Book Description

What do you wish you had asked your dad?

What did you feel the first time you cradled me in your arms?

What was your proudest day as a dad?

A little book that asks big questions: some serious, some playful, some risky."I had ample opportunity to ask Dad these questions when he was alive.But it seemed that a million reasons not to do so could always be found.It was a waste of everything Dad had ever seen, done, and thought about not to hear his answers, and I regret not finding out more about him when I had the chance."This book was borne of that regret and has one underlying objective: to develop a blueprint for discovery so that children of any age can start to build a clearer, deeper picture of the man behind the word Dad.

"So this is for my dad.And for all dads, past, present, and future.And for their sons and daughters.And for the simple pleasure of talking to each other."--Vincent Staniforth ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Reminder of what's important
The questions in this book allow the reader to muse on their own relationships with their parents and others close to them, and hopefully to realise how important it is to make time to communicate within families. Buy it to read, think and keep it visible on your bookshelf as a reminder of what is important and that there is always time to talk to those close to you, however busy you think you are.

A dark ride
At first glance I thought this was just another "quick-fix" book offering [bad] platitudes about the quest to reveal the mythical father-figure.

I started to leaf through it and three days later I'm still excited and troubled by what "Questions" has revealed to me.

The questions are, quite simply, stunning in their originality and form. There's stuff here I wouldn't have thought of asking in a million years.

And then there's the narrative that is sprinkled throughout the text; a dark and troubled trans-America motorcycle trip during which the author has an eerie insight into the importance that his father has played in his life. Too late, of course. Staniforth returns to England just in time to watch his Dad die, and so begins the internal intellectual voyage of discovery about his father.

Read it, use it, buy it for a father or a child. This book can save families.

Questions for My father: finding the man behind your dad
A wonderful book to learn more about your father and yourself.
It's also a fantastic conversation maker. Don't miss out on
this jewel of a book.

Carthartic Self Discovery
Great book for learning about yourself and passing along your feelings, foibles and future wishes to your children. Works well for those that had a great relationship with their own father and want to continue the tradition; works even better for those who weren't close to their own father and want to make the most out of that special relationship with their own children.

Flying High
I found this book in a store in Seattle. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, I just picked it up and flicked through the pages and before I knew it I couldn't put it back down as my eyes began to cloud up with tears. I had a special relationship with my father, but never really, really knew him. The questions in this book seem to allow me to touch his memory with a much deeper insight than ever before. A wonderful, pleasant, and lovely book to read. It brought back special memories. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Ms. Foundation President Marie Wilson is looking for some good women and men to become "post heroic" leaders. In Closing the Leadership Gap, Wilson focuses on the virtues of sharing power by skewering culture bound male leadership styles and celebrating the arguable premise that women use a similar "recipe" of leadership values such as inclusion and cooperation.

As co-founder of the White House project on women's leadership, Wilson is passionate in her belief that women's voices at the table offer an opportunity to shape policy around the marginalized issues of violence, education and healthcare. Making room for women at the top also gives men permission to bring their soft side to work." As she explains, "Both men and women must be in power to moderate the influence of masculinity in all of us." Such polemic does not prevent Wilson from making a persuasive case for role expansion rather than role reversal. Her practical approach to developing women as leaders is two pronged. First, individual women must confront four "Scarlett A's"(authority, ambition, ability, authenticity) that create barriers to leadership. Then, she describes the cultural and institutional changes that would involve men and women in sharing domestic leadership.

Her examples are fascinating and eclectic--including anecdotes about A-list leaders such as Hilary Clinton and Paramount Chair Sherry Lansing; research about hairstyles, husbands, and hemlines of female candidates; and tales from her election to the Des Moines City Council. Wilson puts on gender glasses to examine the "celluloid ceiling" in Hollywood. In all of her examples, the goal is nothing less than changing expectations of both sexes. Even those readers who may not agree that women share similar--even superior--leadership values, will applaud her goal: The opportunity for women and men to integrate the satisfactions of leadership and family life. --Barbara Mackoff ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Read this book before November 2!
As we enter an important presidential election, this book's message holds even more import. Marie Wilson eloquently writes about how we can and must begin to change women's level of participation in the leadership of our country, and indeed, the world. This is true regardless of one's political orientation. And, while this book speaks to me so strongly on a political level, it is much more than that. It is a cultural and economic examination of women's role in our society and is the type of book that makes you, as a reader, think and re-think your values and how you participate in effecting change in our society.
But this is no hard-line, soap-boxy type of overwrought treatise. It is warmly written and totally engaging. You will be inspired by this book.

An inspiring book
This is a great book, but I can not decide whether it should be in the political section or the business section or in the self help section. What the author has done is created the story of what obstacles women as leaders have faced, and what the impact on society has been as a result. As a political book, she maps all the possibilities that women can create to change the stagnant way of politics by achieving leadership in that realm, and working for the common good of all, like education, child and eldercare, as well as taking a pro-active role in foreign affairs. As a business book, the author demonstrates the value of women leaders who are more in touch with the ways the business can be done to bring all to the table to achieve greater productivity with more humane and less stressful ways of getting there. As a self help book, she gives women the courage to create themselves as leaders, shows us the value of our leadership, and provides ideas and resources to become leaders, in all realms of life. She sees the importance of inclusion and recognizes that we must learn to lead as partners with men, and together, achieve the possibilities of a more just and more powerful society.
It's also a fun book filled with surprises, as she wonderfully weaves the story of Hester Prynne of the Scarlet Letter into the body of this book, reminding us that though Hester was branded with the A of adultery, she rose to display the "A" of authenticity, ambition, authority, and ability, as she lived her life. Marie Wilson challenges us to do the same. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not accurate account from someone who was there
This book, the foundation of other writings about radical feminism of that time, is based upon the personal biases of a few elite women. Such book needs to be more respectful of women's history. It needs to be based upon solid research of radical feminist documents and a quantitative research survey of the hundreds of women who participated in radical feminist activities at that time.
Also, for the record, New York Radical Feminists ceased functioning in its intended role, consciousness-raising, in 1989, not 1975. That year we stopped sending out the manifesto and consciousness-raising group guidelines. Most of my friends have remained politically active feminists writers and organizers.
I spent at least two full evenings a week on radical feminist activities from mid-1970 to 1982. I also have almost every New York Radical Feminist document. I was not considered "daring to be bad" or an "outlaw woman" by my family or co-workers in my career jobs. They looked upon my activities as social justice work. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Faith Popcorn isn't shy about telling you who she is or what she can share with you: "I am a futurist. A trend-spotter. A cultural detective." Nor does she beat around the bush in relaying the importance of her theory: "Understanding EVEolution and implementing it ... means the difference between building healthy brands and profitable relationships with women ... or building a flimsy, fluffy foundation with no future." Her vision is large and her passion is palpable, and what she offers in EVEolution is an effective way to know and tap into the increasingly important and lucrative female market.

