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katerinasiap's review against another edition
4.0
This book gives a historical and insightful account on feminist infighting over the years. Its main focus is that what is supposed to be sisterhood among women has eventually turned into a mother-daughterhood due to the intercultural clash between second and third-wave feminism. I liked it and I do recommend it because it is one of the clearest and concise books I have read on feminism, a movement which is sometimes hard to follow and comprehend, perhaps owing to the myths surrounding it.
lochnessvhs's review
2.5
It's actually quite staggering how out-of-date this book already is, 15 years after it's publication.
Everything you need to know you can learn by just reading the Conclusion section at the end of the book. In this Siegel finally shows her hand, she is of the Second Wave and has a lot to say about what she thinks Third Wave Feminists are doing wrong. The clues were there in the preceding chapters, but for a book that is structured to set out a basic history of Second Wave and Third Wave, it reads a lot more like "Second Wave Feminists made a few mistakes but changed the world. Third Wave Feminists don't have any respect and only care about sex."
Other than the briefest mention, Siegel fails to touch on the intersectionality of oppressions that Third Wave feminism rallies around (this is truly a book about white women, for white women). This was not a far-out concept in 2007. I was there. We were talking about it ad naseum.
Perhaps most shocking to me - though this is incidental - is the moment in the conclusion where Siegel snipes at BUST editor Debbie Stoller by mentioning "[she] has since published a series of books about knitting". Exactly how feminist is it to imply that another successful woman is less-than for having an interest outside of feminism?? Had this moment been earlier in the book, honestly I probably would have DNFd. Alas it came in the last 10 pages. Not long after this Siegel graciously definies feminism for us - with extremely binary and gender-essentialist language.
There are a lot of pillars of feminist writing that have inspired people, hundreds of pieces that still hold up today. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.
Everything you need to know you can learn by just reading the Conclusion section at the end of the book. In this Siegel finally shows her hand, she is of the Second Wave and has a lot to say about what she thinks Third Wave Feminists are doing wrong. The clues were there in the preceding chapters, but for a book that is structured to set out a basic history of Second Wave and Third Wave, it reads a lot more like "Second Wave Feminists made a few mistakes but changed the world. Third Wave Feminists don't have any respect and only care about sex."
Other than the briefest mention, Siegel fails to touch on the intersectionality of oppressions that Third Wave feminism rallies around (this is truly a book about white women, for white women). This was not a far-out concept in 2007. I was there. We were talking about it ad naseum.
Perhaps most shocking to me - though this is incidental - is the moment in the conclusion where Siegel snipes at BUST editor Debbie Stoller by mentioning "[she] has since published a series of books about knitting". Exactly how feminist is it to imply that another successful woman is less-than for having an interest outside of feminism?? Had this moment been earlier in the book, honestly I probably would have DNFd. Alas it came in the last 10 pages. Not long after this Siegel graciously definies feminism for us - with extremely binary and gender-essentialist language.
There are a lot of pillars of feminist writing that have inspired people, hundreds of pieces that still hold up today. Unfortunately, this is not one of them.
cinnachick's review against another edition
5.0
Great overview that lays out some of the battles within finish as well as those it has had with patriarchy. Highly suggested as an initial read by anyone new to feminist thought. Consider it a summary of all the people you should read more from.
kristennd's review against another edition
3.0
This seemed to be a good U.S. Feminist History 101 sort of book, which is at my level. It's unfortunate (and telling?) that the bibliography is full of anthologies from the mid-90s but not much of anything more current.
jeregenest's review against another edition
4.0
A very good view of the eprsonalities behind 2nd and 3rd wave feminism. An excellent primer.
mscoutj's review
3.0
Not a heavy duty history, and no real new ground broken here, but if you're looking for a quick look over the last 40 or so years, you could do a lot worse.
evamaria's review against another edition
3.0
Very interesting and quite concise overview of US feminism and the differences of opinion not just between second and third wavers but also the different approaches inside the movements.
aelovejoy's review
3.0
Certainly an interesting and relevant topic (Just change "Myspace" to "tumblr"), but I felt that the execution of it could have been better. While I feel that it's great for learning a general history of feminism as well as about its current movements, I wanted Siegel to go into more analysis with less fact-spewing.
janeneal's review
3.0
I read this for my Gender Studies class and I liked it much better than some other informative feminist texts I've read previously. I really liked that the author acknowledged the racist and homophobic past of feminism (which is, unfortunately, still present today). Valid points are made for both young and old feminists and why they may not see eye to eye. With older women insinuating young women might only vote for a presidential candidate to meet boys, it does seem there is a ways to go.
My introduction to feminism was through Tumblr and heavily related to consumption of art, books, and popular culture in general. I feel that the feminism I was introduced to and believe in, is all inclusive and populated with young and old people. I never really felt that there was a battle between young and old and a huge problem with young girls not wanting the feminist label. In the back of my mind, I know it's a thing, but the community I follow online is nothing like that.
Perhaps that means that, while this book still holds valuable information on feminism throughout different generations, it may not be truthful to say that young and old feminists are at odds. There are incidents here and there, but overall things are improving. Hopefully we will get there completely.
My introduction to feminism was through Tumblr and heavily related to consumption of art, books, and popular culture in general. I feel that the feminism I was introduced to and believe in, is all inclusive and populated with young and old people. I never really felt that there was a battle between young and old and a huge problem with young girls not wanting the feminist label. In the back of my mind, I know it's a thing, but the community I follow online is nothing like that.
Perhaps that means that, while this book still holds valuable information on feminism throughout different generations, it may not be truthful to say that young and old feminists are at odds. There are incidents here and there, but overall things are improving. Hopefully we will get there completely.
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