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Sisterhood, Interrupted: From Radical Women to Grrls Gone Wild
Contrary to clichés about the end of feminism, Deborah Siegel argues that younger women are not abandoning the movement but reinventing it. After forty years, is feminism today a culture, or a cause? A movement for personal empowerment, or broad-scale social change? Have women achieved equality, or do we still have a long way to go?
238 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
January 24, 2011
Speaking as someone who came of age in the 1990's without any strong voices of feminism around me, I found this book enormously helpful in sorting out all the confused and conflicting information and stereotypes I have absorbed about the feminist movement. It lays out the history of the movement, covering the major events and developments of the Second Wave (the 1960's and 70's), and continuing through to the present day. I got a much clearer idea of who the major players have been, what has been accomplished and what still needs to be done. But most of all, I learned what a messy journey it has been. Feminism has never been a single, unified force. It isn't about one point of view espoused by all women who claim the label "feminist". Since the beginning, there has been a huge amount of internal conflict over which fights are worth fighting, what are the best methods of going about effecting change, and what feminism means to the women of the Second Wave vs. what it means to their daughters and granddaughters growing up in the world feminism helped shape. I came away with the distinct impression that there are as many different kinds of feminism as there are women who call themselves feminists, and I think that's a good thing. It means every women (or man) can find their own place in the movement, and if there's something they disagree with, they don't have to mindlessly support it in the name of "sisterhood". But I think we can all agree that no one's opportunities and choices should be limited by they gender. Now let's go be that Third Wave.
August 11, 2009
I like this book, but for me it wasn't anything new. It is a wonderful book for a quick look at the contemporary women's movement particularly the second wave and the third. I take a little issue with the depiction of the second wave only because of the brevity. Most of the book discusses the second wave, which is fine that history is longer and richer, but still more could have been put into the second wave.
Also, I'm wary and just tired of the notions of dueling waves. I love second wave feminism, and yeah at times I feel the expectations set for my generation are a bit high. Then again no one said we have to meet them. It puts me in mind of another books MidLife Crisis at 30. This book also wrestles with the idea that the second wave set expectations too high and instead of saying young women can do anything the message became young women should do everything. Not that this is the argument in this book, but it is touched upon in the second section.
The argument in this book I found of interest was post-feminist verses third wave feminists. Of course these post-feminists are a group I regularly take shots at for better or worse.
In the end this is a good introduction to feminism and feminist history.
Also, I'm wary and just tired of the notions of dueling waves. I love second wave feminism, and yeah at times I feel the expectations set for my generation are a bit high. Then again no one said we have to meet them. It puts me in mind of another books MidLife Crisis at 30. This book also wrestles with the idea that the second wave set expectations too high and instead of saying young women can do anything the message became young women should do everything. Not that this is the argument in this book, but it is touched upon in the second section.
The argument in this book I found of interest was post-feminist verses third wave feminists. Of course these post-feminists are a group I regularly take shots at for better or worse.
In the end this is a good introduction to feminism and feminist history.
August 3, 2017
I read this for my Gender Studies class and I liked it much better than some other informative feminist texts I've read previously. I really liked that the author acknowledged the racist and homophobic past of feminism (which is, unfortunately, still present today). Valid points are made for both young and old feminists and why they may not see eye to eye. With older women insinuating young women might only vote for a presidential candidate to meet boys, it does seem there is a ways to go.
My introduction to feminism was through Tumblr and heavily related to consumption of art, books, and popular culture in general. I feel that the feminism I was introduced to and believe in, is all inclusive and populated with young and old people. I never really felt that there was a battle between young and old and a huge problem with young girls not wanting the feminist label. In the back of my mind, I know it's a thing, but the community I follow online is nothing like that.
Perhaps that means that, while this book still holds valuable information on feminism throughout different generations, it may not be truthful to say that young and old feminists are at odds. There are incidents here and there, but overall things are improving. Hopefully we will get there completely.
My introduction to feminism was through Tumblr and heavily related to consumption of art, books, and popular culture in general. I feel that the feminism I was introduced to and believe in, is all inclusive and populated with young and old people. I never really felt that there was a battle between young and old and a huge problem with young girls not wanting the feminist label. In the back of my mind, I know it's a thing, but the community I follow online is nothing like that.
Perhaps that means that, while this book still holds valuable information on feminism throughout different generations, it may not be truthful to say that young and old feminists are at odds. There are incidents here and there, but overall things are improving. Hopefully we will get there completely.