After establishing men and women are biologically and "shop-ologically" different, Popcorn delivers her central message--that there's a huge difference between a customer who buys your brand and one who joins it. The former is good for the moment, while the latter is good for life. Popcorn believes attracting and engaging the lifelong customer requires rethinking traditional marketing methods using her eight "truths" of marketing to women. These include making your brand a contributing and worthwhile member of the community you create; acknowledging that women lead multiple lives simultaneously--marketing to only one at a time is limiting for you and annoying for them; and remembering to be subtle--women think laterally and notice things peripherally. These and the five other "EVEolutionary" truths are followed by dozens of companies, most of which have gotten the point and are reaping the rewards of an effective brand.

Popcorn definitely has her finger on the pulse (or the popper), though this kind of slick analysis of our too-fast-paced modern age can sometimes get a little tiresome--like an extended session of navel gazing. But someone has to do it, and Popcorn's ability to spot the trends and spout the zeitgeist gives her a healthy leg up on the nonsavvy marketers out there. If you're one of them--and don't have a clue about the complexities of women and how to market to them--read this book. Popcorn will get you into shape in no time. --S. Ketchum ... Read more

Reviews (34)

Eliminate Stalled Marketing Thinking -- Become Irresistible
7 Stars *******

I am a big Faith Popcorn fan. That led me to go into reading this book with high expectations. What a great deal it was to have those expectations well exceeded!

Tom Peters first raised the theme of this book in his book, The Circle of Innovation. The vast bulk of most consumer purchases are either made or strongly influenced by women. Stop marketing generally, and be sure you marketing is gender friendly in the broadest sense. But Tom, as a man, could only take that point so far.

Faith Popcorn has really explained it very well. She has identified 8 key principles:

(1) Women link (the marketer's job is to make that easier for women -- witness the success of women-only Web sites)

(2) Serve all of a woman's needs, not just the ones she has part of the day (if she needs convenient ordering, be sure to offer everything she wants to buy conveniently -- take-out foods for all meals)

(3) Women want their needs anticipated (if she has to tell you what she wants, it's all over -- lots of work, stress, home responsibilities and money mean that home spas are doing well)

(4) Use the indirect approach (women prefer to notice things on their own and apply them, rather than getting a direct, hard sell -- women notice institutional appliances in great restaurants and put them into their own kitchens)

(5) Go to her and make it easy (witness the success of at-home direct selling)

(6) Sell one generation of women, and you get the next as well (see how children now dress like adults at a very young age, because Mom and daughter want to look like each other)

(7) Take on a role as a trustworthy adult to help women, and they will link with your brand (GE Financial Assurance provides a mentor role for women entrepreneurs)

(8) All the details matter (organic foods are taking off because they are healthier, even though very expensive).

As interesting as these points are, Faith Popcorn also deserves praise for the superb way she explains her ideas. In the beginning of the book, she has one example of each concept. Then there is a chapter on each principle. The chapter has many examples, and finalizes with one thorough one drawn from her consulting experience. Then, to be sure you've got the point, she takes well-known brands in each chapter and points out what they are NOT doing that they should be.

The crowning glory is a chapter on all of the things that Ron Perelman and Revlon are doing wrong, and compares it with how the brand was run originally. Faith couldn't find much of anything she likes about the Revlon approach. As a matter of fact, the company has done poorly.

But, at a broader level, this book is also about marketing in the 21st century. Although the focus of the book is women, those who market to men will often benefit from following the same advice. Saturn, a role model she describes, is not just appealing to women. Men like to be treated like people, too, when they buy a car. As a loyal Saturn owner, I know the approach worked well with me.

I can hardly wait for her next book! Have a great time as marketers begin to apply these principles, providing a better consumer experience for customers and more business success for their companies.

One trend she did not explicitly address are the many consumer goods companies that are converting to having mostly women in product design and marketing. That should help, too.

Faith's Female Friendly Finds!
This book deserves more than five stars!

I am a big Faith Popcorn fan. That led me to go into reading this book with high expectations. What a great deal it was to have those expectations well exceeded!

Tom Peters first raised the theme of this book in his book, The Circle of Innovation. The vast bulk of most consumer purchases are either made or strongly influenced by women. Stop marketing generally, and be sure you marketing is gender friendly in the broadest sense. But Tom, as a man, could only take that point so far.

Faith Popcorn has really explained it very well. She has identified 8 key principles:

(1) Women link (the marketer's job is to make that easier for women -- witness the success of women-only Web sites)

(2) Serve all of a woman's needs, not just the ones she has part of the day (if she needs convenient ordering, be sure to offer everything she wants to buy conveniently -- take-out foods for all meals)

(3) Women want their needs anticipated (if she has to tell you what she wants, it's all over -- lots of work, stress, home responsibilities and money mean that home spas are doing well)

(4) Use the indirect approach (women prefer to notice things on their own and apply them, rather than getting a direct, hard sell -- women notice institutional appliances in great restaurants and put them into their own kitchens)

(5) Go to her and make it easy (witness the success of at-home direct selling)

(6) Sell one generation of women, and you get the next as well (see how children now dress like adults at a very young age, because Mom and daughter want to look like each other)

(7) Take on a role as a trustworthy adult to help women, and they will link with your brand (GE Financial Assurance provides a mentor role for women entrepreneurs)

(8) All the details matter (organic foods are taking off because they are healthier, even though very expensive).

As interesting as these points are, Faith Popcorn also deserves praise for the superb way she explains her ideas. In the beginning of the book, she has one example of each concept. Then there is a chapter on each principle. The chapter has many examples, and finalizes with one thorough one drawn from her consulting experience. Then, to be sure you've got the point, she takes well-known brands in each chapter and points out what they are NOT doing that they should be.

The crowning glory is a chapter on all of the things that Ron Perelman and Revlon are doing wrong, and compares it with how the brand was run originally. Faith couldn't find much of anything she likes about the Revlon approach. As a matter of fact, the company has done poorly.

But, at a broader level, this book is also about marketing in the 21st century. Although the focus of the book is women, those who market to men will often benefit from following the same advice. Saturn, a role model she describes, is not just appealing to women. Men like to be treated like people, too, when they buy a car. As a loyal Saturn owner, I know the approach worked well with me.

I can hardly wait for her next book! Have a great time as marketers begin to apply these principles, providing a better consumer experience for customers and more business success for their companies.

One trend she did not explicitly address are the many consumer goods companies that are converting to having mostly women in product design and marketing. That should help, too.

I suggest that you also think about what trends may emerge for women in the future, and begin to serve the needs that those trends create. For example, families are getting smaller. How can you make your products and services fit the one child family better?

Powerful Truths Amid the Fluff and Arrogance
Faith Popcorn's EVEolution lays out some very important, practical principles (she calls them truths) for effectively marketing to women. How one would deliver on the truths of connecting women to each other, marketing to all of her lives, making sure she doesn't have to ask, marketing to her peripheral vision, etc. will be very different for a personal care brand versus money management brand. Nevertheless, if appropriately applied, these truths can make a brand more successful. I have seen results first hand.

The key to getting through this book is keeping the above in mind while wading through what in the end should be considered several minor flaws, even though they tend to dominate the pages of the book.

Notwithstanding several good case examples (e.g., Saturn), the book is filled with an array of very loosely thought out ideas that are so easy to poke holes into, they may leave the reader questioning whether or not following the truths really works.

Faith also, based on my marketing experience, correctly claims that "women don't bond with brands that market to them in an overly aggressive way. A full frontal attack isn't the way to turn a woman on." However, the entire book is presented via an "in your face" approach, which will likely turn off some women (and some men for that matter).

