Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and A World Without Rape (Paperback)

~ (Author), (Author)
Key Phrases: healthy sexuality, reclaiming touch, rape apologists, United States, Invasion of Space, Offensive Feminism (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Activists and writers Friedman and Valenti (He's a Stud, She's a Slut) deliver an extraordinary essay compilation focusing on the struggle to stop rape in the U.S. and the importance of sexual identity and ownership. Early on, Thomas MacAulay Millar and Rachel Kramer Bussel explain how the "no means no" concept (sexual consent equals the absence of no) must be rejected in favor of a "yes means yes" mentality: the idea that consent means affirmative participation in the act itself, a broader definition that better protects women while encouraging power over-not fear of-personal sexual identity. Other topics include body image and self-esteem issues as well as incest, the dangers faced by female immigrants and the public perception of rape; in "Trial by Media," Samhita Mukhopadhyay looks at the Duke Lacrosse rape case and finds the media acting in the tradition of slavery by commodifying the young, female African-American body. Though surprisingly entertaining throughout, with no shortage of wit or humor, unexpected topics (Friedman on enjoying sex, transsexual writer Julia Serano on the mixed cultural messages that lead "nice guys" to sexual aggression) keep the book dynamic. Sure to empower and inform, this is an important and inspiring read for assault survivors, educators, activists, experts and those on a path to self discovery.
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Review

"Of all the arguments out there that propose how to end rape, embracing women’s sexual pleasure may not sound like a likely solution. But Yes Means Yes argues otherwise. By investigating the myriad ways the sexual choices of women can take shape, this anthology argues, not only should women know what they don’t want, but they also should seize their freedom to explore what they do want. By challenging blanket claims, like that all males are sexual aggressors, and taking the shame away from females who are bona fide sexual submissives, Yes Means Yes says the conscious decisions we make about sex in its many forms are the best medicine for the illness that is rape culture."
—Bust Magazine

"Utopian novels have grappled with the idea of a world without rape, but what would the path to that world look like? The controversial essays that make up Yes Means Yes! light the way along this very rough road and, not surprisingly, offer no easy solutions…The authors in this collection speak with authority and, unfortunately for some, from personal experience."
—Ms. Magazine

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Seal Press; illustrated edition edition (December 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580052576
• ISBN-13: 978-1580052573
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,102 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #4 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Self Defense
  #5 in	Books > Health, Mind & Body > Mental Health > Abuse & Self Defense > Rape
  #8 in	Books > Nonfiction > Women's Studies > Feminist Theory

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intense, inspiring, and well worth it., February 25, 2009

By	W. Edwards "scuto" (massachusetts) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book deals with intense subjects so you have to be feeling a little brave to begin reading. (At least I do!) Though without dealing with these issues head-on the book could not do what it does best: inspire you that we can work to eradicate rape and at the same time make the sex and sexuality playing field more level, fluid, communicative, and respectful of people's boundaries. Not only do these collected essays identify the problems, they also put forth ways to repair them and move forward. It's a matter of learning to live the ideas found in these pages. Not easy, but certainly within our capabilities.

I enjoyed the book's use of tags on each essay like a blog instead of grouping them in sections of similar themes as per usual in books. It makes reading the book feel more engaging because you have a say in where you go next. Under the tags at the end of each essay are other essays working with the same theme(s). I would have liked page numbers alongside these listed essays, but this is a minor quibble because I don't mind flipping a few pages. Plus, in heading back to the table of contents, you may find an essay you wish to read that shares none of the tags of the essay you just read. Dynamic reading, indeed!

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it, February 25, 2009

By	mirandanyc - See all my reviews

This book is a fabulous, life-affirming ode to pleasure. With essays written from laudably diverse voices and covering a broad range of topics, it gives breath to a new generation of anti-rape activists. I put the book down feeling refreshed, whole, powerful. Highly recommended.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes!, February 24, 2009

By	P. Lay (Birmingham, AL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A new (if you haven't been keeping up with the feminist blogs) and transformative way to look at how we approach our relationships, both casual and long-term. Obviously this subject matter can get heavy, but I came away from the book feeling really positive. A great read.