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abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
published in 1995, this book is still very applicable to women's situation today.
rhiannatherad's review against another edition
4.0
My first Steinem book....
Something about her writing takes a bit for me to read. I don't know if it's just the way it's written or the in depth subject matter....still liked it though.
I also love that the whole first chapter was just a major drag on Freud both in the text and notes.
Something about her writing takes a bit for me to read. I don't know if it's just the way it's written or the in depth subject matter....still liked it though.
I also love that the whole first chapter was just a major drag on Freud both in the text and notes.
analyticali's review against another edition
5.0
I've read more this year than I have for the past five years, and I have discussed this 22 year old book more than anything new that I've come across. It has been a powerful antidote to the misogyny that came out in the presidential campaign and that may become the norm for the coming four years.
Gloria writes powerfully in ways that get to the heart of the matter. There are so many things that feel off with how women are valued and measured in society, and in these essays that still feel powerfully contemporary, she articulates the root causes of why women are undervalued, judged on too narrowly defined body and beauty metrics, sold products in demeaning ways, measured by psychological systems that assume we envy men's genitalia, and are ignored later in life.
Though it requires intellectual and emotional energy to power through these essays, the result is stimulating and rewarding. Nothing peels back the layers more clearly or articulates so beautifully the gap between wanting women around and wanting women to be true equals in practice. If you want words to voice your frustration and a real list of core issues to fight, read this and reimagine a better world for women.
Gloria writes powerfully in ways that get to the heart of the matter. There are so many things that feel off with how women are valued and measured in society, and in these essays that still feel powerfully contemporary, she articulates the root causes of why women are undervalued, judged on too narrowly defined body and beauty metrics, sold products in demeaning ways, measured by psychological systems that assume we envy men's genitalia, and are ignored later in life.
Though it requires intellectual and emotional energy to power through these essays, the result is stimulating and rewarding. Nothing peels back the layers more clearly or articulates so beautifully the gap between wanting women around and wanting women to be true equals in practice. If you want words to voice your frustration and a real list of core issues to fight, read this and reimagine a better world for women.
lukehartman_nyc's review against another edition
5.0
I was sitting on the train, on my way to work, reading this book and I noticed an older woman next to me looking at the cover. She turned to me and asked when it was published (1994) which then prompted her to ask me why I chose to read this particular book, and that it is so surprising and interesting for someone my age. It sparked up just a short conversation of my admiration for this amazing woman, her gift for words and the importance of looking to those that came before us and laid the ground work for what is being acted upon today.
We talked about how the things Gloria wrote about in this collection of essays such as how Freud was a horrible sexist piece of shit, the masculinization of muscles and money, the problems within the advertising industry and age discrimination are all still relevant and will always be relevant – because it is so important to never be complacent, never stop learning and most importantly never stop applying the things you learn to the world around you. I will never forget the smile on her face as she said, thank you for taking the time to talk to me as she got up and went on her way. Once again Gloria – thank you for enabling this moment to happen, and for all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do.
We talked about how the things Gloria wrote about in this collection of essays such as how Freud was a horrible sexist piece of shit, the masculinization of muscles and money, the problems within the advertising industry and age discrimination are all still relevant and will always be relevant – because it is so important to never be complacent, never stop learning and most importantly never stop applying the things you learn to the world around you. I will never forget the smile on her face as she said, thank you for taking the time to talk to me as she got up and went on her way. Once again Gloria – thank you for enabling this moment to happen, and for all that you have done, are doing and will continue to do.
larrys's review against another edition
It's depressing going back and reading these older feminist books only to find they're just as relevant today.
dvb615's review
5.0
Must read!!!!!!!!!! My illusion of Freud's all-knowing godlike position as father of psychoanalysis was shattered by Steinem's entertaining essay taking us through all of Freud's contribution giving the reader perspective, what if Sigmund were Phyllis? Refreshing and empowering the essay on Bev Francis, really pushing the question, what does it mean to be beautiful and to have strength as a woman? Essay on feminism in the upper tier of affluence blew my mind, it never having crossed my mind how oppression can function at that level.
Especially as a young feminist, it was inspiring to read of Gloria's evolution over the years and how her experiences shaped her thinking.
Again- MUST READ.
Especially as a young feminist, it was inspiring to read of Gloria's evolution over the years and how her experiences shaped her thinking.
Again- MUST READ.
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