And finally, Faith attempts to make the case that women are superior to men... on all levels. I would agree that women are superior in many aspects, but they are neither superior nor inferior overall. This approach tends to diminish her credibility.

Nevertheless, Faith has keen insight into the way women think and operate. It's really true that "women don't buy brands, they join brands." Therefore, we must do all we can to join our brands in every way possible. Faith's 8 Essential Truths provide unique insight on how to achieve this. Creative, appropriate application of these principles to your band or business is up to you. It actually takes hard work, but as I said before, it will deliver results. For this reason alone, the book is well worth reading.

Eveolution's Truth's Still Hold True
When you want to confirm "What do women want?" Faith Popcorn's book still holds true today. Her visionary view confirms what I as a woman, business owner and consultant to women want...sensativity to my needs and marketing that reflects a genuine interest. This book is an easy read and provides great tips and websites that capture a women's broad interests.

Highly Recommended!
Ignore the infuriating capitalization and focus on what Faith Popcorn is telling you: Women make 80% of all consumer purchasing decisions. The successful businesses of the future will be those that revamp their marketing strategies to appeal to this mother-of-all demographic groups, Popcorn says. She then lays out a fairly comprehensive plan for doing just that. Rich with case studies of gender-based marketing principles in action, the book is witty, intelligent and convincing. We from [...] recommend it as a must-read in marketing, branding or strategic planning.
... Read more

Book Description

In this examination of white and Mexican-American girls coming of age in California's Central Valley, Julie Bettie turns class theory on its head and offers new tools for understanding the ways in which class identity is constructed and, at times, fails to be constructed in relationship to color, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Documenting the categories of subculture and style that high school students use to explain class and racial/ethnic differences among themselves, Bettie depicts the complex identity performances of contemporary girls. The title, Women Without Class, refers at once to young working-class women who have little cultural capital to enable class mobility, to the fact that class analysis and social theory has remained insufficiently transformed by feminist and ethnic studies, and to the fact that some feminist analysis has itself been complicit in the failure to theorize women as class subjects. Bettie's research and analysis make a case for analytical and political attention to class, but not at the expense of attention to other axes of identity and social formations. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

best book I've read all year
"Women without Class" is a tour de force of exceptional scholarly research and keen social observation. Bettie does a tremendous job exploring how class operates in many powerful, yet subtle ways in the lives of young women in one California high school. She highlights the role of economics, but also addresses issues of race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality. Through sustained, in-depth ethnographic research, Bettie illuminates the complex social dynamics of a community and brings the personalities, experiences and worries of these young women to life. The book is honest and sharp, reading almost like a novel. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in sociology, education, youth, race/ethnic relations, or gender.

Great Read for those working with Teens
As a person who works daily with young people both in and out of academic settings, I found this book gave a fresh perspective on how we view teenagers (both men and women) and the influence we have on their lives; especially those influences that are unconcious on our part. It changed the way I perceive my students and gave me new tools for communication. I also thought it was a terrific read; often dramatic and moving. I highly reccomend this book to anyone whose work or lives are connected with young people in America. ... Read more

Reviews (30)

Elevate your life style
Bernhard Roetzel's "Gentleman" is one of two definitive works on classic style for men. The other book is Flusser's "Dressing the Man." While Flusser's work is primarily concerned with developing a classic style for business dress, Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about creating a classic, elegant life style. Following Mr. Retzel's philosophy, style is not something we do for others. The pursuit of style is for one's own personal satisfaction. Therefore, Mr. Roetzel focuses on an understated, conservative elegance, with an acknowledgment of the importance of details, even if no one else notices. Roetzel's book focuses on mens fashion, with a bias toward tailored English clothing, but he goes beyond business clothing, to address casual, sport, and home style. In addition to the obligatory chapters on suits, shoes, and casual dress, there are sections on grooming and fragrance, hairstyles, wristwatches, and how to enjoy an elegant, relaxing breakfast at home. This book is a treatise on gracious living, and he introduces his readers to many of the small luxuries which no one should miss out on: the experience of a traditional shave from a good English barber; a pair of shell cordovan shoes; a bespoke suit; a comfortable and beautiful dressing robe. His philosophy is best exemplified by the section on eating breakfast, where he exhorts one to begin the day with a leisurely elegant ritual including "perfectly toasted bread." Personally, I barely ever eat breakfast, but the call to slow down and take the time to enjoy life's small pleasures resounds loudly none the less.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint and outdated ideas (such as the kind of clothes worn by students at Ivy League universities.) Overall, however, the book is an excellent roadmap for those who wish to live a cut above the norm in this too-fast, hyper-casual, overly-efficient, mass-produced, machine-made, often-shoddy world.

The Guide for Elevating your Style
Alan Flusser's "Dressing the Man" is about developing a classic business style of dress. Roetzel's "Gentleman" is about developing a classic life style. This book covers all aspects of one's appearance, and addresses grooming, hairstyles, formal dress, business dress, and sport. Although it has an English bias, it does a good job of incorporating classic American style and products such as Brooks Brothers shirts and Alden shoes.
More than just a book on how to dress, however, this book provides an introduction to some of the finer things in life that might otherwise go untried: The experience of a traditional shave at a good English barbor; the satisfaction of a bespoke suit, the beauty of a pair of shell cordovan shoes; Acqua di Parma; a James Smith umbrella. There is a section on "Breakfast with Style" which neatly encapsulates the author's philosophy that true style is not an act which you put on for others, it is an understated, elegant way of living which is undertaken for one's own satisfaction. It extends beyond clothing and appearance into all aspects of one's life.
The book is not perfect, and Mr. Roetzel has some rather quaint views on certain subjects. (For example, he has a somewhat antiquated and idealized view regarding how students at Ivy League schools dress.) It is not the best "how-to" book on selecting a classic business wardrobe (choose Dressing the Man for that purpose.) But as a book for those who wish to elevate their life style, Gentleman has no equal. For those who are looking for a roadmap to take them beyond the mass-production, slovenly, hyper-casual, impolite, and haphazard style which is becoming increasingly the norm, look no further than this book.

One of Two Definitive Books on Men¿s Style
As a web developer, I have recently had a run of men's custom tailoring customers. I found myself looking for an encyclopedic source of styling details and fashion fundamentals.

This book by Bernhard Roetzel's provided many of the answers. It is a trove of the tried and trusted classics of men's clothing. In one volume one can find advice on combining familiar patterns, materials, fabrics and colors. Unlike the other book I consulted - Dressing the Man by Alan Flusser - breaks down the details and elements of Italian, English and American styling.

To be sure, there are topics I could have done without - underwear, jewelry, umbrellas, walking canes, tobacco and pajamas, to name a few. However, if you are looking for detailed information about men's style, this is one of two books to consult.

A Must for a real Gentlemen !!!
This book will tell you where to find the best in suits, shirts and shoes and will save you years of experimentation which will eventually lead you to the same conclusions as the author. Even if you are not interested in paying $3500 for your next suit or $3000 for a pair of hand made shoes from John Lobb's of London this book is worth every cent you pay for it. It is well prepared and holds a wealth of interesting information.

