Customer Reviews

Feminism Without Illusions: A Critique of Individualism

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Fox-Genovese's book marks the culmination of decades of work in history and feminist theory. The range of knowledge represented here is staggering, yet her argument is elegant and clear: feminism, as the daughter of the liberal revolutions of the 18th century, creates both opportunities and serious dangers as postmodernism ascends. For anyone interested in feminist theory, postmodern theory, capitalism and the rise of the individual, or women's history, this book is a must-read. The bibliography alone is worth the cost of the volume.

As with most of this author's books she takes a perspective of feminism that is not influenced by radical liberalism. This is a book that appeals to many who reject much of the politicized modern radical feminism and allows for many to explore important issues that may have otherwise been rejected. Unfortunately many of the writing of some of the greatest and most gifted feminists are ignored because they don't fit into a modern narrow liberal feminist world view.

I found this to be an almost unreadable book. I would find my mind drifting as I tried to force myself to read. I would reread sentences and still have trouble deciding what, if anything, they meant. In the end, I thought this was an extremely silly book. When Fox-Genovese was clear, she was making idiotic remarks such as claiming that feminism seeks to share the powerlessness of the mother.