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Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I am fascinated by "For her own good". I had heard of some outrageous "treatments" prescribed to women in the past, but this book gives a broader view of the social and economic movements of the past 150 years and how they affected women. I had never imagined that science would betray women, becoming an instrument of their subordination! I was revolted by the arrogance and obtusity of some "experts" as portrayed in this book. As a college student, how could I not be outraged by reading that "she [woman] has a head almost too small for intellect but just big enough for love" (from a 1849 obstetrics text) ??? One cannot help wondering, after reading this book, whether women are finally free to shape their own destiny and role in society. It would be great, indeed, to see an updated edition of this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: Read it!
Review: I am fascinated by "For her own good". I had heard of some outrageous "treatments" prescribed to women in the past, but this book gives a broader view of the social and economic movements of the past 150 years and how they affected women. I had never imagined that science would betray women, becoming an instrument of their subordination! I was revolted by the arrogance and obtusity of some "experts" as portrayed in this book. As a college student, how could I not be outraged by reading that "she [woman] has a head almost too small for intellect but just big enough for love" (from a 1849 obstetrics text) ??? One cannot help wondering, after reading this book, whether women are finally free to shape their own destiny and role in society. It would be great, indeed, to see an updated edition of this excellent book.
Rating:
Summary: After 20 years, I still think about this book.
Review: I read For Her Own Good in college but this book still sticks with me. It's funny, because I haven't gone back to reread it. Yet the historical perspectives it had given me has allowed me to be more thoughtfully critical of the articles I read now and the decisions I make with my own health. I am surprised with the one reviewer who is so dismissive. I wonder if "his" is a case of Flat-Earth syndrome or paranoia. Certainly this book has a point of view and is not neutral, but the facts are valid. Misperceptions as to women's health existed in the past, and perceptions are still evolving to best of our collective abilities. I found this book fun and fabulous. Fun because history can be surprisingly shocking. And fabulous because the viceral reaction I had to it and how it has sharpened my awareness of what is said or believed in the name or science.
Rating: 
Summary: not bad, but for from comprehensive study
Review: This book is interesting since it gives histroical perspective of evolution of certain beleifs about women which are unfortunately still present. However, I was hoping for a book which would go into more detail on different treeatment of women by medical community. It is still too common that for example endometriosis sufferer in extreme pain visits a gyn only to be told that it is all in her head. Episiotomies are still performed without consent even against woman's explicit wishes with no medical justification, which makes it unique medical procedure. Also, some historical facts are oversimplified and book is a bit biased. As a woman and as a scientist, I could not consider this book objective. I do research in male dominated field, and of course I have encountered problems due to being a woman. But nevertheless when I read some (not all) feminist literature I often wonder what do these women want. It seems to me that they are after not equal rights but special treatment.
Rating:
Summary: Read it!
Review: This book offers insight into our everyday lives - turned and twisted, yet redily accepted without questions. Very detailed and informative, the authors provide us with an objective historic prospective coupled with a passionate rhetoric of disbelief. Read it! Learn from it!
Rating: 
Summary: Laughable
Review: This was a fantastic read. I would love to hear what the authors have to say about women and children in the past 20 years, altough it isn't too hard to figure it out. The chapters directly on women as healers were very inspiring- makes me want to make sure I only give birth with direct entry or lay midwives. I find it heartbreaking that so many people, and especially women, suffered so much at the hands of "medical doctors" in past centuries. So many women healers suffered because of the arrogance of the untrained, unseeing men who shouldered their way into the healing professions. So many women and babies suffered when the "experts" told them how to raise their babies, and we continue to see that today in the voices of James Dobson and Gary Ezzo. Mistrust any "expert" who doesn't give the tools to cope on your own or who insists they know more than the woman who is there day in and day out. Mistrust anyone who wants to train your child to be a follower of these "leaders" 9or their standby, the right wing Christian interpretation of God) instead of learning to be themselves. Once it was the marketplace they were trained for, now it is service to God, but all of the techniques are similar. Fortunately there have always been women who were willing to NOT conform and to speak their minds and to change the prevailing view. Thank the heavens for them. We still need them.
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