January 13, 2008
A short and cogent look at the last 40 years of U.S. feminism...but I admit I was a little suspicious of its research when the intro misquoted the infamous 1990s talking Barbie as saying "Math is hard" (nope, it was "Math class is tough"--not great, but there IS a difference). Yes, I'm just that picky!
There are a few errors, but this is mostly very well-done. A good intro to those who aren't that familiar with this territory, and a fast read for those of us who feel compelled to read every major book about the third wave/young feminists/feminist controversies. I can think of scores of things this book barely addresses (the "mommy wars," emergency contraception, weight issues, mental health, transgender activism...) or doesn't address in enough detail (the discussion of debates around sex-positive feminism could be better) but there's a pretty extensive bibliography and resource list.
There are a few errors, but this is mostly very well-done. A good intro to those who aren't that familiar with this territory, and a fast read for those of us who feel compelled to read every major book about the third wave/young feminists/feminist controversies. I can think of scores of things this book barely addresses (the "mommy wars," emergency contraception, weight issues, mental health, transgender activism...) or doesn't address in enough detail (the discussion of debates around sex-positive feminism could be better) but there's a pretty extensive bibliography and resource list.
April 1, 2012
“Sisterhood is powerful,” the second-wave feminists of the 1960s and ‘70s declared. I have, and am, a sister, and I believe this; my sister and I are very good friends. But we haven'’t always had the easiest relationship - it’'s pretty unusual to have sisterhood without sibling rivalry. In Sisterhood, Interrupted, her history of contemporary feminism and its factions and friction, Deborah Siegel considers the ways in which the sisterhood analogy has united and divided women.
]Feminism may appear to be fragmented in various directions these days - because it is - but Siegel shows that even from the beginning of the second wave, feminist “sisters” never spoke with a single, unified voice. While there was agreement on the need for change to improve women'’s lives, there were many opinions on what sort of changes were needed and how to go after them. Did women need to change how they saw themselves, or how society saw them? Did they want legal, economic, or sexual equality - and did they need to choose among them? Should they work for change within the system, through traditional political channels, or embrace the concept that “the personal is political” and push for radical reforms through less conventional methods? Were men the source and cause of everything that held women back, so that embracing feminism equated to rejecting men? (For some feminists, this was true, and lesbianism was one way in which they expressed that the personal and political were equal.) While the 1970s and the decades that followed saw progress made in the areas of economic and educational opportunity, personal protection, family law, and reproductive rights, the underlying debates went on.
These questions weren’t definitively answered, and in the 1980s, as the Equal Rights Amendment failed to be ratified and society became more conservative, they became increasingly academic and debated outside mainstream awareness. A generation came of age having benefited from what the second wave did accomplish, but not always fully aware of how it was accomplished; they revived the questions, sometimes ignorant of - or indifferent to - the fact they weren'’t the first to ask them, and began to raise new ones. They disagreed - with their predecessors and with one another - on whether the personal really was political, what “sisterhood” meant in an era of focus on the individual over the community, and whether the work of feminism was even still necessary.
While Siegel essentially covers the same time period addressed by Gail Collins in When Everything Changed, her emphasis is much more specific and “inside:” her story is about what’'s gone on within the feminist movement more than its effects outside it. And as fragmented as the movement is, I was very impressed by Siege'l’s even-handed, balanced discussion; I didn’'t get a sense that she was taking sides. The book is a “popular” history aimed at a general audience, and I found it highly accessible and fascinating reading, but with 289 endnotes to its 170 pages of text and more than 20 pages of references and additional resources, Siegel approaches it with academic discipline. Sisterhood, Interrupted is a survey, but one focused and detailed enough that I didn'’t feel she shortchanged anything important. This was an enlightening and thought-provoking read that I’m glad to have liberated from TBR Purgatory after nearly two and a half years, and that I’'d recommend for all young (and young-ish) feminists.
]Feminism may appear to be fragmented in various directions these days - because it is - but Siegel shows that even from the beginning of the second wave, feminist “sisters” never spoke with a single, unified voice. While there was agreement on the need for change to improve women'’s lives, there were many opinions on what sort of changes were needed and how to go after them. Did women need to change how they saw themselves, or how society saw them? Did they want legal, economic, or sexual equality - and did they need to choose among them? Should they work for change within the system, through traditional political channels, or embrace the concept that “the personal is political” and push for radical reforms through less conventional methods? Were men the source and cause of everything that held women back, so that embracing feminism equated to rejecting men? (For some feminists, this was true, and lesbianism was one way in which they expressed that the personal and political were equal.) While the 1970s and the decades that followed saw progress made in the areas of economic and educational opportunity, personal protection, family law, and reproductive rights, the underlying debates went on.
