Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century [Hardcover]

Rory Dicker (Author), Alison Piepmeier (Author), Katha Pollitt (Author), Jennifer Baumgardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003

Young women today have benefited from the strides made by grassroots social activists in the 1960s and 1970s, yet they are hesitant to identify themselves as feminists and seem apathetic about carrying the torch of older generations to redress persistent sexism and gender-based barriers. Contesting the notion that we are in a post-feminist age, this provocative collection of original essays identifies a third wave of feminism. The contributors argue that the next generation needs to develop a politicized, collective feminism that both builds on the strategies of second wave feminists and is grounded in the material realities and culture of the twenty-first century.

Organized in five sections that mirror the stages of consciousness-raising, this is an engaging, often edgy, look at a broad range of perspectives on the diversity, complexity, multiplicity, and playfulness of the third wave. It is also a call to action for new voices to redefine a feminism that is not only personally aware but also politically involved.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Rory Dicker and Alison Piepmeier edited the book they wanted to read and teach, constructing it around the consciousness-raising model to reflect the progression from self-discovery to feminist identification and collective political action. This organization makes Catching a Wave a unique primer for people new to feminism and its ideals. Its chapters also reawaken those of us who need a reminder of the connections among our personal lives, the hegemonic social order, and superstructures."--SIGNS

"Compelling and conversational without sounding angry or overtly academic . . . "--Transformations

About the Author

Rory Dicker is Assistant Professor of English at Westminster College. She lives in Columbia, Missouri. Alison Piepmeier is Senior Lecturer in Women's Studies at Vanderbilt University. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee. Katha Pollitt is a poet, essayist, and columnist for 'The Nation.' Jennifer Baumgardner writes for various magazines, including 'Ms,' 'Harper's,' and 'Elle,' and is the coauthor (with Amy Richards) of 'Manifesta: Young Women, Feminism, and the Future.'

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555535712
• ISBN-13: 978-1555535711
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,240,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alison Piepmeier directs the Women's and Gender Studies Program at the College of Charleston, where she is also associate professor of English. She is a recognized academic voice about third wave feminism. She has authored articles on third wave feminism for The Scholar & Feminist Online, The Women's Movement Today: An Encyclopedia of Third Wave Feminism (ed. Leslie Heywood, 2005), and Bitch magazine. She is regularly interviewed by local and national media outlets for her opinions on young feminist issues ranging from roller derby to abortion to women changing their names when they marry. She has given numerous conference presentations on grrrl zines and lectures frequently about third wave feminism and grrrl zines at colleges and universities across the country.

For more information, visit alisonpiepmeier.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catching A Wave, July 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century (Paperback)

This is a great book for anyone interested in women's issues and current feminist thinking, for anyone wanting to know what it means to be a feminist today. This book (particularly the "Doing Feminism" section) brings women's studies outside the classroom and into the real world, with essays on alternative rock, fake porn, and being a "Rrrabbi Grrrl." Catching a Wave is super smart and a lot of fun.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Third Wave Feminism, November 6, 2004

By 

J. Aragon "Feminist Educator" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century (Paperback)

Catching A Wave is a fine addition to the burgeoning cottage industry about Third Wave feminism or young feminisms. The editors have done a great job of assembling some outstanding entries that cover topics varying from hip hop feminism, arab feminism, grrrl studies, to activism in other areas. Race, gender, sexuality, and class are discussed as well.

This book doesn't read like the typical academic tome and would be best used by those familiar with women's studies, sociology, or cultural studies. This book strays away from just relying on personal anecdotes and includes discussion about cultural mores and politics.

If you like, the Third Wave Agenda, you'll equally like this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Catching a Wave: an insightful and interesting read, September 7, 2005

By 

Mallory Delarge (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Catching a Wave: Reclaiming Feminism for the 21st Century (Paperback)

I found Catching a Wave to be a great introduction to the feminist movements, past and present. Coming in to this book with little knowledge but great interest in the subject I really enjoyed the style. It is comprised of a collection of essays from different feminist writers from a range of waves and specific streams within the movement. The authors also vary from the well-known Gloria Steinem to other contributors such as one of the authors daughters. This left room for a lot of open interpretation and for many different perspectives to be heard. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to learn more about feminism or just wants a refreshing and inspiring read on an important social movement.