Gentleman's Guide: To Grooming and Style
First, I bought a book by the title above and thought it was great. I tried to find a copy to buy a friend only to find no one sold it anymore. A few weeks later I found the book has been reprinted under this new name. So if anyone else is like me and looking for the guide to grooming and style, this is the same book only in hard cover.

Second, this book is worth having. ... Read more

Reviews (50)

The most important book of the last 3 decades
Paglia's "Sexual Personae" is a massive work of Olympian learning; the most important book of the last 3 decades and certainly one of the greatest literary tomes of the century. This book in itself is utterly more valuable than a complete undergraduate education at one of our most prestigious universities.

"Sexual Personae" embodies the kind of hard-thinking discussions of art and philosophy so direly needed as the 20th century comes to a close. Paglia forces us to see the embedded truth in old sexual stereotypes, easily cuts through the muddled sentimentalism of current poststructuralist jargon, and implores us to take stock of ourselves in an ascetic, self-responsible and disciplined way using wit, wisdom, and aesthetics as tools of self-knowledge in a turbulent age of decadent Empire.

Paglia sees human history through art with an all-knowing, unapologetic eye to the point of sophisticated fatigue. She revives the ancient Greek concept of the Apollo/Dionysus continuum, she is honest about human social and sexual catharsis, and for all the talk about Paganism these days Paglia forces us to come to terms with the concept in a way that removes its [beautiful and horrifying] dualities from the sterile, solipsistic MickeyMouse playground on which it has been snidely and carelessly tossed by lazy new-age boomer "intellectuals"--so blindly at the expense of the well-being of the next generation of philosophical thinkers.

In many ways, "Sexual Personae" is a kind of intellectual call-to-arms for Generation X. Paglia is brave, shows that she cares, and is willing to take abuse and get tough in order to get the job done. It is the Bible of the 1990's, and an indespensible book for knowing ourselves and our world.

Too original and thought provoking to be "feminist"
Reading Rene Denfeld's critique of modern feminism made me think of this book which directly attacked and challenged everything that was feminism in its time (and was roundly condemned by both women who still called themselves feminists) from "Matriarchy is peace" to "women are naturally more loving, compassionate, etc., etc."

Its more than that. It is an examination, a critique, a tour through Western culture from the perspective of a unique and startling confrontational woman. Her Appolonian=male, Dionysian=female argument might be just as a whacked as the Gloria Steinem inner child but it is still largely believed that structure=male, nature=female (just that nature is good and wholesome while structure is "patriarchal") and her love of everything patriarchal is knid of scary if patriarchal had actual meaning than what feminists call things that they don't like.

In this book you will see Emily Dickinson described as the female Sade, read Paglia's burning hatred for Mark Twain (she admits to hating Huckleberry Finn so much that one of the things to do when she went to grad school was to write a paper tearing that book apart), watch Paglia tear the matriarchy apart (look at the pregnant statue - no face, no legs, just pregnant - does that look like a life affirming goddess figure to you or a woman with one function only?), and get disturbed by her theories of culture (all cultures at their height of power and art are primarily pedophiliac)

It's a dense book and one that cannot be read in one sitting. YOu might even have to put it on the shelf and come back to it later, but like the teacher who loves her subject, Paglia will keep you interested. You will never look at Western art the same way again.

Oh one last thing on the feminist issue. Most feminists are Jungian in their outlook. They talk about feminine aspects and masculine aspects in the terms that Jung proposes. Paglia is a Freudian. MOst people consider Freud was a sexist even though he never said anything about anything being naturally feminine or masculine (penis envy being a type of hysteria like the Oedipal complex - possible and not altogether improbable but not normal everyday behavior) but that's because most people don't read Freud because he scares them before they can open up a Freudian text. So if you are feminist who thinks that your cherished ideas will not be confirmed by this book, run away. Let it rest on the shelf. Unless you have the courage to be challenged. Then read some Freud too and see what you've been missing.

The Greatest Book of the 1990s
I first read "Sexual Personae" right after the 1991 Anita Hill brouhaha, when feminism was at its most dominant position in American culture. Paglia played such a huge role in the destruction of feminism as a credible intellectual force in the 1990s that it's hard to realize just how revolutionary this book was at that point.

I'll restrict myself to two points. Her first chapter is the most quotable piece of writing since "Hamlet." In her chapter on Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest," she penetrates to the heart of what's funny about the play so well that Wilde's lines are funnier in her essay than they are in the mouths of event the best actors.

Brilliance dogged by a bifocal argument
Critical Theory, more or less, is that discipline of the Humanities that interprets the Arts via the ideas of philosophy and psychology.

Paglia's "Sexual Personae" is a work of critical theory focusing on human sexuality.

Paglia assumes the mantle of rogue, apostate feminist in declaring that had the development of civilization been left to women, we would all still be living in swamps. She maintains that aesthetic creation is an intrinsic function of male physiology: basically, men have phalluses and thus they create. Also, whereas female biology has a centrality rooted in the earth, male biology is psychologically peripheral and thus inevitably driven to attempt to dominate and rule the irrepressible female. By extension, then, males are driven to "subdue the earth" through the creation of civilization.

From this psychosexual premise, Paglia develops her central thesis: that human sexuality is crucially central to High Culture, that human sexuality inevitably involves power relationships, and that this "gigantic fact" leads inevitably to portrayals in the Arts of relationships characterized by dominance and submission.

Her thesis, then, clearly is influenced by the stark human equations championed by de Sade and Sartre.

While the first half of "Sexual Personae" is highly entertaining, the second half of the book labors under (what appears to be) the logical inconsistency of Paglia's "hermaphrodite" concept.

Paglia argues that up to the Renaissance, European sexual roles and sexual personae - male and female psychologies - were vibrant and well-defined. After that, there commenced a period of diffused "maleness" and "femaleness," resulting in muddled psychosexual conceptions of what had always been, in the good ole days, clear-cut gender roles.

In other words, Paglia's central thesis of the centrality of sex in the creation of High Culture starts unintentionally echoing Douglas Adams' hilarious quip in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy": invoking a pre-Renaissance golden age when, "Men were REAL men, women were REAL women, and small brown furry creatures from Alpha Centauri were REAL small brown furry creatures from Alpha Centauri."

Paglia's logical inconsistency lies in her having, on the one hand, to acknowledge C.G. Jung's axiom that creative males inevitably develop their inner feminine, while on the other hand having to argue that this sort of thing *really* is an undesirable, post-Renaissance muddling of psychosexual identity.

And so it goes: page after page of Paglia reaffirming ad infinitum how the works of all post-Renaissance male artists clearly portray their vast consuming dread of the "vagina dentata" -- the "devouring vagina." (No, I'm not making this up.) This dread presumably being an inevitable consequence of these artists' collective, psychological hermaphroditism...

That said, Paglia's finale - an analysis of Emily Dickinson, whom Paglia refers to as "the American de Sade" - is one of the most compelling and thought-provoking textual analyses in this or any other work of critical theory.

By book's end, after all the intellectual pyrotechnics have faded, Paglia has presented a worldview similar to that of Giambattista Vico: not only do we live in Vico's post-mythological world, we apparently also are occupying Paglia's World of Confused Gender Roles tragically inhabited by masculinized women and feminized men.

