grem_ler's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative medium-paced

4.5

margaret_adams's review against another edition

Go to review page

A multi-disciplinary critique of what we mean by "health" and the ways in which the word has become a euphemism for other moral, social, and political ideals. Super thought provoking, a great find. If nothing else, this book forced me to examine assumptions.

tvancort's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I barely got started on this before I had to return it to the NYU library. Then I got an NYPL copy, and finished enough of it to add this book to my "read" list (also that meant I could try the barcode scanner feature of the Goodreads iPhone app, which is super-shiny. Yay!)

classiccaitlin's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Great collection of essays on a topic I’m becoming more and more passionate about. The only thing that was very problematic to me was the concept of obesity as being legitimate to some of the authors. They were challenging the narrative that all fat people are unhealthy, but they didn’t go far enough and challenge the whole concept of obesity and how it’s measured and used in society.

maevekilcarr's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging informative reflective slow-paced

2.5

eliwray's review

Go to review page

3.0

The essays included, not surprisingly, vary widely in quality; my individual ratings might give equal representation to the full spectrum of 1-5 stars. But there's a lot of good questions raised here as to what purpose the concept of health serves, along with analysis of how assumptions and definitions of health reinforce oppressive, death-dealing structures. I am especially interested in pursuing more writing from Dorothy Roberts and Kathleen LeBesco.

nicholasbobbitt1997's review

Go to review page

2.0

This is an interesting take on this topic, if patronizing and supporting people who choose to do things which society considers disgusting and which professional doctors consider unhealthy like smoking or overeating. I was recommended this book by a professor and I don't see why, other than it being "interesting", or "brave" as the English might say.

zombiezami's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book definitely reshaped the way I view obesity, as well as a number of other health issues.
More...