Customer Reviews

Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem

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We are the same age, in the same generation of the "transitional women." I related very much to Ms. Steinem's odyssey, as in principal it was my own. I am glad that our #1 spokesperson has published what I found out myself: we have power, we needn't ask for it or demand it, and we must guard it and use it responsibly. Even my mother, who despaired of me, has turned into a Steinem fan after she read the book! Ms. Steinem is a leader, an extremely intelligent and feminine woman. I am gratified to have her as a mirror and an articulate commentator on what it is to be a women in America.

Gloria Steinem has given us a wonderful opportunity to see her as far more than just a feminist, political activist, and one of the most influental women of the 20th century. Her full-blooded life springs from the pages of this book, sharing a powerful message of self-discovery and self-love. If anyone can speak of the disillusionment fraught within celebrity, and the ensuing blows to one's self-esteem, it is Gloria Steinem. Criticized and scrutinized for everything from her love life to her choice of colored hose, Steinem has experienced first hand the ludicrous workings of the media. Her resulting insight into such issues as self-individuation and self-identification are timely and important. Gloria has created a beautiful work of art which defies the media's constant need to define and label her into neat little categories; in "Revolution From Within: A Book of Self-Esteem" Gloria defines herself as human being, a category we can all relate to.

I have read many many books, and I have to say that this is one of my absolute favorites. This is a book of the highest quality. Don't be fooled from the title, this is not a sappy how to love yourself book. This is a straight forward, intense account of the world around us as we know it. Yet in a way, that I believe only Gloria Steinem could tell it. She is at once brilliant, insightful, comforting, and angering. Her book made me see life through new eyes, better eyes. Steinem's book is also so obviously well researched, in fact startling facts and statistics reside on every page. If you want to feel passion and rightous anger in your soul, or if you want to read a book that will open your eyes, read this one. Books of this caliber really do not come around that often.

I have read this book and then handed it on to all of the people in my life. In fact, if I had enough money, I would buy a copy of this book for everybody that I know. This perfectly explains why I am a feminist and why I will not stop the fight. Steinem is an amazingly intelligent woman who teaches the reader a lot about life. This book will definitely benifit anyone who wants to learn about history, life, women, equality and inequality...Please, do yourself a favor and read this book. I thoroughly recommend it.

After undercover work as a bunny in Hugh Hefner's Playboy Club, Gloria Steinmen's expose of world of wearing a rabbit outfit and 6 inch shoes with tight corsets made her the Queen of Feminists. This came out when I was a teenager and her vision and mission made an impression even then. A must have book for any feminist's collection.

It's unfortunate that this book was read and reviewed as "the scoop on Gloria Steinem's love life" or "just goes to show that feminists have psychological problems." What she's really talking about is a process of inner liberation that transcends age, looks, and sex. The book has valuable insights for everyone, and deserves to be read with more attention to its contents than to its author's political beliefs.

This is the first book I read by Gloria Steinmen and I thought it was excellent. I remember a couple of years ago watching an interview with Gloria Steinmen who stated that there was no biological difference between men and women. Right away I thought she was crazy - of course there are biological differences between men and women - it's a scientific fact. But after reading this book, I understood the reason she had said that.

Throughout history, people have used "scientific" reasoning to differentiate between men and women resulting with women being the "weaker" sex. Take for example, craniometry - which skull size and shape determines brain size which determines such things as intelligence and capacity for moral behavior. Of course we know now today how ridiculous and inaccurate it is to determine a person's intelligence by their skull size. But craniology was used in the 19th century by the British to justify racist policies such as Irish and black Africans (which the British considered to be inferior races.) Craniology was also used in France to demonstrated that women are inferior to men because of their smaller crania (implying that small brains equated inferior intellingence.) This book had a section about craniology as applied to women and different races, as well as other examples of how society has used many explanations (scientific or social or moral) to keep women in their place.

So when Gloria Steinment stated that biologically men and women were not different in physical strength and ability, she was questioning our perception of the sexes based on "scientific" research. Basically, we can't always accept what the scientific community has to say about the sexes because much of their reasoning will be based on social expectations - veiled with a "scientific" explanation.

This is a very empowering book. It questions a woman's role in society through history. This book reminded me what we all had learned in our education - to question everything that is accepted in society, because the reasoning is not always as "scientific" as they claim.

I've read this book at various points in my life and it never fails to ring true. In crappy times it was the voice of clarity and confidence, and with the existing empowerment in the day-to-day, it serves as validation and a nice boost to want to do more. This book should be required reading for every teenaged girl.

This book addresses the problem of self-esteem in general, but it is particularly suited for women. While every woman will not agree with all of Gloria Steinem's views, this book has become a classic. It addresses a fundamental problem in the female life cycle. The author has developed a clear insight into her own inner struggles, and has a remarkable ability of introspection. One may have the genes, the education, the financial security, and many other advantages in life, but if a woman is lacking in self-esteem their talents are wasted. The author has seen if happen among women, and obviously felt compelled enough to write a book about the problem. Gloria Steinem is a voice, one voice, but what a voice!

Like a beacon of light, this book provided me with the inspiration slowly draining from my activism. So often, as a woman, I feel I must concentrate on the characteristics of myself that are celebrated by this patriarchal society to be taken seriously. I really needed a feminist voice to remind me of the freedom of self that is the goal of social equality.

As always, Steinem's writing is full of qualified sources and she never speaks down to the reader, although it is still a relatively easy read. Written with a sense of humor and love of life, it provided refreshing hope for the future.

I cannot communicate in words what this book means to me. The hope that individual change can lead in the social revolution is so simple but the idea is life-changing and life-affirming. This is for everyone who is feeling a little dissillusioned and questioning their purpose in life or their power over/in their life.