"Sexual Personae" is quirky, brilliant, engaging and encyclopedic: a tour de force of erudition.

Recommended to anyone interested in a highly unorthodox appraisal of sexuality in Western Art.

Dr. Paglia's A brilliant survey of Western cultural icons
Camille Paglia is a brilliant professor of culture who is this groundbreaking work looks with original insight into cultural
art and literary works from the dawn of civilization to the
poetry of Emily Dickinson who she labels the "Sade of America>
Paglia sets us a paradigm of conflict between the sexes throughout history in realms as diverse as politics, art and
literature. Paglia sees the conflict as based on the Apollo instinct in male artists to overcome the dark, watery, earth-

centered female.
Through a detailed look at such literary giants as Shakespeare, the Romantic poets, Emily Bronte, Whitman, Poe,
Hawthorne, Melville and the late nineteenth century decadents such as Oscar Wilde, Bauldelaire, Gautier, Huysmans and others
she makes original and until now unnoticed observations on the work of each master artist.
The book should be read through to understand her point but students could also use the book to examine the chapters dealing with the particular author or literary/artistic movement they are studying.
Paglia's work is so important it is absud to expect a short review such as this one to do justice to Dr. Paglia's groundbreaking work which will wake up the academy and complacent feminists!
As a disciple of Dr. Harold Bloom this bisexual Italian-American academic is someone the student of the arts should read and savor.
Paglia is controversial but essential reading. I recommend her work and have enjoyed the week I spent with this book!
Highly recommended! ... Read more

Book Description

UPDATED EDITION WITH A NEW PREFACE When this best-seller was published two decades ago, it put the mother-daughterrelationship and female psychology on the map. The Reproduction of Mothering wasrecently chosen by Contemporary Sociology as one of the ten most influentialbooks of the past twenty-five years. With a new preface by the author, thisupdated edition is testament to the formative effect that Nancy Chodorows workcontinues to exert on psychoanalysis, social science, and the humanities. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Please read this book more carefully!
The two people who reviewed this book before me probably did not read it carefully. Chodorow in fact quotes hundreds of researches and conclusions made by other psychoanalysts and herself. She states her own opinions about the issues she discusses, of course, but also other critics'. In the notes to the chapters she indicates several further readings to illustrate her points or other theories. This book is very educational and opens the readers' eyes to many crucial aspects of mothering, both for parents and children's sake. I recommend all her books.

Provocative Ideas -- But No Data
No data. Zilch. Nada. No in-depth interviews, no participant observation, no historical analysis, no surveys, -- just one woman's musings.
She of course may be right in the end, but without ANY research to backup her claims -- it is just a rant.
This book definitely made me think about raising kids and what I wanted in a spouse, and definitely makes a strong case for equal parenting. But in my opinion, good scholarship is a marriage between data and theory; a synthesis of research and imagination. Without both, a scholarly book falls flat. Chodorow did no research, has no data, and thus this book ends up being speculation at best, flat-out myth-making at worst.

Dated Feminist Text
Feminist Nancy Chodorow takes an in-depth look at the role of "mothers" in society. Chodorow presents three common approaches to explain why women mother. In the end, she emerges, not surprisingly, favoring only one.

Chodorow's first explanation is that mothering is a product of biology. Chodorow attacts this theory stating that genetic or sexual differences do not make a woman a better mother and that women do not have a motherly instinct any more than a father. Her argument is seriously found wanting.

The second approach that Chodorow dismisses is the socio-anthropological view that mothering is a product of role-training. This view states that girls learn socially the role that they are to assume - that of mother. Chodorow disagrees that girls simply acquire this role in such an observant fashion.

Chodorow believes that men and women can parent equally, but she feels that the differing relational needs developed in childhood are reproducing women as mothers in adulthood.

Unfortunately, Chodorow completely dismisses the fact that men and women are different. Therefore, her theory is seriously flawed.

The Reproduction of Mothering
I thought this book was very informative, but difficult to read if you are not familar with the terms used in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

What Smart Women Know is a straightforward and honest guide from women who have learned the hard way how to be smart about men. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Essential Reading for Young Women!
I recommend this book to all young ladies as required reading at 18! It's everything- you - always- wanted -to -know -about becoming -a -smart- woman (but were afraid to ask). It's easy to read, funny, self-exposing, and on the line without male-bashing. I have purchased several copies for friends and family members, and all loved it except for one who was in total denial about her life. If you want the truth, read it!

Good for a Reality Check
I have this book and LOVE it. It's not the most complex of books you will ever read, and it certainly doesn't delve deep into the psyche of the female mind...but it does provide you with some sound advice for those times when we excuse or overlook certain traits that, if our friends were involved with men who were exhibiting the same traits we'd be all over them with advice.

This isn't a 'self-help' book, but does provide you with the necessary grounding you can get when you are a smart woman trying to make a go of it in our stubbornly coupled society. We can often overlook what our smart selves would see as a blatant flaw. 'Smart Women..' just reminds us that the behaviors we might be so easy to excuse at the expense of a boyfriend really are pretty awful or could signal something more.

I recommend this book for young women or single woman who struggles occasionally with the topsy-turvy world of dating.

A Great Book!
What Smart Women know is a must-read for any female. It begins a little slow, but picks up into the middle with some GREAT tips on how to live your own life. It will put things in proper perspective on everything from: getting over a failed relationship, what to expect during the healing process, and most importantly: how a smart woman should conduct herself in future relationships. It also deals with women dating after divorce, a section on how to spot an abusive man, as well as how to talk to your partner about safe sex. It is such a great book and would certainly make a great gift for any young woman.

What Smart Women Know
If you want to read a very good book about relationships you should read "What Smart Women Know," written by Steven Carter & Julia Sokol. This is a good book you should keep and read over and over again.

It's mostly about male and female relationships, and covers topic about what you can do when you break up and how you can tell the good guys from the bad guys.Some of my favorite quotes include," All of the good one may be taken but so are many of the bad ones,"and "any man who falls in love quickly can fall out of love just as quickly."

If you want to know more about "What Smart Women Know" -- read this book!

buy it for it's comic value!
If you hate yourself, or if you are stupid, you will take this book seriously. If you are a truly smart woman with an ounce of common sense, this book will have you rolling! It is broken up into fictional scenerios of all the different types of "bad" relationships that a woman can have. My favourite is the one where the woman settles for a jock jerk, even though she hates sports, and seems to hate everything her mate does, but seems to think that being "securly" married is better than being a single woman. I laughed so hard! Does anybody take this book seriously? All the scenerios are followed by a list of "SMART WOMEN KNOW..." statements. My favourite is "Smart Women Know it's time to end the relationship when he makes you feel bad more often than he makes you feel good." Well, no duh. Who is this written for? 8th graders? This book just feeds into the cliche that being an unhappily MARRIED woman is better than being a perfectly happy SINGLE woman. Puh-leez! ... Read more

Book Description

Two leading experts on gender issues in the workplace describe how indirect aggression among women undermines their professional and personal success, and explain how to change conflict into cooperation.