These questions weren’t definitively answered, and in the 1980s, as the Equal Rights Amendment failed to be ratified and society became more conservative, they became increasingly academic and debated outside mainstream awareness. A generation came of age having benefited from what the second wave did accomplish, but not always fully aware of how it was accomplished; they revived the questions, sometimes ignorant of - or indifferent to - the fact they weren'’t the first to ask them, and began to raise new ones. They disagreed - with their predecessors and with one another - on whether the personal really was political, what “sisterhood” meant in an era of focus on the individual over the community, and whether the work of feminism was even still necessary.
While Siegel essentially covers the same time period addressed by Gail Collins in When Everything Changed, her emphasis is much more specific and “inside:” her story is about what’'s gone on within the feminist movement more than its effects outside it. And as fragmented as the movement is, I was very impressed by Siege'l’s even-handed, balanced discussion; I didn’'t get a sense that she was taking sides. The book is a “popular” history aimed at a general audience, and I found it highly accessible and fascinating reading, but with 289 endnotes to its 170 pages of text and more than 20 pages of references and additional resources, Siegel approaches it with academic discipline. Sisterhood, Interrupted is a survey, but one focused and detailed enough that I didn'’t feel she shortchanged anything important. This was an enlightening and thought-provoking read that I’m glad to have liberated from TBR Purgatory after nearly two and a half years, and that I’'d recommend for all young (and young-ish) feminists.
March 27, 2011
This is kind of a misnamed book. Near the end the author says we should retire the term sisterhood and then focuses on the future of Feminism. So why isn't it called Feminism, Past and Present or something like that?
A quick read and some interesting stories but mostly it's personal essays by the author who probably spends too much time focusing on certain celebs or female leaders while ignoring others who are surprisingly omitted.
Did I learn anything major about the feminist movement during the week I spent reading this book? Not particuarly - but it was for a grad class so it had to be done.
A quick read and some interesting stories but mostly it's personal essays by the author who probably spends too much time focusing on certain celebs or female leaders while ignoring others who are surprisingly omitted.
Did I learn anything major about the feminist movement during the week I spent reading this book? Not particuarly - but it was for a grad class so it had to be done.
September 2, 2008
This may be the best history of the modern women's movement from the second wave through the third - and beyond. Delightfully written, exhaustive in coverage without being overly academic (which I never mind much)AND inclusive of the diverse strands of feminism and political women from the beginning of the third wave. Ideal for a women's studies class, it felt much like listening to lectures by my favorite political science and women's studies professor.
February 23, 2009
This is a really THICK book, with loads of info, but gave me some new insights, & perspectives on the wider contemporary feminist movement, as well as reviewing a lot of the history/ divisions within the women's movement. Helped me understand a little more about the current ebb of women avoiding/ being apathetic to some of the issues. I left it feeling more motivated to act/ be involved. Also gives a hefty list of resources.
March 6, 2017
A spry, thoughtful primer on the history of feminism and the dissensions and schisms therein. Siegel's thesis boils down to a plea for reconciliation between aging boomer radicals and the irreverent "third wave" that has supplanted them, but the main value of this book, at least to this curious non-expert, is its vivid and concise summary of the major developments, personalities, and ideas in postwar feminism.
October 15, 2011
i wanted to like this more. it was mostly a recounting of tales from feminism's history, which is important, but i didn't feel like this book was pushing any new ideas. if you don't know much about the feminist movement and want to learn more, this might be a decent place to start.
personally, i'll give a book a certain number of pages to catch my interest. i tried, but this book didn't compel me to read it in its entirety.
personally, i'll give a book a certain number of pages to catch my interest. i tried, but this book didn't compel me to read it in its entirety.
December 1, 2019
This book gives a historical and insightful account on feminist infighting over the years. Its main focus is that what is supposed to be sisterhood among women has eventually turned into a mother-daughterhood due to the intercultural clash between second and third-wave feminism. I liked it and I do recommend it because it is one of the clearest and concise books I have read on feminism, a movement which is sometimes hard to follow and comprehend, perhaps owing to the myths surrounding it.
