also taught me how to care for my baby and what to expect in pg and labour, so I don't think she is all bad.
I have to say, I have no idea what Gina Ford (?) has to say about childcare but I bet I think a lot of it is nonsense. Ditto, I would love Annabel whatever-her-name-is (Karmel?) to come and make pizza faces with my children or broccoli sheep or lentil hedgehogs or any other of her daft ideas for getting children to eat vegetables and then watch them turn their noses up at them. Does she really think making food into pretty pictures will overcome a child's aversion to certain tastes?
Sorry, rant over. Just needed to vent.