Reviews (8)

Excellent Resource
Leila Ahmed's "Woman and Gender in Islam: Historical Roots of a Modern Debate" is an outstanding contribution to the field of Middle Eastern Women's Studies. Ahmed explores and effectively dissects the many intersections between women, gender, and Islam. Her book is readable and makes an excellent sourcebook for those who are interested in the historical foundations of women and Islam.
Everyone should read this
By far the best scholarly and historical work amidst the increasing number of books on this topic.Particularly interesting is the discussion of how Muslim caliphs adopted the Persian custom of having huge imperial harems.Of course, this is one of the aspects of "Muslim" culture that really tantalized the early Orientalists, as discussed by Edward Said in his book on the subject.

Good history book
This is a good book for anyone to read who doesn't know much about Islam.The author gives several chapters of in-depth history of the rise of Islam.It is interesting to read--not dry and boring like a lot of other detailed history books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arab countries    2. Attitudes    3. General    4. History    5. Middle East - General    6. Muslim women    7. Sexism    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. Women    11. History / Middle East    12. Islam    13. Islamic studies    14. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Feminist theory    4. Gender Studies    5. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    6. Sex role    7. Social Science    8. Sociology    9. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (17)

redefining
After taking me the first 3 chapters to get going, I found that I couldn't put it down.I never really thought about how I fight and what I fight for.What an eye opener.

More than worth the read!
"Fight Like a Girl" is empowering, honest and relateable. Once again, Lisa clearly communicates truths that so many women are searching for. In an understandable ways that encourages your intellect without insulting your intelligence, she encourages you to be the women you are. Femininity is strength. Kudos to Lisa for once again succeeding in reaching each and every generation and blessing them with a strength that can alter the course of their lives for the better!

Lousy
How could any educational book be taken seriously when every other work in it is god? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Christian Life    2. Christianity - Christian Life - General    3. Christianity - Christian Life - Women's Issues    4. Inspirational - General    5. Religion    6. Religion - Christian Life    7. Women And Religion (General)    8. Women's Studies - General    9. Combat sports & self-defence    10. Religion / Inspirational    11. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

In a new introduction to the 10th-anniversary edition of Read more

Reviews (20)

Quick and Clean
The seller shipped this book to me immediately and with the exception of a few notes in the margin (which they warned about) it is in remarkably good condition.Would reccomend.

Imagine Honduran Women makes Clothes in a Sweatshop...
ing clothes....think of the Butlerian strategy of it all!
Consider women working for slave wages in Honduras
making clothes....think of the Butlerian strategy of it all!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Femininity    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Feminist theory    4. Gender Studies    5. Human Sexuality    6. Identity (Psychology)    7. Sex differences (Psychology)    8. Sex role    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology Of Women    12. Philosophy / General   

Reviews (46)

Changing your life and luck
A completely different philosophy of life for women...easy to incorporate,with immediate results.....has really made a difference for me both at work and my private life. Who knew that satisfying myself first was the key to true happiness and love? I recommend it to anyone who was raised in the old pleaser tradition.

I thought Mama Gena was an Italian restaurant!!!
Well, you'd in in for quite a surprise if you made the same mistake! Now that I've read this book I can assure you, a whole other kind of satisfaction awaits!

Pussy On, Sisters!
This book is absolutely fabulous, in a life-changing, joyous celebration of the power of the feminine kind of way. I picked this book up as I was recovering from a heartbreaking divorce. After reading the book a few years ago, I was so interested and inspired by Mama Gena and her school of Womanly Arts, I took her correspondence classes, and today, my life has never been happier or more fulfilling. I wish I could buy stacks of Mama Gena's School of Womanly Arts and leave them in the waiting rooms and lobbies of OG/GYN offices across the country. THANK YOU, Mama Gena! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Conduct of life    2. Gender Psychology    3. General    4. Personal Growth - Success    5. Pleasure    6. Psychology    7. Self-Help    8. Sociology Of Women    9. Women    10. Women's Studies - General    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help / General    13. Sex & sexuality   

Reviews (136)

This book is helpful in some ways
I don't agree with most of the advice regarding marriage in this book, but the lady does know how to keep a clean and orderly home. This book changed my life in that way. I followed the housekeeping advice and am much happier, organized and more capable of handling whatever life throws at me because my home is in order.
2 stars just because it's a great coffee table book
I found this book years ago in my mother's library. My crazy aunt Gail had given it to her for her wedding. My parents spent many hours of their honeymoon hooting with laughter while reading aloud from it.
Straight from the "Saint".

Read more

Subjects:  1. Gender Studies    2. Inspirational - General    3. Interpersonal relations    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Marriage    6. Religion    7. Sex role    8. United States    9. Popular psychology    10. Religion / Inspirational    11. Women's studies   

Reviews (25)

WONDERFUL!!!
This book supplied the inspiration necessary to break free of an eating disorder. It is truly incredible how the author weaves modern issues into traditional stories. This book is a must for anyone struggling with an eating disorder, body dissatisfaction, or anyone who knows someone with these issues.
Powerful and Inspiring!
This was an interesting book, quite true to its name, Johnston uses myths, metaphors and storytelling to help illustrate some of the core "problems" with women's thinking regarding food and eating habits.While I definitely do NOT have problems on the level of examples used in this book - I do not now, nor have I ever been anorexic or bulimic or had any medically treatable eating disorder...I do make "bad" food choices and eat for reasons that are not related to physical hunger...so I got a lot more out of this book that I thought I would based on the target audience alone.
not another handbook
Anita Johnston doesn't give you another book of clinical criteria and personality tendencies. She writes with recognition that her audience has an intimate relationship with the reality and intricacies and seduction of their eating disorder. Even for the professional, she provides a new avenue to access thoughts, behaviors, symptoms. johnston's diction can be startlingly honest - denial is not easy here. But all along, she is telling myths that are safe to consider, to discuss, to debate, and ultimately to embrace, becauase they are not real and my (our?) eating disorders are not at attention and armed for battle. I think this is a beautiful book and one that I have utilized, and seen utilized in hospital and group therapy, a thousand times on the long road of recovery. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alternative treatment    2. Compulsive eating    3. Eating Disorders - General    4. Inspiration & Personal Growth    5. Mental health    6. Psychology    7. Psychopathology - Eating Disorders    8. Self-Help    9. Storytelling    10. Therapeutic use    11. Women    12. Women's Studies - General    13. Family & Health    14. Self-Help & Practical Interests    15. Women's studies   

Subjects:  1. Bibliography    2. Encyclopedias    3. Gender Studies    4. General    5. Information technology    6. Reference    7. Sex role in the work environment    8. Women & Business    9. Women in computer science    10. Human-computer interaction   

Reviews (10)

Crone for my cronies
This book is The Birthday Gift for my girlfriends, sisters, cousins and co-workers as we turn 50.Many shudder at the word "crone" but I am proud to be entering the ranks of the wise women and continuing to make efforts to connect with women of all ages to learn and to teach.This book is great encouragement!Be Juicy!

Very Pleased
My book arrived in great condition in a timely manner. Thank you very much for the excellent service!

Juicy Couture Could Take On a Whole New Meaning
Jean Shinoda Bolen's latest work playfully and sharply offers women thirteen qualities to cultivate during the third phase of their lives ( Maiden-Mother-Crone).She wisely seeks to re-install the title `crone' as an aspirational honorific connoting wisdom acquired through years of living; a woman to be revered and respected.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crones    2. Middle aged women    3. Middle-aged women    4. Personal Growth - Happiness    5. Psychology    6. Self-Help    7. Sociology    8. Sociology - General    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Mind, body, spirit: mysticism & self-awareness    11. Popular psychology    12. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (50)

Friedan and Freud
All right.
You'll never quit your job after reading this book
I read this book in high school, and was very happy to read it again in my 40s. In each instance, the urgency, and the modern-day applications of this work hit me in the face: the American woman exists in a world with extraordinary pressures.The pressure to get married; the pressure to let a man support you; the pressure to fully believe that unless you live your life through your family and solely through your family that you are somehow a failure.
Gives insight into feminism's history
First of all, I recommend everyone to read the book in order to have an idea where a lot of modern day values come from.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Feminism & Feminist Theory    3. Psychology    4. Social Science    5. Social conditions    6. Sociology    7. United States    8. Women    9. Women's Studies - General    10. Popular psychology    11. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

The role of stepmother has long been maligned--just think of Cinderella's or Snow White's stepmothers. Since 1985 when Cheri Burns published this funny, helpful book, stepmothers have felt relieved and no longer so alone. Burns, a stepmother herself, wrote the book to help fellow travelers understand the dynamics and conflicts of their role and navigate the stormy waters of "Expectations," "Guilt," "The Wicked Ex-Wife," "Discipline," "Vacations," and more. Read more

Reviews (31)

Somewhat helpful
This book discusses a lot of the situations stepmothers face, but I felt it had a negative attitude about stepfamily relations. It addressed some of the emotions of being a stepmother, but it doesn't really give a positive outlook on how to improve situations. Other books have left me with a positive attitude about being a stepmom and emphasizing the importance of a sense of humor, but this book made me feel as if things will never improve...so why even try. It may be helpful for stepmothers with problem stepchildren such as behavior or criminal issues.

A must read for all stepmoms!
I can't begin to put into words how inspiring and wonderful this book is. I so wish I had read it BEFORE we got married. I could have saved myself a whole lot of frustration, tears and resentment. There still are those days when the stress level and anxiety are off the charts, but I feel I'm handling the situations better. I learned to pick my battles. I will survive!

A good read
Stepmotherhood is hard, scary and unrewarding sometimes. Burn's honest portrayal of what it is to be a stepmother, without the rose colored glasses, may be scary, but it is honest. This book made the bad seem less so and made me appreciate the good that I have in my stepfamily. Her wise words, honest situations and the real-life examples are the reality that any woman going into life as a stepmother needs to see. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Parenting - Motherhood    5. Parenting - Stepparenting    6. Stepfamilies    7. Stepmothers    8. United States    9. Family & Relationships / Stepparenting    10. Marriage, family & other relationships   

Reviews (1)

This is a great book!
This book is a must read for anyone studying gender in psychology or human development. It's a wonderful reference for students and can be used as a text or supplement for teachers. It's also excellent for general readingfor those interested in understanding women and related issues. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - General    2. Gender Studies    3. Psychology    4. Sex differences (Psychology)    5. Sex role    6. Social Psychology    7. Women's Studies - General    8. Psychology & Psychiatry / Social Psychology   

Editorial Review

The original book that brought Goddess worship to the public eye has marked its 10th anniversary, yet it still remains an integral part of the Wiccan canon. Read more

Reviews (133)

A classic
I am the first to admit that there are flaws in this book and that it is not a perfect fit for everyone.Having said that upfront, I also think this is a critical book for Pagans to read.It has many positives, as well as negatives, but in the final analysis is a classic book and one that needs to be read by anyone seeking greater understanding of the history of the neo-Pagan movement in America.
In the rivers and the mountains, in the forests and in you, the Goddess is alive and growing...
Contrary to what other Pagans may have written on this site, I LOVE "The Spiral Dance" precisely because of its political overtones. As an anticapitalist, ecofeminist gay man, I am deeply moved by Starhawk's vision of an earth-based spirituality that honors women, community, the earth, sexuality and the body. Frankly, I am shocked by the outright sexist reviews some people have given of this book, not to mention the widespread denial of the burning times as a patriarchal holocaust against women, gays, and non-Christian people. The eagerness of certain Pagans to minimize the suffering of this period is, to me, a disturbing reflection of the larger culture's willingness to silence the histories and voices of feminist women and other marginalized groups. Furthermore, in at least one review of this book, I detect anti-Semitism, implying that Starhawk can't fully be a Witch if she retains her Jewishness. Such a narrow definition of what constitutes a Pagan denies us the complexities, nuances, individual choices and ancestries that enrich our lives. Need I remind the reader of the many Hebrew Goddesses of the Middle East or the ecological undercurrents, feminism, and social consciousness that informs Jewish tradition (the contradictions of right-wing Zionism aside). Without a doubt, what seperates Starhawk's writings on the Craft from many other Pagan authors is her passion for social justice, ecological sustainability and peace. Personally, I believe that spirituality devoid of concern for other human beings and the earth is nothing more than right-wing, reactionary navel-gazing. Unfortunately, I have met far too many witches who are much more interested in fluffy, woo-woo nonsense like astral projection and past live regression than they are in restoring the land (the living body of the Ancient Mother we supposedly worship). Moreover, as someone who strongly values participatory democracy, egalitarianism and consensus, I really appreciate Starhawk's insights on coven structure and group dynamics. (Coven hierarchies, like corporate hierarchies, do not appeal to me in the least!)Simply put, if you are looking for another New Age book on channeling spirits or casting hexes, then this book is not for you. However, if your idea of magic involves planting seeds in a community garden or marching for peace, then read this book immediately. It just may change your life forever.
Another "do it yourself" book
I am a studant of gardnerian wicca and I like when elders says: "keep wicca traditional".
Read more

Subjects:  1. Comparative Religion    2. Goddess religion    3. New Age / Body, Mind & Spirit    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Witchcraft    7. Witchcraft & Wicca    8. Women's Studies - General    9. Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft & Wicca    10. Wicca    11. Women's studies   

Editorial Review

Helen Keller would not be bound by conditions. Rendered deaf and blind at 19 months by scarlet fever, she learned to read (in several languages) and even speak, eventually graduating with honors from Radcliffe College in 1904, where as a student she wrote Read more

Reviews (61)

A Classic
Of course this book is a classic.It is Helen Keller in her own words.It is well written and interesting to be "there" as she developes and learns.If you haven't read the book yet, I recommend you do.I "read" the book as a book on tape. Email:boland7214@aol.

Think about it , Helen was successful in life even though she was blind and deaf
Helen Keller was indeed blind and deaf. I liked this book because it tells you about so much things Helen overcame being blind, deaf and earlier on "dumb" ( bcause she was unable to speak). It makes you realize that you can do anything if you really want to no matter what your circumtance is. Also it teahces people to be content and accept the way or conditions that you are in.It's true when they say " it could have been worse".I read this book to do an essay and i think it was a good choice although it was a little challenging to really comprehend what Helen was always talking about. So if you want to learn more about Helen Keller this is a good good book to learn from.

Very confusing at times
This book is written by Hellen Keller, a blind and deaf woman, telling about her childhood and growing up. The book is filled with anecdotes. Each one is about a page or two long and has no connection with the one before it or the following one. The date can vary from year to year without much warning. I would not recommend this book to young readers. I am 14 and became quite confused at times. I had to read this book for school. There were some very nice points in the book, though. If you are a Hellen Keller fan, I would highly recommend this book. It is full of many things in her life that you would not know if you only read a biography or just watched one of the movies made of her life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1880-1968    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Blind-deaf    5. Historical - General    6. Keller, Helen,    7. Literature - Classics / Criticism    8. Public Policy - Social Services & Welfare    9. United States    10. Women's Studies - History    11. Biography & Autobiography / Historical    12. Modern fiction   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Feminism & Feminist Theory    7. Feminists    8. Incest victims    9. Political    10. Political activists    11. Specific Groups - Lesbians    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography: general    15. Social Science / Gender Studies    16. USA   

Reviews (77)

A Necessary Follow-up
I read the first book in the "Princess" series and read this one soon after. At first, it was a bit less exciting than the first book in the trilogy, as it has far less shocking new stories and startling information about life in Saudi Arabia.
Followup
This book was filled with a lot of depressing stories, albeit, they were told well and interesting, but they were depressing. However, if you liked the first Princess book, there is no doubt that you'll enjoy this one too.
Moving...
I read this book without having read 'Princess:A true story of life behind a veil in Saudi Arabia' and can say without that background I found it exceptional, disturbing, but still exceptional.I find it interesting to know the intricacies of how people from cultures different to mine live.Having an appreciation of Islam myself, it is, in my opinion not the religion that is the 'excuse' for the behaviour of the males in this publication, but simply, I suggest, tradition, and if I can be so crude as to say, 'pig-headed, male arrogance'!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Middle East - Saudi Arabia    6. Princesses    7. Royalty    8. Saudi Arabia    9. Social conditions    10. Women    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Women's Studies   

Reviews (3)

The best Self esteem book I've ever read
This book helped me fight for my self-esteem, and as another reviewer said, it's impact lasts years. It's the book I recommend to my friends struggling, like I did, for their self-esteem

It's impact will last years.
I picked up this book over ten years ago.It really helped me to change the lens with which I view myself.Today I recomend it to the clients I work with. I find that it helps women deal with issues of self esteem in simple yet effective manner.It has excercises that are easy to do and have great results in changing how women view themselves.I highly recomend this for any women struggling with issues of depression, anxiety and or self esteem.

An excellent guide to improving self-esteem for women.
This is a succint and comprehensive guide to understanding how self-esteem is developed and how it can be enhanced. The authors examine the impact of developmental, cultural and religious attitudes and of media influences on a woman's ability to accept and appreciate herself.They also offer specific, practical advice on how to address the various difficulties that arise as a result of low self-esteem. This is a valuable book, thoughtful and well-researched. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Feminism    2. Personal Growth - Self-Esteem    3. Psychology    4. Self-esteem in women    5. Sociology    6. United States    7. Women    8. Body, Mind & Spirit / Personal Transformation    9. Women's studies   

Reviews (17)

Author went through hell
I am not an abused wife or battered woman, but I can still appreciate what the author went through.She gives the reader a mostly detailed journey through her personal hell.Having said that I find it puzzling that she would choose to go to a costume party as Nicole Brown and OJ Simpson, complete with ketchup on her neck.It was in terrible taste and the author tries to explain it by saying "the reality behind the charade was too important for me to abandon".Then she goes to tell that others at the party thought it was in bad taste and her italicized comments are "that they missed the point."Not surprisingly they did, didn't they. Apparently, she thought they would immediately realize she was abused? She also admits her two youngest children were quite disturbed seeing her dressed like that and she told them it was a game and left it to the babysitter to explain.I, for one, don't look for hidden meanings in Halloween costumes and since Ms. Weldon stressed her love and devotion to her children and how she didn't want them affected by the abuse, I find her attitude about the costumes and her children very strange to say the least. The real deal
Michele Weldon does a magnificent job describing her harrowing journey through domestic violence, and she does so with clarity and unflinching honesty.Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic and cultural boundaries.Just as no two women are alike, no two violent marriages are identical; Ms. Weldon explains her own experience in such a way that anyone living through this hell will see some element of her own situation. Great for a woman who has left an abusive marriage
Thank you Michele Weldon for writing your journey through living and leaving an abusive husband. ---Read more

Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Abuse - General    3. Abuse - Physical    4. Abused wives    5. Biography    6. Case studies    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature: Classics    9. Self-Help    10. United States    11. Weldon, Michele,    12. Wife abuse    13. Women Authors    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Biography: general    16. Domestic violence    17. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    18. Women's studies   

Reviews (11)

Ranting instead of argument
I began this book expecting to agree with much of it but was very disappointed.The author is ranting instead of calmly stating a realistic argument.If I understood correctly, she believes that the Wedding Industrial Complex (with some vague notions of society and government) CAUSES women to desire marriage, view themselves as princesses and then spend as much money as possible on the wedding.
A vitally important work...
In writing this book Chrys takes great risk in exposing "Weddings", especially "White Weddings" as an unneccessary rite of passage -- She brings to light in vivid raw detail why our society 'views' them as normal.
Read this before the walk down the altar
This book blows the lid off of marriage. What is suppose to be the most important day in couples life has turn into a frenzy of consumer glutteny. I was astonshed at how diamonds an american symbol of love is a an oppresive force for the people who mine them. This book will make you cry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Heterosexuality    3. Marriage    4. Popular Culture - General    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - Marriage & Family    8. United States    9. Weddings    10. Weddings in popular culture    11. Women's Studies - General    12. Popular culture    13. Social Science / Sociology / General    14. USA   

Reviews (22)

Statistics for women
I thought this book was a great read, based on the power of the statistics alone.Lots of great information about profitable women- owned businesses, as well as hearing the stories from the women who made it themselves.

Very good future ahead of me
I absolutely loved this book! When I originally read Stanley's Millionare Next Door, I was put off that all the data was regarding men (but that it is still a very good book). I was suprised to stumble on this book and am very glad that I did!
Appendices and Index are Worth It!
The appedices in this book are worth the entire price. Any new or returning entrepreneur should see these before planning their next moves.Finally, the author has included an index, a suprising ommission in the previous books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business Life - Inspirational    4. Businesswomen    5. Case studies    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Money Management    8. Personal Growth - Success    9. Self-employed women    10. Success in business    11. United States    12. Women & Business    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Money Management