The Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution [Paperback]

Shulamith Firestone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

Beginning with the premise that there is a fundamental biological inequality in the sexes, the author presents her classic blueprint for social revolution. Reissue. 25,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Dialectic of Sex is a must-have for those interested in feminist theory, both past and present. It's reappearance now, during yet another period of 'ridicule' towards women's rights, is perhaps even more pertinent than its first publication."
-Kathleen Hanna, founding member of the Riot Grrrls movement

"The Dialectic of Sex is a truly visionary work. Thirty years later, many of Firestone's ideas remain startlingly relevant, making Dialectic essential reading not only for its value as feminist history but its contribution to feminism's future.
-Lisa Miya-Jervis, editor and publisher Bitch: Feminist Response to Pop Culture

"Although Gen X women like to fancy ourselves the "freshmakers" of feminism, Shulamith Firestone reminds us that sisters have been "keeping it real" long before that expression was even invented. These power-packed chapters are live and direct, with a cultural shelf life that spans well into our times."
-Ophira Edut, editor Body Outlaws: Young Women Write about Body Image and Identity, founder and publisher HUES magazine

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Shulamith Firestone was a founder of the women’s liberation movement and editor of Notes, a journal of radical feminism. She lives in New York City.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Quill (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688123597
• ISBN-13: 978-0688123598
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,701 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Text of the Women's Movement, July 25, 2002

By 

feministprof "feministprof" (philadelphia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution (Paperback)

Shulamith Firestone's now classic work was an important influence on, and manifestation of, the 1970's women's movement. Firestone, an active participant in the Chicago and New York radical feminist scenes, captures the spirit of the movement, and the historical moement, in this work. Combining a material and feminist analysis of women's status in Western society, Firestone makes a case for revolution that may seem extreme to today's reader. However, this text is essential for understanding 1970's radical feminism and it is wonderful to have it back in print.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A powerful argument for radical feminist revolution., December 13, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (New Haven, CT, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The dialectic of sex: The case for feminist revolution (Paperback)

Shulamith Firestone's 1970 text calling for a radical re-thinking of the basis of modern social structures remains a powerful analysis of the state of patriarchy and the feminist movements of the Twentieth Centry. Firestone's central claim is that only in abolishing the sexual differences rooted in biology and reproduction can women, and by extension all humans, free themselves of the sex caste system which privileges men over women and children. In her book, she takes on important thinkers such as Freud and Marx, exposing their oversights and/or oppositions to a true revolution of sex. She ultimately looks to technology (cybernation) as the means by which humans can finally take control of reproductive necessity and correct the accident of Nature that insists on sexual difference and differential power dynamics.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best book on the feminist revolution ive ever read, December 27, 2011

By 

toby - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Dialectic of Sex: The Case for Feminist Revolution (Paperback)

i wish they would re release this book. its by far my favorite feminist book. unfortionatly you either have to search really hard (i found mine in a bargain lot in an auction) or pay out the ear for it. It is to me the most important book in womens studies i have found. that and the feminine mystique. its also never been released on kindle (hint hint amazon, id so love to have it on there because my copy is probably as old as the movement it was written on jk).
people go to feminism for a multitude of reasons and in doing so seek knowledge of its origins. to me the dialectic of sex is one of the most empowering books ive ever read. shulamith firestone is so raw and bold in this rock in books of feminist studies. so much more than i could imagine for that time period. if you are new to feminism or are an old hand at it i would especially recommend looking for a copy of the dialectic of sex because this book is life changing. i wouldnt part with mine for anything.