September 11, 2007
This book is somewhat interesting but mostly pretty basic stuff. It is a brief history of feminism in terms of second wave versus third wave, their similarities and differences. It could be more interesting to someone with less knowledge, but to the well read third wave feminist it is likely to be a bit boring.
May 9, 2013
A great review of second and third wave feminists. It gave me knowledge to explain the history of feminism to those who question my recent admission of being the f-word (feminist!) and helped me get a better handle on my beliefs. This is definitely a book for those with a basic knowledge of feminism and a desire to learn more.
August 25, 2007
B- Really this book didn't offer anything new; maybe a women's studies history lesson, telling me a few new stories. However, the narrative was way too all over the place and the chronology was off. Interesting for feminists.
August 8, 2008
I liked this book, but as more of a history and a reference than an argument--its point, that women should find common ground and work for change, is hardly original, but Siegel tells a lot of interesting stories about the 70's and 90's and includes a great bibliography.
October 15, 2012
Great overview that lays out some of the battles within finish as well as those it has had with patriarchy. Highly suggested as an initial read by anyone new to feminist thought. Consider it a summary of all the people you should read more from.
August 11, 2013
Sisterhood, Interrupted is a terrific overview of the women's movement from about 1963 to 2007. Perfect for anyone who's interested in an introduction to the key people, texts, and ideas of second and third wave feminism.
August 3, 2007
A great comprehensive review of the feminism movement. Very complete look at the stumbling blocks, key figures and the challenges ahead.
Quick read.
Quick read.
October 24, 2007
This is a readable, concise history of second and third wave feminism, touching on the major themes and movements, and the struggle for definition. Definitely read this one.
January 27, 2010
This was a quick, helpful read that outlines the history of the feminist movement while explaining and exploring some of the tension and infighting that has plagued it. While it may be too general for a women's studies major, I was happy to have Siegel review some of the basics about the first and second waves so that this member of the third wave could be clear on why we don't always get along (issues of race, class, and sexual orientation are definitely at play). I read it in two hours - a great primer for that young, budding-feminist friend, family member or co-worker who needs some historical grounding before attending her first march or sending in that membership fee to NOW.
March 13, 2008
This book should be read by anyone studying the current state of the modern womanhood.
It gave a great, though I am sure biased, overview of second wave feminism.
I actually respected and possibly now like Betty Freiden. Though I am making judgements based on this one book. So I expect to be wrong with the next book I read.
Its discussion of feminism as a WASP phenomenon is totally worth having and me in my baby feminism dabbling had yet to fully realize.
It gave a great, though I am sure biased, overview of second wave feminism.
I actually respected and possibly now like Betty Freiden. Though I am making judgements based on this one book. So I expect to be wrong with the next book I read.
Its discussion of feminism as a WASP phenomenon is totally worth having and me in my baby feminism dabbling had yet to fully realize.
March 13, 2014
Certainly an interesting and relevant topic (Just change "Myspace" to "tumblr"), but I felt that the execution of it could have been better. While I feel that it's great for learning a general history of feminism as well as about its current movements, I wanted Siegel to go into more analysis with less fact-spewing.
April 19, 2008
This seemed to be a good U.S. Feminist History 101 sort of book, which is at my level. It's unfortunate (and telling?) that the bibliography is full of anthologies from the mid-90s but not much of anything more current.
March 18, 2014
This book provides a general history of feminism in the U.S that I found interesting on times. But, I personally did not like the writing style which meant that I found the book really hard to get into.
December 2, 2015
I'm sure this book will be interesting or useful to someone but I felt like I was trudging through a history book, which wasn't exactly interesting for me.
There is a great deal of information if you're looking for a history of feminism though.
There is a great deal of information if you're looking for a history of feminism though.
April 30, 2010
This book provides the best history of the second and third wave feminist movement in the United States I have read to date. Siegel proves that sisterhood isn't dead, its just interrupted!
January 10, 2008
I didn't get much new information from this book - it's really a pretty basic introduction to the history of feminism.
April 18, 2008
Excellent little book on the history of feminism. Siegal emphasizes fractures in the movement, adding much-needed texture and complexity to our historical considerations.
June 26, 2008
Inaccessible. Densely written. Couldn't finish it, which was too bad as the title rocks.
November 10, 2008
This book has added wonderfully to my thinking about feminism and exactly where we are today. She gives a lot of recent history of feminism that grounds the story. It is also a very good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews