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Rating: 
Summary: Compelling and provacative
Review: When first published in 1970, this book was a manifesto for a generation of women. Although it has not been updated since, it demonstrates how far we've come and what is the next step for women. Uneven style and tone of writing give this unquestionable realness not often found in more contemporary feminist anthologies. To read this book is to spiral back in time to a place where information on borth control was hard to obtain, abortion was a back alley reality, equal pay for equal work was never enforced, sexual harassment (which is not mentioned) rape and assault were life's little dirty secrets, and title IX was not yet reality. If the text often seems frenzied and uncompromising, remember what all they were up against. Sexism had been so entrenched, both laws and culture needed to be chaged. Socialization plays a big part in sexism. Lest such derogatory attitudes be assigned to the domininant society, a couple of groups in the counterculture are also faulted as well. These unenlightened attitudes in SDS and SNCC often formed the impetus for the women's liberation movement, although there was some genuine equality between the sexes within various chapters. Unfortunately, this was the exception to the rule. Groups that understood the evils of violence and subordination made light of rape and assault when directed at women.The advent of the pill meant women who did not want to sleep with their comrades had severe hangups. The women's liberation movement was instrumental (to a greater extent than early mainstream groups) in identifying and naming sexual self determination and violence against women. Those who have been previously versed in women's history will find this a who's who book of second wave (the first, of course being the suffragists, and the third being generation X) activists. From Robin Morgan amd to Alix Kates Schluman, Kate Millet, Mary Daly, Lindsey Van Gelder, Marge Piercy and Eleanor Holmes Norton, there is an impressive list of activists. Excluding the deranged Valire Solanis (later convicted of shooting Andy Warhol) most of the contributors are articulate, intellegent and therefore inspiring. Since she did little to promote the women's movement, one must question her inclusion in the anthology. Certainly, it would have reinforced negative sterotypes about women who are involved in the feminist movement, thereby reducing it to spectacle. Missing is Gloria Steinem who did not not enter national conciousness until the advent of Ms magazine---although her New York oppion column "After Black power,women's liberation" could have been included. Steinem also wrote one of the most riveting articles on Abortion law hearings during 1969. Even though she would later be the target of much suspcion among many of these women, Steinem's role in the women's movement remains undisputed. Ironically, Morgan would assume editorship of Ms magazine years later Because the book has not been republished or reedited, it is more for the committed activist and historian than newcommers. Although many of the breakthroughs for women have of course occured, references to names, events and places no longer carry the same punch. It is still a necessary addition to any feminist's library.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling and provacative
Review: When first published in 1970, this book was a manifesto for a generation of women. Although it has not been updated since, it demonstrates how far we've come and what is the next step for women. Uneven style and tone of writing give this unquestionable realness not often found in more contemporary feminist anthologies. To read this book is to spiral back in time to a place where information on borth control was hard to obtain, abortion was a back alley reality, equal pay for equal work was never enforced, sexual harassment (which is not mentioned) rape and assault were life's little dirty secrets, and title IX was not yet reality. If the text often seems frenzied and uncompromising, remember what all they were up against. Sexism had been so entrenched, both laws and culture needed to be chaged. Socialization plays a big part in sexism. Lest such derogatory attitudes be assigned to the domininant society, a couple of groups in the counterculture are also faulted as well. These unenlightened attitudes in SDS and SNCC often formed the impetus for the women's liberation movement, although there was some genuine equality between the sexes within various chapters. Unfortunately, this was the exception to the rule. Groups that understood the evils of violence and subordination made light of rape and assault when directed at women.The advent of the pill meant women who did not want to sleep with their comrades had severe hangups. The women's liberation movement was instrumental (to a greater extent than early mainstream groups) in identifying and naming sexual self determination and violence against women. Those who have been previously versed in women's history will find this a who's who book of second wave (the first, of course being the suffragists, and the third being generation X) activists. From Robin Morgan amd to Alix Kates Schluman, Kate Millet, Mary Daly, Lindsey Van Gelder, Marge Piercy and Eleanor Holmes Norton, there is an impressive list of activists. Excluding the deranged Valire Solanis (later convicted of shooting Andy Warhol) most of the contributors are articulate, intellegent and therefore inspiring. Since she did little to promote the women's movement, one must question her inclusion in the anthology. Certainly, it would have reinforced negative sterotypes about women who are involved in the feminist movement, thereby reducing it to spectacle. Missing is Gloria Steinem who did not not enter national conciousness until the advent of Ms magazine---although her New York oppion column "After Black power,women's liberation" could have been included. Steinem also wrote one of the most riveting articles on Abortion law hearings during 1969. Even though she would later be the target of much suspcion among many of these women, Steinem's role in the women's movement remains undisputed. Ironically, Morgan would assume editorship of Ms magazine years later Because the book has not been republished or reedited, it is more for the committed activist and historian than newcommers. Although many of the breakthroughs for women have of course occured, references to names, events and places no longer carry the same punch. It is still a necessary addition to any feminist's library.
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