Following the success of Queen Bees and Wannabes and Odd Girl Out, about aggression in girls, In the Company of Women explains how indirect, or "relational," aggression can hurt women and hinder them from achieving success and harmony in their adult lives. Gender studies have shown that when a goal is in sight, men generally use direct action to attain it. Women, on the other hand, have been socialized to express aggressive actions through indirect means-using behavior such as shunning, stigmatizing, and gossiping to emotionally cripple those standing in the way of the achievement they seek.

With startling insights into the meaning of our everyday behavior, this book offers straightforward techniques to change conflict among women into cooperation by resolving discords peaceably, building relationships, and making the most of women's unique leadership and communication skills. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A real problem that needs to be addressed in another book
I found myself nodding as I read some of the anecdotes in this book. Workplace conflict between women is an incredibly important topic, and it is the evil that cannot be named in PC corporate America.

I was really disappointed in the advice the authors offered. Most of the undermining tactics in the anecdotes were quite damaging to the businesses in question, and not just to the women who were being attacked.

The authors' suggestions? Be nice, be sensitive, try to do your own routine office tasks so as not to offend your female support staff or former coworkers. Appeasement seems to be the message. I do not think violations of a company code of conduct, or acting in ways that drive away customers are behaviors that need to be 'understood' and appeased. These behaviors need to be confronted directly, asked to stop, and documented. If they continues, there need to be consequences, and I don't think 'invoking the power-dead-even rule' really covers that. There should not be different standards of behavior for employees based on their sex.

A newly promoted woman who spends her time on administrative tasks for fear of offending her female coworkers will have less time to spend on project deliverables and management, and risks losing her new position and reinforcing the idea that women cannot be effective supervisors or executives.

I did not see many anecdotes about the beneficial alliances women form. I am left with the conclusion that most women in large corporations will have to make the difficult choice between being liked and being successful. I didn't see much constructive advice that would allow you to do both in the real world.

I Didn't Want to Admit They Are Right--But They Are
When I picked up "In the Company of Women" to read, I was prepared to disagree with every single sentence. A female colleague had given it to me as a gift, saying that all her friends were reading it and having an "aha" experience -- they finally understood what was happening in their interactions with other women at work, with their friends, etc. I wasn't even going to read it, but when she told me that Harvard Business School had the book on its recommended list on its website, I decided to go ahead and at least start.
My fear was that the book would play into every stereotype we professional women have worked so hard to overcome -- reinforcing that all-too-widespread male view that we are emotional, bitchy "girls" just out to get each other. BOY WAS I WRONG! These authors have PhD's and years of experience in corporate America and they know their stuff. I was really impressed with the scholarship and research.
As I was reading I began to see all my friends and myself in the examples. We have all been sabotaged by other women in the workplace; we just didn't want to admit it. I didn't find the advice trite or counterproductive to business in the least --and I didn't find it to be overly focused on the issue itself so that I was left thinking "OK now what do I do?" The majority of the book is focused on solutions THAT WORK, and those solutions are very simple. I have been using them, and I can say with absolute confidence that my work environment is better for all of us -- men and women -- as a result.
We all deal with co-workers based on their personalities, level in the organization, work styles, etc. If I manage someone who isn't brilliant but who is really organized, good-natured, straightforward, and works well under pressure, then I will assign a different project (or in a different way), and with a different set of expectations about completion date, than if he or she is brilliant but disorganized, moody, and gets overwhelmed by pressure. Gender is simply one more factor to consider, but I never thought about it before because I wanted to think it doesn't matter. (Maybe a little leftover 1960's idealism at work-I don't know). But of course gender matters and I just didn't see it! (The rest of our bodies are different -- why wouldn't our brains be too?) That means their work styles are likely to be different too. But as the authors point out, that's not a liability that's a PLUS. I was especially impressed with the biological research Heim and Murphy cite to show how these gender differences are hard-wired --that women's brains are different than men's. I also found the evolutionary and primate studies to be a real eye-opener.
I was prepared to hate this book because I thought it was would be "pop psychology" at its worst. Instead, it's groundbreaking psychology at its best. "In the Company of Women" gives all the scientific, rational explanations and solutions that make it safe for all of us to talk about the problem. It has intense scholarly research combined with "real-world" experience, and solutions, solutions, solutions. Otherwise, women don't want to talk about it for fear of reinforcing that "bitchy girls" stereotype, and men don't want to talk about it because they don't want to appear sexist. If we don't start dealing with the issue, we ALL lose, both in and out of the workplace!
The authors' solutions may seem simple at times, but in my experience the simplest solutions are the most effective ones. I just bought copies to send to my best old college friends as well as to my daughters, and I sent the Harvard Business School review to about 20 other professional women. I am also making the book "required reading" for everybody who reports to me. I hate to be wrong, but it made me realize that women AND men are shooting themselves in the foot by doing what I was doing -- NOT ADMITTING THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS.
|

Valuable and authoritative information
This book was recommended to me by a friend and I thank her very much. The authors have described processes that explain what I have observed, but couldn't quite understand, until reading this book. Why women have an incredible memory for hurts and injustices; why women can be so 'catty' amongst themselves; why women can talk so intimately and so easily with each other and with men... I could go on and on with the questions I've always had about women. Learning about the 'tend and befriend' hormone and about the Darwinian survival characteristics of many of these behaviors helps men (as well as women) understand and not personalize these inherent patterns. I especially appreciated the research citations and the sound scientific foundations of the authors' conclusions. I have recommended this book to a dozen people I know, and I think it's a worthwhile read for any adult who works with, is in a relationship with, or is a woman - and I guess that's everyone.

Definitely a worthwhile read!
Based on years of research and practical experience of the 3 authors, Pat Heim, Susan Murphy and Susan Golant...

I found this book to be a new and honest perspective on women's relationships. It has helped me in my professional role as well as my roles as a daughter, a sister and a friend. It is extremely insightful and provides real-life examples and effective suggestions on how to create and sustain positive relationships with women.

I have already purchased more than 15 copies for colleagues and friends.

women - our own worst enemies
Fantastic book. Every job I have ever had I have had difficulties - ranging from mild to extreme - with other women in the workplace. - Never with the men.

I am in a field dominated by men, where most of the women are in support roles. This only makes things worse. They resent you for your success and confidence and your salary. There is no "old girls club" to nurture or mentor you - only a club to sabotage you if you don't follow the rules - and of course you don't know the rules.

With this book - I now know the rules. Despite the fact that following them will make me feel like a manipulator and dishonestly caring about the small talk that women do - i now realize that I must do it or else!

Every woman in the corporate world should read this and anyone, man or woman who manages women should be required to read this book. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A must have for all women
This is a guide for not only women in the workplace but women in their personal lives. We have been preconditioned to act and talk in specific way. This book easily guides you into making sound decisions on choices of responses to difficult situations. It is easy to follow and helps you speak what is truly on your mind without being cruel. It is all about being direct and getting what you want!! ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Very compelling, just a bit too academic
This book is like going through someone else's medicine cabinet. A fascinating look into the homes and bedrooms of the Middle East from a scholarly feminist perspective. The only problem is, it's a bit too scholarly to be a really quick and concise read. Still, Well worth buying.

A much needed book
Excellent book on the female condition in many Muslim societies. ... More books like this need to be written to stimulate debate and hopefully change.

