The Well-Read Feminist
Posted by shan on April 28, 2010
By MN Valley NOW member Peg Ballentine
Two must-read picks for the feminist’s nightstand.
First up, is the newly released bestseller entitled “When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Women from 1960 to the Present” (2009). I must confess, when I first spotted this on the bookstore’s tiny women’s history shelf, I wondered how author Gail Collins could adequately portray 50 years of history without resorting to an academic list of dry facts. I shouldn’t have worried. Ms. Collins is a New York Times Op-Ed Columnist and former Times Editorial Page Editor – the first woman to have held that position. One of her strengths is her ability to turn reams of information into a lively and engaging story.
This remarkably comprehensive work covers the ever-changing state of politics, fashion, sex, careers, and families. All the key players are here, yet Ms. Collins also gives voice to the lesser knowns and completely unknowns. Hundreds of interview excerpts are incorporated throughout, which serve to enrich and personalize each story. No stone is left unturned as evidenced by forty two pages of notes and bibliography including hearty thanks to an army of over 150 interviewers. Yowza!
Gail Collins also authored the popular title “America’s Women: Four Hundred Years of Dolls, Drudges, Helpmates, and Heroines”.
My second pick is a quick read humorously entitled “He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know” (2008). I love the simple format of this book. In each two to three page chapter, author Jessica Valenti focuses on one standard, citing personal experiences, quotes from experts and visitors to her website (Feministing.com). Chapter titles include:
- He’s Angry, She’s PMSing
- He’s Independent, She’s Pathetic
- He’s the Boss, She’s a Bitch
- And my personal favorite…He’s an Activist, She’s a Pain in the Ass
Each chapter concludes with a helpful solutions page entitled “So…What To Do?”
In 2008, Ms. Valenti authored her first book, “ A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters”. As I’m always on the lookout for books that appeal to budding feminists (including my niece), I eagerly checked it out. Sadly, I barely made it through the first few chapters due to the number of times the “F-word” was mentioned. I felt that this “dumbed down” her otherwise relevant writing. Ms. Valenti’s intention may have been to rile her young audience, but she quickly lost me.
I’m happy to note that she tones down the vocabulary in “He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut”. Yes, the occasional F-bomb is dropped but it’s not an outright bombing mission as in her first book. You’ll be chuckling at her wry, outspoken wit when not pulling your hair out over the double standards that every card carrying member of the female sex continues to endure.
“Books are the carriers of civilization. Without books, history is silent, literature dumb, science crippled, thought and speculation at a standstill” – Barbara W. Tuchman
That’s all for NOW.
(Peg Ballentine can be contacted at pegwrites@comcast.net).
