Book Recommendations (Updated)

  1. Decolonize The Left
    Decolonize The Left
    The purpose of this thread is to provide an easy-to-access list of reading material surrounding feminist theory. I will update this list periodically as people recommend more books in responses here in this thread, and I will draw from this thread as well.

    Websites

    Wikipedia on Feminism
    Wikipedia's List of Feminist Literature
    Feminism and Women's Studies
    Feminist Theory Website
    Feminism 101 Blog
    Feministing

    Feminist Literature

    Our Bodies, Ourselves
    by Boston Woman's Health Collective

    The Human Condition
    by Hannah Arendt
    Between Past and Future by Hannah Arendt
    Towards a New Psychology of Women by Jean Miller Baker
    The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
    Women and Socialism by August Bebel
    Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity by Judith Butler
    Analyzing Oppression by Ann Cudd
    Quiet Rumors by Darkstar Collective
    Body Outlaws ed. by Ophira Edut.
    Origins of the Family by Friedrich Engels
    The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory by Marilyn Frye
    Feminist Theory by Bell Hooks
    ****: A Declaration of Independence by Inga Musico
    Sex and Social Justice by Martha Nussbaum
    Daughter of Earth
    by Agnes Smedley
    Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide by Andrea Smith
    Feminist Thought: A More Comprehensive Introduction (second edition)
    by Rosemarie Putnam Tong
    Feminism and the Abyss of Freedom by Linda Zerilli

    - August
  2. DesertShark
    DesertShark
    Thanks for organizing the book list in an easily accessible manner!
  3. Decolonize The Left
    Decolonize The Left
    You're welcome. I'll add more as the recommendations arise, and perhaps alphabetize the list if I get bored at any point.. keep reading!

    - August
  4. rogue
    rogue
    There is certainly a lot out there and I would have to do some brainstorming, but I have to recommend Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide by Andrea Smith. It sounds really specific but it addresses racism and capitalism and how they interact with patriarchy really well.
  5. ev
    Why Men Rule: A theory of male dominance by Steven Goldberg

    Just joking But, I would like to get an introduction into feminism, is there any good books that will introduce me into the subject from a female perspective, I would be grateful.
  6. DesertShark
    DesertShark
    I would like to get an introduction into feminism, is there any good books that will introduce me into the subject from a female perspective, I would be grateful.
    Ummm...yea...all the books listed in this thread that have a female author...(Simone de Beauvoir, Agnes Smedley, Rosemarie Putnam Tong, Jean Miller Baker, Inga Musico, Judith Butler, Martha Nussbaum, Linda Zerilli, Hannah Arendt, Andrea Smith)

    But seriously, is there some aspect of feminism you want an introduction to, or just the overall ideal? If it's the overall, I can break that down pretty quick: feminists believe that women should be treated equally to men and that people shouldn't be judged by their sex. You could also check out this website: http://www.mit.edu/~shaslang/papers/femintro.html (they have a huge bibliography that you can mine for books to read)

    -DesertShark
  7. ev
    is there some aspect of feminism you want an introduction to, or just the overall ideal?
    What are the different aspects of feminism? A book/s on that would be great recommendations?
  8. Decolonize The Left
    Decolonize The Left
    What are the different aspects of feminism? A book/s on that would be great recommendations?
    I can't recall any specific book off the top of my head. But wikipedia has a section on Movements and Ideologies which might be helpful.

    Also, basic introductions to Feminism ought to lay out the different aspects. I searched Amazon really quickly and found this book: Issues in Feminism: An Introduction to Women's Studies.

    Here's one of the reviews:
    "When I came to read this book, it was from a perspective of learning very little about feminism. This book was required for a class that I took, and it was perhaps the only book I took away from college with a continued interest to read again and more thoroughly. I am not the most learned scholar on the subject of women's issues, but the selections in this book really struck me as perfect for an introduction and to garner passion for the subject, as well as being very educational. Very accessible as well for younger people or newbies to the subject."

    Perhaps this book is what you were looking for? Hope this helps.

    - August
  9. ev
    I can't recall any specific book off the top of my head. But wikipedia has a section on Movements and Ideologies which might be helpful.

    Also, basic introductions to Feminism ought to lay out the different aspects. I searched Amazon really quickly and found this book: Issues in Feminism: An Introduction to Women's Studies.

    Here's one of the reviews:
    "When I came to read this book, it was from a perspective of learning very little about feminism. This book was required for a class that I took, and it was perhaps the only book I took away from college with a continued interest to read again and more thoroughly. I am not the most learned scholar on the subject of women's issues, but the selections in this book really struck me as perfect for an introduction and to garner passion for the subject, as well as being very educational. Very accessible as well for younger people or newbies to the subject."

    Perhaps this book is what you were looking for? Hope this helps.

    - August
    Not sure yet, I'll read it asap. Thank you very much for your reply! I look forward to reading more material relating to this topic.
  10. DesertShark
    DesertShark
    The Politics of Reality: essays in feminist theory by Marilyn Frye
    The first essay in this, "Oppression" is very good, especially for any males who don't understand the oppression women face.
  11. Decolonize The Left
    Decolonize The Left
    Added.
  12. Rascolnikova
    Rascolnikova
    I really loved Feminist Theory, by Bell Hooks, and Body Outlaws, a compilation of personal essays edited by Ophira Edut.

    Maybe it would be a good idea to include a brief review in the list, with each recommended book? I would like to know what exactly everybody likes about their recommendations.
  13. DesertShark
    DesertShark
    What about a thread for the discussion and review of books listed here? With a link to the thread in the book list above?
  14. KurtFF8
    KurtFF8
    Analyzing Oppression by Ann Cudd is pretty good. She also has a book called "Feminist Theory" which ought to be good as well.
  15. Decolonize The Left
    Decolonize The Left
    Added the last three.

    Rascolnikova, I think a brief review would make the OP a little large and obtrusive. If you'd like, I could link the titles to amazon, wikipedia, or some other resource which would have a synopsis, etc.. on the page?

    DesertShark, you're free to create the thread regarding discussion/review - I'll link it if it takes off.

    Thanks to everyone for contributing. Keep reading and keep sharing.