The Feminist Revolution: Second Wave Feminism and the Struggle for Women's Liberation

by Bonnie J. Morris, D.-M. Withers, Roxane Gay (Foreward)

The Feminist Revolution offers an overview of women's struggle for equal rights in the late nineteenth century. Beginning with the auspicious founding of the National Organization for Women in 1966, at a time when women across the world were mobilizing individually and collectively in the fight to assert their independence and establish their rights in society, the book traces a path through history, presenting political campaigns, protests, the formation of women's publishing houses and groundbreaking magazines, and other events that shaped women's history. It examines women's determination to free themselves from definition by male culture, wanting not only to "take back the night" but also to reclaim their bodies, their minds, and their cultural identity. It demonstrates as well that the feminist revolution was enacted by women from all backgrounds, of every color, and of all ages and that it took place in the home, in workplaces, and on the streets of every major town and city. This sweeping overview of the key decades in the feminist revolution also brings together for the first time many of these women's own stories and unpublished images, which together offer tribute to the daring, humor, and creative spirit of its participants.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, History, Activism, World History

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2018

About the author

Bonnie J. Morris grew up in Los Angeles and North Carolina. She earned a B.A. in Jewish history from American University, the first student there to minor in women’s studies. She completed her Ph.D. in women’s history at Binghamton University in New York in 1989.

Dr. Morris taught at both George Washington University and Georgetown for almost 25 years, becoming professor emeritus and Professor of the Year at GWU and Vicennial Medalist at Georgetown. In 2017 she joined the history faculty at the University of California-Berkeley, earning a nomination for its Excellence in Teaching Prize.

She is the author of 16 books, including three Lambda Literary Finalists, two national first-prize chapbooks, and the critical feminist texts Women’s History for Beginners, The Disappearing L, and The Feminist Revolution. She may be found lecturing on C-Span, Olivia Cruises, Semester at Sea, the National Women’s Music Festival, and on Pacifica Radio KPFK.

Reviews

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overviews of the struggles and successes of women's movements. For any who assumed that Western civilization stands for equality and respect for women, this account shows how shockingly recent our basic advances in women's rights are.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

In more than a few zines, social media posts, essays, and books written by younger folks, I've come across the idea that the Women's Liberation Movement of the sixties and seventies (commonly called the "second wave") was solely a white women's feminism that had nothing to do with the struggles of women of color or even queer and trans folks. Such an idea erases the real lives, actions, and movements of women of color who participated in the women's movement, took feminism as their own, and not only challenged white women, but worked with them also for liberation of everybody.

I think this massive volume can help clarify, inform, and illuminate the realities of the movement and show how the same conflicts existent today were argued back then--and maybe show how they were dealt with.

While mainly concerned with the U.S. and the U.K., there's a lot of material here to interest and send you off to find out more.

Highly recommended.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read a history book that primarily takes place when my siblings and I were being born on a topic I was interested in as a young child, but only got what I read in the newspapers (starting rather young.) However, this is primarily about second-wave feminism in the UK plus some in continental Europe, although of course there is a significant amount about the States and a tiny bit about what was going on in Canada at that time.

One of my favourite aspects of the book was all of the old posters, photos, etc, that they have in the margins, etc, since this was before the world wide web. I didn't love the book, but it is interesting, and if you haven't read much about that time yet, or if you only know the American aspect of it, then this is a good place to start to learn what was happening in Europe. Feminism wasn't taking off in most of the world and in some places still isn't, and it's a privilege for any of us who live in countries where we have had the freedom of speech, etc, to fight for this. Things may not be perfect and they never will be because humans aren't, but at least there has been some progress.

[Riegs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Offers broad overview for those new to the topic, and want to understand the individual movements that made up a larger social change. Great design and visuals. I liked the way each chapter highlighted a different movement/issue, such as Chicana feminism, reproductive rights, etc. Firmly establishes an intersectional approach (thank you Roxanne Gay) and doesn't sugarcoat the shortcomings. Good for a friend who seeks a "101" explanation of the movement's origins in the 1960s-1980s.

[Kamakana · Rating 4 out of 5]

if you like this review, i now have website: www.michaelkamakana.com

220319: my knowledge of history of feminism is general, limited to big names, big events, big productions, not details that students might know. so i know of simone de Beauvoir and The Second Sex (not read), betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique (not read), Germaine Greer, NOW, gloria steinhiem, Ms magazine, but exactly why Angela Davis was fugitive i did not know, nor black women's movements, nor working class, nor lesbian and/or political feminism... i do not know what i expected, but this is more history than philosophy. this is a lot of potted articles, a lot of graphics, mostly covering anglo-american countries, some other cultures, entirely 'second wave' (feminism from 1966-2000?...)...

as history this reminds me of my age, for some events, thoughts, arts, were at least on the fringes of my youthful consciousness. never very political in any way, i was sort of unconsciously feminist much as i am anti-racist, because equality just seemed given and not something to be argued for. but i do look at some authors i have enjoyed just for how extreme they are, never taking them seriously but technically, eg William S. Burroughs... i have a feminismlit bookshelf but in many cases books are there simply because they foreground women and not in particularly feminist narratives, eg Christine Feehan...

have read a few feminist philosophers but truly not much compared to the vast number of male philosophers, some work i really like The Ethics of Ambiguity, Feminist Philosophy, Blind Date: Sex and Philosophy, Conversations. some on rather than by Philosophy and Feminism: At the Border, The Bonds of Freedom: Simone de Beauvoir's Existentialist Ethics, Philosophy as Passion: The Thinking of Simone De Beauvoir, At the Existentialist Café: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails...

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really informative book on the history of feminism around the world. I really felt the author remained objective in talking about how feminism differed depending on your skin colour, social economic status and personal identity. Not everyone has had the same experience and sometimes in our struggle to fight for equality and to get our voice heard, we have stepped over or stepped on those who have had different life experiences or also need their voices heard but on issues that don't necessarily impact white, middle class, cisgeneder women.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great historical account of Second Wave feminism . It doesn't just focus On US . It talks about Britain and Europe. It was a little long. It has a great intro by Roxane Gay .

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the end section about where we go from here could've been longer; otherwise, very informative about the history and origins of the feminist revolution.

[Syazana Jeffry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. A book that offers a wholesome and veritable view on the history of feminism.

[Lizzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid overview of Second Wave feminism for anyone who is looking for a rundown.

[Meghan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via Goodreads Giveaways.

I really enjoyed reading the historical story of the feminist movement. The pictures really brought the story to life and made it an enjoyable read.

[KT · Rating 2 out of 5]

An adequate descriptive history of contemporary feminist movements through various themes
The photos and pictures, in particular feminist artworks added to the middling content of the book

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

A history of recent feminism with an emphasis on America and Europe. It does have chapters on women of color and lesbian women but only a bare mention of transgender women. This book is a classic coffee table book, a third of the content consists of photos and artwork heavily interlaced with one or two page spreads that consists of short biographies, histories of various incidents and specific issues. Printed on glossy paper, its a bit large, it wont fit on a standard sized bookshelf. A decent read and could be read very slowly since there are many self contained articles.

If you're looking for theory, recommendations for action or are interested in research, this is not the book you want.

[Book Buying With Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed this. Very broad in scope, but thorough. Loved that it didn't hesitate to acknowledge privilege and the imperfection of the second wave feminist movement.

[MM · Rating 5 out of 5]

2019: The images of revolutionary spirit made me cry and want to live in archives of hope.

[Anna]

Review forthcoming in Library Journal.

[Mills College Library]

305.4209 M8753 2018