An Excellent Study in Male-Female Relations in the MidEast
The topic of male-female dynamics in Muslim society is one of the main issues covered in the book, Beyond the Veil, by Fatima Mernissi. Mernissi covers a wide range of categories, all of which pertain to the female position in a Muslim society. Though much of the data comes from Moroccan society, the general subject matter attempts to describe all Muslim society. This book has two parts, one of which focuses on the traditional view of women, and the second, which focuses on a more modern and changing view of women¡¯s place in society. A fascinating look at women in Muslim society, this book pushes the reader to question previous biases, and take a look at women in a Muslim society from a Muslim perspective.
Beyond the Veil starts out by contrasting views on female sexuality. One view is that of Imman Ghazali, and the other view is that of Sigmund Freud. Ghazali claims that the female sexuality is active, and equal to the male sexuality. Therefore, females need to be restrained in order to prevent fitna (chaos) in the social order. Freud, on the other hand, sees female sexuality as passive, and therefore masochistic. Ironically, both theories attempt to prove the same point: that women, as uncontrollable beings, are destructive to the social order and need to be restrained.
Part two of the book starts out with interviews and data collection from Moroccan society. This information is mostly focused around sexual desegregation. Mernissi¡¯s conclusions basically say that the traditional/older generation is more sexually desegregated, while the more modernized/younger generation encourages desegregation. She also points out that rural societies are more sexually traditional than urban societies.
This book reveals much about Muslim society in a simplified manner. Mernissi draws her writings from various sources, including historical viewpoints, other writers on the topic, and interviews with Muslim women.
Beyond the Veil is not simply a one-dimensional view of male-female dynamics in Muslim society. The book covers all aspects of relationships between males and females, as well as the various positions women can take in a Muslim society. Mernissi allows for the reader to look three-dimensionally at the Muslim society, especially in regards to sexual space boundaries and desegregation, and form his or her personal opinion about the topic. Mernissi makes it somewhat simpler for the reader to understand the goals of the book by outlining the various dimensions as well as writing conclusions that draw from the section but also incorporate other ideas.
The objective of this book, explaining male-female dynamics in Muslim society, was quite clear and the writings of Mernissi certainly operationalized that objective. A non-fiction book that relied heavily on breakdowns of various interviews, Beyond the Veil, was more analytic than descriptive. However, this was an extremely effective way of scrutinizing the subject at hand. The information provided in the book would be particularly significant to those who are not familiar with Muslim society and wish to learn more about the ways in which males and females interact in this society.
Beyond the Veil explained many things to me, including the reasons behind female desegregation in Muslim society. Mernissi is thorough in her dissertation of male-female dynamics, and encourages the reader to form his or her own opinions about the topic. Beyond the Veil is a captivating look at the past, present, and future positions of women in a deeply complex Muslim society.

Feminism against Islam
Book is in two parts . First section is women in Arabia before and after Islam, second part women in Morocco and some expantion into other muslim contries. Basically argument goes that women did not have any respect before and during Islam including during Prophet Mohammed (pbh) and only now they started to get some respect. I gues the argumet goes what is Islam and what is women's position in Islam. If you value women's position from Western standards that is a wrong stick to measure with. I was also dissapointed the way she was talking about Prophet Mohammed (pbh) with lack of respect.

Sexuality within Islam
I thought this book was excellent and very informative concerning the issues Muslim women must deal with and the way in which their sexuality is viewed by themselves and other members of the Islamic community. ... Read more

Amazon.com

During the turbulent 1960s, Chicanas who funneled blood, sweat, and tearsinto Mexican American protest movements such as La Raza were often relegated tosupporting the men who leapt to the ramparts. Stung by such sexual discrimination anddisheartened by--or disinterested in--the largely middle-class Anglo agenda championedby the women's liberation movement, Chicana feminists fought to carve out a niche.Though dry at times, the outspoken essays and writings collected in Chicana FeministThought record this struggle as it occurred. Not surprisingly, the writers' voicesoverlap but don't necessarily blend: one rationalizes machismo and seeks only to redirectit, while another impatiently calls for its end. These writings, from the 1960s to the1990s, chronicle the development and dissension of Chicana feminists faced with thehigh-wire balancing act of saving a culture while serving their own needs. The result is anenlightening, thought-provoking piece of feminist history. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

So good I stayed home to read it for 4 days
This book spoke directly to me. I read it first in the mid 1980's, so much of the contents is now irretrievable, but I wanted to let other shoppers know how much this book helped me. I am so happy to find it again. ... Read more

Book Description

An ancient title of respect for women, the word "cunt" long ago veered off this noble path. Inga Muscio traces the road from honor to expletive, giving women the motivation and tools to claim "cunt" as a positive and powerful force in their lives. In this fully revised edition, she explores, with candidness and humor, such traditional feminist issues as birth control, sexuality, jealousy between women, and prostitution with a fresh attitude for a new generation of women. Sending out a call for every woman to be the Cuntlovin’ Ruler of Her Sexual Universe, Muscio stands convention on its head by embracing all things cunt-related. This edition is fully revised with updated resources, a new foreword from sexual pioneer Betty Dodson, and a new afterword by the author. "Bright, sharp, empowering, long-lasting, useful, sexy...."—San Francisco Chronicle "... Cunt provides fertile ground for psychological growth."—San Francisco Bay Guardian "Cunt does for feminism what smoothies did for high-fiber diets—it reinvents the oft-indigestible into something sweet and delicious."—Bust Magazine ... Read more

Reviews (83)

a life-changing book
I'm a feminist in the sense that I want women and men to have equal rights, but I've never realized how insidious this culture is in propagating subtly misogynistic messages. This book is about giving women back our choices. We have a choice to use cost-effective and earth-friendly tampons and pads. We have a choice to use birth control that does not manipulate or damage our bodies. We have a choice to protect ourselves AND other women from rape. The author goes on about how oppressed Iranian women have far more love for one another than the average American woman, how in some countries genital mutilation is forced on girls, but in America we PAY to mutilate ourselves. There's more than just women's issues, however. She gives evidence on how corporations are lying to us, how the media is lying or shading the truth, the sheer idiocy of our president, etc. I didn't used to be a very politically aware person, but this book made me realize that we NEED to know what's going on in this world. So, ladies, do yourselves a favor and read this book, and guys, read this book so you don't become one of the silly men simply because everyone else is.

Surpassed all my expectations
Sick of academic feminism, I really thought this book was going to be a slipshod piece of etymological scholarship. I picked it up to laugh at it. Imagine my shock when it turned out to be a smart, feisty, personable, positive, constructive, angry, liberating book - oh yeah, and fun. The sheer pleasure Musico finds in life and words is exhilarating. Reading her book is like talking to your best friend - she's stubborn, kind of crazy, and I still don't agree with all her politics, but it's damned hard not to like her or to respect where she's coming from. Also, she has some sound, specific, and clearly stated advice on how to keep from being raped/mugged - that alone is probably enough to make the book worth reading.

