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The Mother of All Questions Paperback – March 7, 2017

by Rebecca Solnit (Author)

12 customer reviews

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In a timely follow-up to her national bestseller Men Explain Things to Me, Rebecca Solnit offers indispensable commentary on women who refuse to be silenced, misogynistic violence, the fragile masculinity of the literary canon, the gender binary, the recent history of rape jokes, and much more.

In characteristic style, Solnit mixes humor, keen analysis, and powerful insight in these essays.

The Mother of All Questions

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"There's a new feminist revolution – open to people of all genders – brewing right now and Rebecca Solnit is one of its most powerful, not to mention beguiling, voices."
–Barbara Ehrenreich

"These short, incisive essays that pack a powerful punch."
–Publishers Weekly

"A keen and timely commentary on gender and feminism. Solnit’s voice is calm, clear, and unapologetic; each essay balances a warm wit with confident, thoughtful analysis, resulting in a collection that is as enjoyable and accessible as it is incisive."
–Booklist

"A thought-provoking and important anthology."
–Library Journal

"Trenchant and hopeful, the book reveals that the ongoing work of righting the wrongs of patriarchy is only part of a much larger project of social justice for all people. As always, Solnit is eloquent and sharply insightful."
–Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Writer, historian, and activist Rebecca Solnit is the author of eighteen or so books on feminism, western and indigenous history, popular power, social change and insurrection, wandering and walking, hope and disaster, including the books Men Explain Things to Me and Hope in the Dark, both also with Haymarket; a trilogy of atlases of American cities; The Faraway Nearby; A Paradise Built in Hell: The Extraordinary Communities that Arise in Disaster; A Field Guide to Getting Lost; Wanderlust: A History of Walking; and River of Shadows, Eadweard Muybridge and the Technological Wild West (for which she received a Guggenheim, the National Book Critics Circle Award in criticism, and the Lannan Literary Award). A product of the California public education system from kindergarten to graduate school, she is a columnist at Harper's and a regular contributor to the Guardian.

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Product details

Paperback: 192 pages
Publisher: Haymarket Books (March 7, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1608467406
ISBN-13: 978-1608467402
Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.7 x 7.4 inches
Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #12 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Gender Studies > General
- #22 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Women's Studies > Feminist Theory
- #75 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Humor > Essays

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Top customer reviews

Mandatory reading: An explanation for why men need to join (but not replace) women in the feminist movement.

ByDonny Riceon February 25, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I preordered this book with high expectations, having recently finished Men Explain Things To Me. And let me say: It surpassed them! This book is a phenomenal look into how men need to (also) be feminists. What I especially appreciated about this book is that it was even more aware of intersectionality and privilege than Men Explain Things To Me. Solnit shows much more awareness and appreciation for not only race, sex, cisgender, sexual orientation, class, age, religion, etc. ... she also calls out how these combine and interact. Another thing I like is how surprisingly relevant the book is, making references to occurrences as recent as Donald Trump's "Grab them by the pussy" comment.

Now, I do not want to call this a flawless book. Remember, it is a collection of essays, and while they generally build upon each other, you might get to the end of the book and think, "What kind of ending was that?" I found the first half of the book especially exceptional, with the second half being still great, but not *as* great, especially with final chapter. But Solnit, as always, is a magician with her writing, and will take you on a meandering, but laser-focused, journey through modern-day feminism.

0Comment 55 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Solnit explains things to men.

Bygreg taylorVINE VOICEon April 4, 2017

Format: Kindle Edition

The thinking behind this book is exactly the quality of thinking that has been missing in American civic life for this past election cycle. Solnit is incisive, challenging and more than a little disturbing. She is focused throughout this collection on the silence that patriarchy imposes on women (and, in a different way, on men) and the way that silence is extended to include people of color, lesbians, gay men, etc.
In this review, I mostly want to talk to men who are challenged by and resistant to her arguments. One of Solnit's main themes is the role that violence or the threat of violence plays in maintaining patriarchy. I would like to recount for you two quick stories:
Many years ago, I read a review of Susan Brownmiller's Men Women and Rape which stated that Brownmiller's thesis could be summarized as saying that all men want to rape all women. I found that summation absurd but it also made me wonder. So I performed a social experiment. For the next five years or so, I asked women (who I knew well enough) if they had ever been the victim of some sort of sexual assault. Out of the 20+ women who I had this conversation with, all of them said yes. The assaults ranged from men masturbating in front of them in some sort of public space to overly aggressive dates to actual rape one of which occurred at knife point. Some of these assaults were able to be laughed off and some changed the lives of the woman involved. All involved the possibility or actuality of violence.
My second story come from a recent bout of jury duty in Portland, OR. I was pooled along with 47 other people for a case involving resisting arrest. One of the questions that we all were asked was had we ever been the victim of a crime and, if so, what? Of the 24 or so women in our pool, 10 stated that they had been the victim of a sexual assault. None of the men had been the victim of a violent crime.
My suggestion is to read Solnit as though you are thirsty and her book is a glass of water. Then go out and talk to some of the women you know about what you read and ask them what they think. And then listen to them. And then read Susan Brison's Aftermath and then listen some more.
Maybe the best way for men and women to really have a real conversation about feminism, patriarchy and violence is for us men to be quiet for a while. Just saying.

0Comment 25 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Five Stars

ByJ. Rodriguezon May 14, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Must have essay collection. Includes "80 Books No Woman Should Read" and "Men Explain Lolita to Me".

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Wonderful & moving

ByLeannaon March 30, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This essay collection is one my favorite my Solnit (which is saying something). I can't suggest reading it strongly enough.

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

In this day and age everyone needs the wisdom, wit and inspiration that she brought to this book.

ByJRupon May 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Rebecca Solnit is an amazingly talented thinker and writer. "The Mother of All Questions" is an inspiring book which I highly recommend.

11 commentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Powerful essays

ByElizabeth Reidon May 25, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Art... Stories..change us, can make us stupid, can hide the truth. Some of the essays are repetitive. That is helpful as it reveals another layer of what is hidden...A tough book about men hating on women. Not all men ..But how hating on women effects all women. Brilliant.

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Five Stars

Byamhon June 11, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Excellent.

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Five Stars

ByThesselion May 14, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wonderful book.

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Most recent customer reviews

I enjoy her writing

Solnit is clear sighted and unafraid to speak the truth. I enjoy her writing.

Published 2 months ago by rolishopper

Five Stars

Solnit's books never disappoint!

Published 2 months ago by Laura Tamakoshi

Solnit is smart and witty and I really like her work

I have the same criticism of this book as I did for Men Explain Things to Me: Some essays are exponentially stronger than others, and being a collection of essays on essentially...Read more

Published 2 months ago by Kim

Amazing read. Confirms the inklings of a restive mind ...

Amazing read. Confirms the inklings of a restive mind as one grows and goes through life. Concise, clear-headed and plain-spoken.Read more

Published 2 months ago by Marybeth Mitts

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