Customer Reviews

Women's Voices, Feminist Visions: Classic and Contemporary Readings

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I bought and read this book for my Intro. to Women's Studies course when I was an undergrad. Although my version is older, it appears very little has changed in the book (I bet at least 2 editions were published after mine).

I liked the book because of its dual layout, history and summary then essays and articles. I felt the articles were of such a range that every one could identify with at least one article in the book. I mean nothing is more tolerant and open-minded than witchcraft being included in a section about religion!

It gives you knowledge and some guidance, but you must consume it as an individual. You must take it past learning to activism. And if you are not ready for that yet, take some of those names (names of women that formed, or are forming feminism) and read deeper into their work.

This is a book for a web course I took this term. The book has an interesting set up; half of the chapter is a textbook type chapter, with background and information, the other half is a reader with selections from modern feminists. The first half was nicely done. There was the main part of the text, with boxes that featured activities and polls and profiles. The second half is what pissed me off. Now no offense to any pacific islander lesbians or hispanic transgendered people, I have no problem or complaints with you. The book however, got so caught up with issues that effected a small microcosm of society, that it failed to connect with me. You know a white woman college student. In many cases it insulted me, one essay refered to women in the academic world as 'white women helpers' of the 'male heirarchy.' Excuse me as I get my flying monkeys. It made the classic mistake of open-mindedness; it closed its mind to everything but what its being open-minded about.

I have a friend in college whose goal is to get married and have kids. She is majoring in physical therapy and plans to work in the school system so her schedual will work with the kids scheduals. Great goals, she knows more about where she is going than I am. The people portrayed in this book (and many in the course) would consider her a sell out. Would respect her more if she was living in the back of a Westfalia van writing a zine or lesbian p0rn or something. And I just can't stand that. While a man and some ankle-biters might not be in my future any time soon, I respect that that is what she wants in life. Whats the meaning of a 'woman's movement' if they don't respect women?