Catherine Redfern

This book goes a long way towards explaining why many women don't identify as feminists, and don't want to. The authors conflate traditional feminism (I.e. equality between men and women) with a huge number of other areas, which only serves to alienate people.

For example, the book argues that feminists cannot be capitalists because capitalism embeds 'structural inequalities'. No case is made for this argument, more it is simply assumed that the reader agrees. Fine, if that's your target audience, but don't be surprised if non-lefties don't want to abandon all their politics for the 'privilege' of the feminist label.… (altro)

For some reason, the 'F' word has become almost a word of shame for many modern women. They see the feminism of their mothers as something irrelevant or out of date. This book has been written to redress that balance. The thesis of the book is that feminism is more relevant than ever in today's modern society. Despite the leaps forward for women, we are still a very long way from achieving equality.

This book sets out a new agenda for the modern feminist movement - relevant to women today rather than women 40 years ago. It updates many of the old demands, sometimes reclaiming them, sometimes offering something new. But when you finish the book, you realise that feminism is something that can't be left to the annals of history. If today's women don't continue to fight, even the current progress could be lost.

A strong book which is worth referring back to again and again, and which should be on the bookshelf of every modern woman.… (altro)

I had really high hopes when I started this book. I wanted it to educate and inspire me, to rouse my passions and show me some of the amazing people today who are fighting for equality for all, highlighting the issues that really matter to the modern woman. I think that's probably how Redfern and Aune want their book to be received, too, but sadly, it just didn't hit the spot for me, particularly after reading the amazing 'The Beauty Myth' by Naomi Wolf a few years ago.

Don't get me wrong, it was an interesting little read. It is split into seven chapters, covering different areas of feminist interest, including body image, sexuality, violence against women, home and work, politics, religion and popular culture. The seventh chapter focuses on feminism itself, and the necessity of reclaiming the term from the negative connotations that have risen up around it. Not knowing that much about feminism over the years, it came as a surprise to me to find, for example, that it is truly about equality, focussing on bringing men up to women's levels in areas where they are undervalued, as much as it as about raising women to the level of men where they face discrimination. Each chapter discusses the modern issues within that particular area of society, giving statistics and survey results, showcasing feminist battles to counteract discrimination, and offering ideas as to how to get involved.

My problem was that it all seemed so shallow, so half-baked, somehow. Feminism-lite, if you will. Surveys and statistics were thrown around without a word of explanation of interpretation, and anecdotes and examples were offered haphazardly for the reader's perusal. Reading it sometimes felt like I was bouncing across a sea of figures and quotes, hopping around without any kind of enlightenment or analysis from the authors. If I'd written an essay like that at university, I'm fairly sure it would have come back with 'own thoughts?' or 'explain further?' scribbled in red pen in the margins. It made certain sections, particularly the politics and religion chapter, very difficult to read without getting bogged down. There were also problems with certain terms and references going unexplained. For example, I know what FGM means, but other readers might not - the briefest of explanations would have served to clarify things.

That said, it was an easy-to-read introduction to modern feminism that might suit younger readers and newcomers to feminist thought wanting to know more about feminism in society today. The popular culture references and surveys are bang up-to-date, and perhaps most refreshingly of all, this is a British-focussed book, so most of the statistics and feminist activities mentioned are British-based. There is an extensive 'notes' section listing all sources used for the book, and a condensed bibliography for each chapter, pointing the reader in the direction of more specialised books on each issue, which might come in especially handy for students. The verdict? Some interesting ideas - but I've read better.… (altro)

I have really enjoyed this book and although its contents are not exactly groundbreaking, I think it is very useful in two ways:
First, it is a book that would serve very well as a fairly thorough introduction to feminism as it stands now; and it is definitely something I'd recommend to someone who was looking for something to give (for example) to their teenage daughter. It is a surprisingly easy and fluid read, and covers the multiple issues affecting women today with enough brevity to keep those with a short attention span interested, yet still providing a remarkably comprehensive overview.
It is divided into chapters moving gradually from the personal to the public spheres, and offers a handy list of ways to get involved at the end of each chapter. While this is mainly written from a UK perspective, with results of surveys carried out in the UK used as examples and published at the end of the book, it still provides a useful snapshot of the views feminists today, and helps set a few preconceptions straight.
Secondly, it serves as a reminder to those who, while definitely considering themselves feminists, have maybe become a little complacent and are not always aware how much really still needs to be done to truly achieve the kind of equality that feminism strives for. I would count myself in that group, and while I not always agree with the possible solutions supplied, it has served as an encouragement for me to become a little more outspoken and question a few more things that I previously accepted at face value.… (altro)