What do you think?
Rate this book
Beginner's Guide (Oneworld Publications)
Feminism: A Beginner's Guide
Feminism is arguably the most significant social movement of the last century and it is far from over. By highlighting the themes that form the three waves, taking powerful examples from feminist campaigns, and tackling timely issues such as genocide and war rape, Scholz invites us to join in with the lively debates and contemporary challenges of feminism.
203 pages, Paperback
First published February 25, 2010
21 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 23, 2020
I’m not sure I would describe this as a beginners guide. Yes, there are definitions of the various types of feminism and the ‘waves’, but it is much more than that. By using real examples to highlight how different feminists would take different types of action, it brings to life the various branches and shows that no one school of thought has the definitive answer.
Of interest to me was the notion that the waves of feminism are not historical time-posts but are interlinked, each building on the other as knowledge and consciousness of the issues increases; what the author describes as a thematic approach to feminism.
Overall, this is a very good book that re-enforces feminism and its importance as a tool for change.
Favourite passage from the book:
“All too often, feminists are portrayed as militant and serious – which may also explain the reluctance on the part of some to claim the label. Although there certainly are feminists who are militant and most of us are serious at least some of the time, the stereotype is simply a way to dismiss the sound arguments for social justice that feminists make.
For that reason, it might be important to mention one last feminist strategy that has been present in every form of feminism: laughter.
Laughter is used as social critique of oppressive policies and actions, as political resistance to unjust treatment, and as social support for one another in the face of sometimes brutal dismissal. Laughter is a powerful tool against the serious and sometimes tragic force of sexism. As feminists, we also have to laugh at ourselves sometimes.
Our failures are lessons and our proposals will sometimes be met with social ridicule. Laughing back, rather than buying into the dominant culture’s assessment, might be a way to recover from the defeat and fight back with more resolve the next time. Laughter might just dispel some of those myths about feminism that close off the possibility for an open conversation about the pain, suffering, and violence of sexism.” - Feminism: A Beginner's Guide – Sally J. Scholz
Of interest to me was the notion that the waves of feminism are not historical time-posts but are interlinked, each building on the other as knowledge and consciousness of the issues increases; what the author describes as a thematic approach to feminism.
Overall, this is a very good book that re-enforces feminism and its importance as a tool for change.
Favourite passage from the book:
“All too often, feminists are portrayed as militant and serious – which may also explain the reluctance on the part of some to claim the label. Although there certainly are feminists who are militant and most of us are serious at least some of the time, the stereotype is simply a way to dismiss the sound arguments for social justice that feminists make.
For that reason, it might be important to mention one last feminist strategy that has been present in every form of feminism: laughter.
Laughter is used as social critique of oppressive policies and actions, as political resistance to unjust treatment, and as social support for one another in the face of sometimes brutal dismissal. Laughter is a powerful tool against the serious and sometimes tragic force of sexism. As feminists, we also have to laugh at ourselves sometimes.
Our failures are lessons and our proposals will sometimes be met with social ridicule. Laughing back, rather than buying into the dominant culture’s assessment, might be a way to recover from the defeat and fight back with more resolve the next time. Laughter might just dispel some of those myths about feminism that close off the possibility for an open conversation about the pain, suffering, and violence of sexism.” - Feminism: A Beginner's Guide – Sally J. Scholz
July 24, 2013
As a primer in feminist thought, philosophies, epistemology, and strategies, Scholz's little book packs an absolute punch. As a relative new-comer to feminist theory, and with a growing awareness of feminist issues and intersectionalities with veganism, environmentalism, body issues, class and racism, I found this to be a thoroughly engrossing and informative text. I would have preferred more in-depth examinations of some modes of thought presented here, but I now know where I can get more information, and I can do my own reading. I highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning about the history of feminism, what it is, why it is, and how it works.
February 10, 2023
Bukunya bagus dan mudah dipahami. Benar-benar sesuai judulnya sebuah panduan bagi pemula. Isi bukunya terdiri dari tujuh bab: Bab pertama menjelaskan apa itu feminisme; bab kedua tentang berbagai aliran feminisme; bab ketiga tentang gelombang pertama feminisme; bab keempat tentang gelombang kedua feminisme; bab kelima tentang gelombang ketiga feminisme; bab keenam aliran feminisme yang lain, seperti postcolonial, transnational, dan global feminisme; bab ketujuh membahas berbagai isu atau permasalahan feminisme dari sudut pandang berbagai aliran tersebut.
Karena isi bukunya bagus banget dan aku gak mau isinya menumpang lewat begitu saja di otakku, maka aku mencatat yang penting di blog buku aku. Selamat membaca rangkumanku.
Karena isi bukunya bagus banget dan aku gak mau isinya menumpang lewat begitu saja di otakku, maka aku mencatat yang penting di blog buku aku. Selamat membaca rangkumanku.
November 28, 2017
Well!! It fulfills the purpose for which it has been written-A introduction to feminist thought. Theories of feminism should have been illustrated a little more but that's my point of view. As an introduction its serves the job.
October 4, 2019
This is a good starting point to learn about feminism. There's lots of things to unpack and I'm defeinitely be going over the references that it cites. My only complain is that it bearly touches the topic about transgender women.
January 22, 2023
A good overview of feminism, the history and emergence and what the different waves were fighting for, giving background and basis for their principles. Succinct and informative.
February 18, 2023
a very comprehensive, clear guide to feminism to anyone starting out, without any biases towards any aspects of groups of feminism.
April 10, 2023
If this is the only book you read about feminism, so be it! It is comprehensive, heavy, non-stop battering of ideas and struggles of women from the beginning of the feminism movement. It is quite factual, and abrupt in its depictions of violence against women, sometimes I could only spend 20 minutes at a time with it.
January 26, 2013
Disclaimer to dismissive persons: I'm a man.
This book was ok. There is some history, but there feels like an underlining pulpit-like feeling to it. As if you already agree with the feminist thought and you are reading this to strengthen your belief. I was hoping it would go one of two ways: Pure history or a persuasive argument.
PLEASE NOTE: This wasn't what I was looking for, that doesn't mean you won't like it. I care very much about womans rights of the past, but modern feminism is starting to cling to small straws. If you are already very sympathetic to modern and past feminism, you'll probably like this. If you don't agree with feminism like "The porn industry is exploiting women." (Where 95% of the woman are the stars of the show, are billed in big letters with their name, where they get more marketing opportunities than the man, and where they make more money then the man.) or the sole fact that you watch football makes you a male chauvinist pig, proceed with caution.
This book was ok. There is some history, but there feels like an underlining pulpit-like feeling to it. As if you already agree with the feminist thought and you are reading this to strengthen your belief. I was hoping it would go one of two ways: Pure history or a persuasive argument.
PLEASE NOTE: This wasn't what I was looking for, that doesn't mean you won't like it. I care very much about womans rights of the past, but modern feminism is starting to cling to small straws. If you are already very sympathetic to modern and past feminism, you'll probably like this. If you don't agree with feminism like "The porn industry is exploiting women." (Where 95% of the woman are the stars of the show, are billed in big letters with their name, where they get more marketing opportunities than the man, and where they make more money then the man.) or the sole fact that you watch football makes you a male chauvinist pig, proceed with caution.
January 9, 2016
I could not have found a more comprehensive beginner's guide. For anyone out there who is confused about feminism - it's history, it's evolution and the direction it's taking now - this book is a great place to start. It describes the various phases of the feminist movement and the also the various perspectives that have become part of it. It also gives you a wealth of material. Once you've finished this book, you'll have an idea about what to read further so that you can equip yourself better.
October 27, 2012
Great little intro book, easy reference to all different concepts.
August 28, 2014
Excellent explanation of the waves and themes of feminism! Really, really enjoyed reading.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews