In a groundbreaking study, the author of Women and Madness explores the controversial issue of women's aggression toward one another, both at home and in the workplace, revealing how women whose longing for friendship, approval, and support is thwarted by dislike, mistrust, envy, and competition. Reprint.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Chesler, author of the bestselling Woman and Madness, explores the "shadow side" of sisterhood: women treating each other badly. How could her own mother have been so mean to her? How could someone who "borrowed" published ideas from her not acknowledge her or say "thank you"? In this treatise on breaking the "cycle of cruelty" between women, controversial feminist Chesler addresses why sisters fight, why some women prefer to work for men rather than for women, and other highly subjective cases of woman/woman cruelty. From the "demented Demeters" and "murderous Electras" of Greek mythology to modern-day Mommie Dearest, Chesler warns, mothers and daughters are doomed. Whether they acknowledge their mothers' viciousness, as Chesler does, or whether they're "unconscious" and suffer "amnesia" about the hurt, she says, the patterns are set. Throughout girlhood and into adult life, women repeat the basic lesson in Chesler's words, "maternal envy teaches daughters to be passive, fearful, conformist, obedient as well as similarly cruel to other women." Thus, she says, "an assertive woman manager might be viewed as bitchy and non-maternal." This comment is certainly more digestible than, say, "what complicates the aging process is a woman's life-long experience of all other women as rivals and potential replacements." Chesler draws her evidence from interviews with an unspecified group of women with horror stories: backstabbing by feminist colleagues, sadistic gynecologists, battering lesbians, etc. Needless to say, her book sometimes comes off as quite cynical, despite her claim that "I would like women to treat each other in good ways." (Mar.)Forecast: It's prickly and contentious, but it's Chesler so expect some buzz in the academic feminist circles she inhabits.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
"Chesler has painted a revealing masterpiece of Woman's dark side." -- Lou Marinoff, Ph.D.
"No intelligent discussion of the provocative issues she raises will ever be the same . . ." -- Alan M. Dershowitz
"Phyllis Chesler has written a healing book to teach us how to love ourselves and each other." -- Erica Jong
"This is a brave book. Her work is our public conscience." -- Letty Cottin Pogrebin
"[A]n exciting and thought provoking argument about the other side of sisterhood." -- Vivian Gornick
Chesler offers astute literary criticism . . . Women readers will recognize their own experiences in Chesler's examples. -- Deborah Tannen, The Washington Post, March 10, 2002
Chesler read everything and thought deeply about it . . . Along with social commentary and psychological insight, Chesler offers astute literary criticism. -- Washington Post Book World, Sunday, March 10, 2002; by Deborah Tannen.
Groundbreaking, fascinating, resonant, and unsettling. It is highly recommended for all public and academic libraries. -- Library Journal, March 15, 2002
She has done her homework . . . An intriguing analysis. Feminists and sexists alike should find the package challenging. -- Kirkus Reviews 1/15/02
[A]n important book, in large part because of who Chesler is: a veteran and luminary of the Second Wave Feminism. -- Laura Miller, Salon.com, March 29, 2002
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Shipping:
US$ 4.30
Within U.S.A.
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00072576688
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Item in very good condition! Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00075029399
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Condition: Acceptable. Item in good condition. Textbooks may not include supplemental items i.e. CDs, access codes etc. Seller Inventory # 00071149617
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Red, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_376406915
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Emerald, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_406320813
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB-Diamond, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_406870493
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Fair. Acceptable/Fair condition. Book is worn, but the pages are complete, and the text is legible. Has wear to binding and pages, may be ex-library. 1.06. Seller Inventory # 353-0452284082-acp
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: HPB Inc., Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Very Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!. Seller Inventory # S_408844710
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.06. Seller Inventory # 0452284082-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Book is in Used-Good condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain limited notes and highlighting. 1.06. Seller Inventory # 0452284082-2-4
Quantity: 1 available