Fire with Fire: The New Female Power and How to Use It (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Feminist author of the bestselling The Beauty Myth , Wolf has written an empowering, impassioned manifesto that points the way toward a flexible feminism for the 1990s and beyond. Part political analysis, part psychological manual, part activist handbook, the book argues that women should renounce "victim feminism," which casts them as sexually pure, fragile, beleaguered creatures whose problems are all the fault of men. As an alternative, Wolf outlines an anti-dogmatic "power feminism" which sees women as no better and no worse than men, celebrates female sexuality and encourages women to claim their individual voices through a variety of tactics. These include "resource groups" for sharing contacts and increasing access to information and services; consumer campaigns; and pressure on the media to alter their portrayals of women. Wolf theorizes that little girls, as much as boys, have fantasies of absolute dominion but learn to repress their "will to power" at a very early age. Wolf here sketches a psychological road map designed to help women deal with their ambivalence about success, power, equality and money. Author tour.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

Wolf ( The Beauty Myth , LJ 4/1/91) has written another controversial book. The subtitle aside, most of the book is devoted to Wolf's view of what has been wrong with the feminist movement since the 1960s. Wolf objects to victim feminism and feminist "male bashing." She calls for validation of good heterosexual relationships, fostering leadership skills, and socializing girls to be less fearful about leadership and power. There are many in the feminist movement who will not like this book, but it will be welcomed by feminists who want a positive version of women's empowerment. Recommended for public, academic, and high school libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/93.
- Sharon Firestone, Ross-Blakley Law Lib., Arizona State Univ., Tempe
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 373 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (September 20, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449909514
• ISBN-13: 978-0449909515
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,174,447 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars She's controversial BECAUSE SHE GETS IT!, June 29, 2000

By	Lisa Nieforth (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

Naomi Wolf understands the importance of balance. She understands that women have in many ways been deprived of (or at best, discouraged from claiming) our rights, and that we have a responsibility now to stand up for ourselves and claim them, and to use them with our own AND others' interests in mind when we have claimed them. Speaking out about victimization is useful because it is the first step toward concrete action to reverse the situation - but glorying in one's identity as a victim is not productive.

Because she refuses to shove feminism into a rigid dogmatic paradigm and promotes balancing rights and responsibility, she gets criticism from both sides. Those on the sociopolitical right are afraid of her because she is a popular feminist who wants women to have all the resources they deserve. Some of those on the staunchly ideological left are afraid (somewhat understandably, but unfortunately) that her deviations from their dogma will undermine their efforts. This criticism is really a good thing, as it means she understands the complexity of these issues. Feminism is supposed to be about choices and balance, and Wolf espouses both. The book (like any book ever written) is not without its weak points, but these are minor in comparison to the validity of the underlying message.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment, January 24, 2000

By	G Phillips (Ireland) - See all my reviews

After the excellent 'Beauty Myth', I found this book to be a great disappointment. It may be useful for those women who have college degrees and now want to break the glass ceiling in the high powered business world, but it has nothing to say to those of us who are still trying to get access to equal pay and decent jobs. Wolf is a white middle class American and it shows - she can talk to other women like herself, but in this book she has absolutely nothing to say to the rest of us. Susan Faludi's book 'Backlash' is far more worthwhile for addressing issues that matter to the majority of women.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, May 8, 2002

By A Customer

This book changed my life. When I read this book in college it opened a whole new world of feminism to me. Prior to this book, feminists were women who didn't shave their legs, or who were lesbians, or who didn't like men. But this book really revealed the power of all women, the unity that just being a woman provides and the opportunities to work towards that unity. I truly loved this book and recommend it to all.