I do think the majority of college-educated, pro-choice American women will get a kick out of this, if they can get past the embarassing cover (buying this book felt very much like buying a box of tampons - this is fallout from the author's relentlessly sex-positive attitudes). However, extreme feminists will probably find it overly personal, insufficiently rigorous, and too focused on the lives of women of the demographic I mentioned above.

the only thing striking about the book is the title
the book seemed promising at first, but it turned out to be an immature angry rant that regurgitated every paranoid consciousness-raising session i had with my gal pals in high school. it offers no solutions, and puts forth a paranoid, unrealistic view of gender relations. additionally, she seems to be rather down on anyone who has a Real Job and doesn't sponge off feminist friends by living in their basement.

her thoughts on the birth control pill and abortion strike me as utterly obnoxious. to wit: if you're a *real woman*, you should be able to spur a miscarriage with your mind. and, the Pill is evil and wrong because it disconnects women from their cycles. that this diatribe is coming from a woman who has had three abortions strikes me as ironic, to say the least. if she used the damn Pill, she wouldn't be in that spot to start with.

the bad grammar is rather disempowering too, i might add.

and, perhaps most obnoxiously, the entire book is largely about writing the book, a bit of solipsism that indicates the writer has few original ideas. if you're a high school student, this book might be on your level. if you're a more mature reader, there are many feminist authors out there who do a much more cogent and in-depth analysis of patriarchy, gender relations and power.

Oh.....OK
Titles like this really exemplify what the term REALLY means:
Can't Understand Normal Thinking

This is why im proud to be a woman....
For the longest time I've been afraid to express sexual feelings, or even talking about femininity for fear that I would be looked down upon or opressed. This book has opened my eyes to see what beauty ALL women posess, and actually made me proud to be one. I am no longer afraid to discuss menstration, or sex with anyone else, and it has made me value my body for the temple that it really is. I would recommend that everyone read this book, espcially women, and you too will understand the power that women can have under any circumstance. ... Read more

Book Description

Button your blouse, here comes a sandstorm of laughs!

Travel isn't always what we dream it will be, but oh, the stories that follow. Share in the hilarious, bizarre, and unforgettable misadventures of 29 women whose trips went comically awry. From Australia to Zambia, up Nepal's mountains and along Mexico's beaches, the true stories in this collection will make you laugh, groan, and sympathize with these travelers who took a trip on the lighter side.

Lose your panties on a city street in Abu Dhabi with Christie Eckardt

* Dodge beer bottles and punches with Alison Wright as she serves up brew at a wild pub in Australia

* Enjoy the nutty nitty-gritty of Burning Man in the Nevada desert with Christine Nielsen

* Feel the delicious freedom to be fat in Tahiti with Sandra Tsing Loh

* Turn beet red with Kate Crawford in Paris, locked out of her boyfriend's apartment in a t-shirt and nothing more

* Toss your cookies with Deborah Bear as she tests alternative seasickness remedies on a Pacific voyage

Including stories by Anne Lamott, Ellen Degeneres, Sarah Vowell, Margo Kaufman, Sandra Tsing Loh, Adair Lara, and many more... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Very Entertaining
I enjoyed reading this book. I am planning on taken another adventure on my own and needed the extra kick in the rear to getting it going. All the stories were comical and shared a insightful encouragement about how truly needed travel and the misadventures there in are to a woman. This book allowed me to discover some really talented writers as well. I recommend this book. And believe me, before I leave on my next trip I'm definately going to make my mother read the first story entitled 'Mom's Tavel Advisories'. I hope there will be a volume 2, Sand in My Crack or Still Finding the Sand, who knows but I will keep my eye out for it.

Funny ! Funny !
I was laughing until tears into the first 12 lines. Yes, true some of the stories are not so funny and I feel some of them really didn't belong. Over all it is a pretty good read.

Good to get a laugh at travel "odd-I-sees"
I thought the intro to this was laugh aloud funny, as were a few of the stories. I especially liked the authors' observances of things in the Middle East and Asia, places I haven't yet visited. I got a real laugh out of the story about the women's river trip on the Colorado River, on several levels.

Very Disappointed
Out of the 28 stories in this book, I found only about 5 to be well-written and humorous. The majority of the rest consisted of stories about intimate bodily fluids and functions that just happened to occur on foreign soil, and frankly, I found them disgusting and boring. After a while, I started skipping stories entirely after reading the first paragraph or two and seeing where they were headed. I was very disappointed.

If you enjoy travel narratives, a much better compilation of women's stories can be found in "A Woman's Passion for Travel" edited by Marybeth Bond & Pamela Michael. Although that book doesn't claim to be a collection of funny stories, "Sand in my Bra" really isn't a collection of funny stories, either.

funny women traveling
The title piece in this pocket-sized anthology of humorous travel pieces by women features Christine Nielsen stressing over costumes for a week at Burning Man, a festival "based on creative self-expression." Originating in San Francisco, the event has grown so big it's now held in the Nevada desert where showering is just a means to cake up with a thicker layer of dust and a major highlight is the topless bicycle parade of 4,000 women. I identified more with the sidebar piece by Jennifer L. Leo, describing her coma-stress response to a hearty call for Naked Basketball.

Other pieces focus on more mundane female conundrums like underwear with tired elastic (yikes!) menstrual surprises (even worse!), sanitary facilities, euphemisms in foreign languages, attempting to pass unnoticed in a chador in Kuwait, finding a book in a French airport with a teenager in tow, dealing with the runs, bad hair days in Hong Kong. Ellen Degeneres does a piece on fear of flying and Adair Lara packs for the fantasy person she expects to become halfway around the world. There are men, like Germaine W. Shames' eloquent Mexican lover, though not so many as you might expect in an anthology by women. There may be more pieces on squeezing excess flesh into bathing suits.

Mostly these are good-natured women finding the funny side of mishaps in places as far flung as the red-light district in Bangkok and the 50-pound sack race in small-town Nevada. There are plenty of laughs and - a side benefit - some handy warnings on what not to do when traveling. ... Read more

Book Description

This anthology for first and second year students introduces them to the history of key ideas in the modern period related to sexual difference, gender, race, class, and sexuality. While most introductory Women's Studies textbooks focus on the United States, even if they add multiculturalism to the discussion, this book looks at the history of important differences between women in diverse locations around the world and continually challenges students to think through the issues that are raised.

This transnational approach to understanding gender brings Women's Studies into an era of globalization and connects women’s issues in the United States to women’s issues elsewhere. The book shows how colonialism and imperialism, as they spread across the world, shaped ideas about gender as much as other modern phenomena. It addresses issues of power and inequalities and focuses on links and connections rather than commonalties. The readings are truly interdisciplinary, drawing upon scholarly work in many disciplines and interdisciplinary fields as well as non-scholarly sources. ... Read more

Book Description

The 2d edition of this concise history has been revised to incorporate continuing research in the fast-growing field of Women’s History. Additions to the text include an exploration of women’s experiences and roles in various ethnic groups as well as three new sections: "The Trans-Mississippi West", "Migrants and Immigrants" and "Women and the Law". Woloch’s lucid, lively and thorough survey retains the same comprehensive style that has made it the best-selling narrative text in American Women’s History. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Surprisingly Pleasant Read!
I had to read this book for a history course, and I was prepared for another dry, dusty history tome. I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was not dry and dusty! It is packed with incredible information about women from all walks of life, including personal stories about hardship and tragedy. It really gave me a new appreciation for the feminine struggle for equality and civil rights. ... Read more