Sexual Politics [Paperback]

Kate Millett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 8, 2000

"Praised and denounced when it was first published in 1970, "Sexual Politics" not only explored history but also became part of it. Kate Millett's groundbreaking book fueled feminism's second wave, giving voice to the anger of a generation while documenting the inequities - neatly packaged in revered works of literature and art - of a complacent and unrepentant society. "Sexual Politics" laid the foundation for subsequent feminist scholarship by showing how cultural discourse reflects a systematized subjugation and exploitation of women. Identifying patriarchy as a socially conditioned belief system masquerading as nature, Millett demonstrates in detail how its attitudes and systems penetrate literature, philosophy, psychology, and politics. Her incendiary work rocked the foundations of the literary canon by castigating time-honored classics - from D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's "Lover" to Norman Mailer's "The Naked and the Dead" - for their use of sex to degrade and undermine women. A new introduction to this edition draws attention to some of the forms patriarchy has taken recently in consolidating its oppressive and dangerous control."

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Millett's doctoral-dissertation-turned-feminist classic offered me a useful example of a new kind of literary criticism and an exciting model for reading ... The book was a surprise best-seller, riding the wave of popular interest in women's liberation both inside and outside the university... Millett's work is being reintroduced by Illinois in part because it has genuine historical importance... The work also has something important to say to the next generation of feminists about where we have come from and where we might like to go... With Millett's out-of-print titles back on the shelf, readers of the twenty-first century will at least have the chance to wrestle with her particular brand of feminism and to discover first-hand why so many -- from detractors like Paglia to admirers like Stimpson -- have rushed to put the indomitable Kate Millett in her place." -- Laura Ciolkowski, Ms. Magazine "A passionate book by an acute literary analyst." -- New Yorker "Supremely entertaining to read, brilliantly conceived, overwhelming in its arguments, breathtaking in its command of history and literature." Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, New York Times "[Millett] translates the war of the sexes from the language of nineteenth century bedroom farce into the raw images of guerilla warfare... Even more than a political system, our sexual order is a 'habit of mind and a way of life.' Millett's book may go far toward subverting it." -- Time "Upon its original publication ... Sexual Politics was seen as provocative and groundbreaking material; today's reprint is just as essential to the residual feminist consciousness and political movement. Millett's analysis is cultural, historical, political, and literary." -- The Bloomsbury Review "A richly informative book." -- Washington Post Book World "A well documented intellectual masterpiece." -- Pittsburgh Press "The first scholarly justification for women's liberation." -- Christian Science Monitor

About the Author

Kate Millett originally wrote Sexual Politics in 1970, putting her at the forefront of the gender discussion. She lives in New York City and on her farm in upstate New York. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 424 pages
• Publisher: University of Illinois Press (March 8, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0252068890
• ISBN-13: 978-0252068898
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #318,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The First of Its Kind, July 25, 2002

By 

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

This review is from: Sexual Politics (Paperback)

It would be difficult to overstate the historical importance of Kate Millett's book today. In 1970, her pioneering analysis of mysogyny in American literature was a radical break from tradition and a risky move for a young scholar. In addition to helping to inaugurate a new school of literary criticism, feminist analysis, this book was highly influential among a certain segment of the women's movement of the 1970's. It is a must read for anyone seeking to understand that movement or the origins of feminist literary criticism.

29 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars classic, February 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Sexual Politics (Paperback)

This is a classic feminist text, and I'm glad it's finally back it print. Although written twenty years ago, it is still incredibly relevant today. Some of the statistics she sites may be different now, but, alas, little else is. This book examines the societal values, constructs, and philospohies that oppress women, and how these values are both reflected in and reinforced by works of literature. It was her doctoral dissertation, so it is scholarly and academic, but it is still a fascinating book. This could be considered the book that started the second wave of feminism, and it is still just as important for today's feminists as it was then.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fasinating Essay, January 28, 2008

By 

Sally Minkovich "SallyMink" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sexual Politics (Paperback)

This book is written in a very interesting way. Millet basically critiques different pieces of literature for their subliminal (and sometimes overt) sexist comments and connotations. The passages she writes about are very graphic and interesting; however, it is her analysis that is truly fascinating. It's a great read for feminists and non-feminists alike. The book is incredibly interesting and captivating according to everyone that I know has read it.