Radically Speaking [Paperback]

Diane Bell (Editor), Renate Klein (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1996

Showing that a radical feminist analysis cuts across class, race, sexuality, region, and religion, the varied contributors in this collection reveal the global reach of radical feminism and analyze the causes and solutions to patriarchal oppression.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bell and Klein have put together a powerful, dense, and interesting collection of essays about radical feminism, a political philosophy that "makes visible male control as it is exercised in every sphere of women's lives, both public and private." Writers include the familiar names in feminist philosophy-Robin Morgan, Catherine MacKinnon, Marcia Gillespie, and Andrea Dworkin-as well as those newer to the scene. Especially noteworthy here is the great effort of the editors to include writers from several countries and cultures. The selections demonstrate the editors' assertion that "radical feminism has always welcomed and acknowledged the diversity of women, while stressing commonality." Particularly interesting are the selections on "therapy and how it undermines the practice of radical feminism" and the group editing efforts of seven Generation X representatives who respond to the ongoing debate about MacKinnon's stand against pornography. At a time when Camille Paglia and others are denouncing the "second wave of feminism," these are important voices for feminists to read, and the book is full of the kind of discussion that is most exciting for feminists today. Recommended for all libraries.
Barbara O'Hara, Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 654 pages
• Publisher: Spinifex Press (May 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1875559388
• ISBN-13: 978-1875559381
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,005,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly, text book, March 20, 2000

By 

saliero (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Radically Speaking (Paperback)

I imagine this will be used in Women's Studies courses. It is also accessible to the general reader, even ones whose university days are long behind them!

It is a very useful update on radical feminism - free of postmodern jargon (and positively hostile to post modernism in places. Little cheer from the sidelines on that score!)A whole section is devoted to an "interogation" of post modernism.

It does offer material from a number of cultural perspectives, so is not at all dismissive of their eing different views and experiences of feminism.

I think the editors are Australian, or at least worked there for long periods, and i think it shows. I have always found Australian feminism to be more eclectic, perhaps pragmatic, certainly less one-side posturing than some others. Australian feminists achieved a lot over the past 25 years, succeeding at infiltrating the very corridors of bureaucracy (a breed of bureaucrats known as Femocrats emerged). There were fundamental policy changes. Now rapidly being undone by a radically conservative govt. The need for feminism is not over, and this volume takes its place on the shelves, updating feminist thought and taking us back to the need to focus on the reality of women's lives. A good companion volume to Germaine Greer's The Whole Woman.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, June 30, 2004

By 

Chris Macdonald Dennis (St. Paul, MN U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Radically Speaking (Paperback)

If you want to understand the importance of feminism to the world, read this book!