New Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Book by and for Women [Paperback]

Boston Boston womens health book collective (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 1996

Our Bodies, Ourselves for the New Century is the first major revision of this classic since 1984 and reflects the major changes that have occurred in every area of women's health. It is still the definitive consumer health reference of all women.

This new focus encompasses such controversial issues as:
-- Managing "managed care" and the insurance industry
-- Questioning breast cancer treatment options
-- Recent scientific developments in contraception and reproductive technology, including drug-induced abortions
-- Violence as a women's public health issue
-- Preventing and living with HIV/AIDS
-- The impact of racism on sexuality
-- Chiropractic, herbal, and other alternative/complementary therapies, including natural approaches to menopause
-- Poverty and racism as major determinants of women's health.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Three decades ago, information about women's health was hoarded by physicians and doled out sparingly to their female patients. Our Bodies, Ourselves, first published in 1969, helped change that situation. The latest edition runs 752 pages and covers a stunning range of territory about women's physical beings: fitness (this section includes a reminder that overweight women have a right to not exercise), reproductive health, aging, sexuality, and childbirth. It also includes thick chapters on relationships and information about mental-health issues, including psychotherapy. The New Our Bodies, Ourselves is the straightest-talking, most comprehensive book about women's health on the market.

From Library Journal

Accurate, objective information about women's health can be difficult to find. Opinion about hormone replacement therapy, cancer treatments, and contraception vary. These two new books help women care for themselves and make informed decisions about medical treatment. The New Our Bodies, Ourselves is a revised and expanded update of the 1984 edition ( LJ 3/15/85), which itself was a revision of the landmark original ( LJ 2/1/73). This encyclopedia of women's health is organized by broad subject areas: relationships and sexuality, fertility, childbearing, and aging. Each chapter has comprehensive information about the subject, quotations from women who have experience with the condition, notes and references, and referrals for further information. Charts and diagrams augment the text. This edition has the latest information on contraception, HIV/AIDS, RU-486, and chronic fatigue syndrome as well as coverage of topics like sex and physical disabilities, violence against women, and environmental and occupational health. It is an outstanding resource written by and for women with accessible information for all collections. The Women's Encyclopedia of Health & Emotional Healing pales by comparison. It covers the same material, but it remains at a superficial level. The alphabetical entries are two to four pages long. Several subjects are needlessly divided--birth control pills and contraception; breast care, breast surgery, and fibrocystic breast. Some entries, such as cellulite and wrinkles, seem of minor importance. While this book does contain useful self-help information on discussing condom use with sexual partners and preventing cystitis, the lack of anatomical diagrams, references, and referral information limits its effectiveness. It provides just enough content to start a search and leaves the user with nowhere to go for more. The New Our Bodies, Ourselves costs less and has much more to offer. The Women's Encyclopedia of Health & Emotional Healing is not a necessary purchase.
- Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland P.L., Cal.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Touchstone; 25th Anv edition (March 7, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684823527
• ISBN-13: 978-0684823522
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,528,696 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE one book I would recommend to my colleagues and clients, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: New Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Book by and for Women (Paperback)

If I could only recommend one book on women's health to my colleagues and clients, this would be it. Unlike other women's health books, this one recognizes that health and well-being is more than simply the presence or absence of illness or physical conditions. It's time that women learn about their bodies and health in the context of their lives and not just out of a medical textbook. I applaud the authors for their appreciation of women's diversity, both in bodies and lifestyles, and the personal uniqueness that each of us can learn to cherish. Every woman should have this book.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars guide for healthy living and knowledgeable health care, July 23, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: New Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Book by and for Women (Paperback)

A good summary of health care for women. The text includes descriptions of conditions which women should be aware of (e.g., breast cancer, depression) as well as treatment options. In addition the text includes sections on women's mental health and on environmental sources of health problems (job, stress, cleaning solutions). One very nice feature of _The New Our Bodies, Ourselves_ is that each chapter ends with a listing of resources. If, in reading a chapter, you find something on which you would like more information, several sources will be listed at the end of the chapter. I have used this text in my "Psychology of Gender" course and the female students have all reacted _very_ positively to the book. This is high praise considering the students are quite conservative in their thinking

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Revision isn't an improvement if you're under 30, August 2, 2004

By 

H. Pope "HK" (Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The New Our Bodies, Ourselves: A Book By and For Women (Paperback)

When this book came out in the 70's it was incredible. I loved it. It taught me so much about my own body!
Now that I'm looking to give that same resource to my children, I went straight for this book -- only to find that the revision has changed its focus toward menopause and politics and away from some of the basic stuff that I needed a good resource for when _I_ was 13, and my daughter needs now. I had hoped to use it as a backup/supplement to our "big talk", but am looking for a better alternative.
The new stuff would be fine, if it were ADDED to, instead of replacing some of the old stuff.