In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution

by Susan Brownmiller

There once was a time when the concept of equal pay for equal work did not exist, when women of all ages were "girls," when abortion was a back-alley procedure, when there was no such thing as a rape crisis center or a shelter for battered women, when "sexual harassment" had not yet been named and defined.  "If conditions are right," Susan Brownmiller says in this stunning memoir, "if the anger of enough people has reached the boiling point, the exploding passion can ignite a societal transformation."

In Our Time tells the story of that transformation, as only Brownmiller can.  A leading feminist activist and the author of Against Our Will , the book that changed the nation's perception of rape, she now brings the Women's Liberation movement and its passionate history vividly to life.

Here is the colorful cast of characters on whose shoulders we stand--the feminist icons Betty Friedan, Kate Millett, Germaine Greer, and Gloria Steinem, and the lesser known women whose contributions to change were equally profound.  And here are the landmark events of the the consciousness-raising groups that sprung up in people's living rooms, the mimeographed position papers that first articulated the new thinking, the abortion and rape speak-outs, the daring sit-ins, the underground newspaper collectives, and the inventive lawsuits that all played a role in the most wide-reaching revolution of the twentieth century.

Here as well are Brownmiller's reflections on the feminist utopian vision, and her dramatic accounts, rendered with honesty and humor, of the movement's painful internal schisms as it struggled to give voice to the aspirarations of all women.  Finally, Brownmiller addresses that most relevant What is the legacy of feminism today?

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Gender, Politics, Womens

360 pages, Paperback

First published November 9, 2000

About the author

Susan Brownmiller was an American journalist, author and feminist activist best known for her 1975 book Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, which was selected by The New York Public Library as one of the 100 most important books of the 20th century.

Reviews

[Sondra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had trouble with the very beginning of Brownmiller's memoir. But I have to say I'm glad I stuck with it. Brownmiller's work is an essential read for any young feminist or person wanting to understand 2nd wave Women's Movement in the 1960's and 70's. She paints a world I never grew up in--a world without access to birth control, abortion rights, protection from sexual harassment or sexual expression, rape crisis centers, or job opportunities for women that existed beyond teacher or secretary. It is an enlightening read, which has allowed me to appreciate what all those women during that time worked for. Their sacrifices have enabled the women of my generation to lead full independent lives, legally protected, and without question.
I think a good read after Brownmiller's book is Gail Collins' "1960 When Everything Changed." Her information flows a bit more smoothly and she references a lot of the women that Brownmiller discusses. Collins also does a bit more pre-60's history with her discussion on Alice Paul and also Martha Griffiths..well worth the read.

[Keri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with how to rate this book. I enjoyed learning about various pieces of the feminist movement, which I hadn't learned much about before. I know that a lot of the things the women profiled in this book fought for have directly benefited me, and I'm fortunate to live in this era. That being said, I felt like I would have enjoyed the book more had there been more of a unifying narrative. There were a LOT of details, some seeming unnecessary, and a lot of the chapters seemed to be more of a laundry list of the things that happened rather than any true reflection. This is probably why it took me a month to read it - it just didn't hold my interest like I felt it could.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was interesting as an overview, and it was fascinating (and frankly disheartening) to read about how all of the infighting (clearly not limited to feminism- a cautionary tale in general!) worked against the movement, even while at times bringing important concerns to the table. I was reminded of another book I am reading about the Spanish Civil War and the different factions on the left that continually got in each other's way (or worse.) Yet at the same time it is an inspiring read, and sobering to realize that so much that those of us born in the seventies grew up taking for granted was actually so recent and hard-working (and unfortunately, not necessarily permanent, as recent events make clear.)

I gave it only three stars because at times it felt like an endless parade of names that were hard to keep straight, though I do value the personal, memoir aspect of it as opposed to a more historical account. It does provide a lot of perspective on the movement, and now I am curious to read other accounts from other people with their own, different perspectives.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

A narrative description of the 2nd wave feminist movement (roughly the '60s and '70s), from the perspective of a prominent white feminist. There are almost certainly gaps in what this book can provide, but it was potent, especially when Brownmiller was discussing the early days before too much structure jumped into the mix. Above all, Brownmiller is able to weave subtle themes throughout the book about some of the challenges that the movement faced; a distrust of acknowledgement being a major one. As a historical review, I found it really helpful in contextualizing my own feminist work.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost always enjoy memoirs of partisans, people who were involved in movements, and this is no exception. I cannot vouch for the accuracy of all her assertions about others (I'm sure there are always bad feelings and people remember things different) but this is an enjoyable read that puts you inside the early second wave feminist movement.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging memoir of Women's Liberation. I greatly augmented my list of books to read throughout reading this book from a number of works Brownmiller mentions.
I read most of this book on my commute to and from school. It is written clearly and organized in such a way that it was easy to put down and pick up. a few times a day and be able to stay involved.

[colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great piece of history detailing the revival of the feminist movement in the late '60s and '70s. some of the names are still familiar today, and it's scary how we seem to be treading the same ground.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life and the way I think about myself, my friends, my career and my future. It helped me find my voice.

[Ciara · Rating 3 out of 5]

i remember the first time i read this book, which was shortly after it was released (2003-ish?), i really, really loved it. you know, due to my whole fascination with feminist-y memoirs from the era of the 1960s. i mean, in that respect, it's like this book was tailor-made to satisfy my interests. susan brownmiller was heavily involved in the second wave of the feminist movement. she wrote against our will, one of the first major feminist works about rape, & helped bring awareness to the issue of sexual harrassment. she was involved with consciousness-raising groups back in the day, & went on to participate in feminist newspeper collectives & an organization that gave tour of times square in new york in order to shed light on the evils of the sex industry. & this is where susan & i part ways upon my second reading. i am hopeful that i was critical of the whole sex-industry-is-bad thing the first time i read the book, since there's never been a time in my life when i was whole-heartedly opposed to the sex industry. i mean, growing up, a lot of my mom's friends were sex workers, so i had a little window into the reality of the situation, besides just reading books or whatever. but for some reason, i didn't remember all this anti-sex work stuff. i guess i was just so excited by some of the other stories in here, like the account of the miss america protest, & susan's experiences breaking through the glass ceiling as a reporter (or trying, anyway) & all the dishy gossippy insider second-wave info that i forget about the whole times square part. not so surprisingly, considering the deviations between second-wave credo & my personal conception of feminist politics, there was a lot in here i didn't agree with. & as much as i love a little gossip when it comes to political movements, there is a fine line between political disagreement & just straight up cutting other women down for the sake of cutting other women down, & i think susan crosses the line every now & again. jealousy kills girls, susan! although, as susan became well-known as a voice of 1970s feminism because of her ability to provide quote-able responses to reporter questions, other feminist turned on her & it all sounded pretty nightmare-ish (& something i can TOTALLY RELATE TO, for real), so i guess susan is all too aware that jealousy kills girls. this book is actually totally worth a read, just for the whole famous-activist-spurned-by-movement dynamic. fascinating shit, right there.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars but rounding up due to the importance of the history and the massive amount of work that went into researching.

Very comprehensive history of 2nd wave feminist movement. Many figures to remember which made it a bit confusing; it felt like sometimes the author forgot to remind us these women's contexts from previous parts of the book and then later in a subsequent piece, remembered to reminded us. However, still giving 4 stars for the massive undertaking to put these stories together for future feminists to learn from.

A criticism could be that it again, as with the movement itself, defined white women's contributions as the core from which minority groups sprang. Though I think Brownmiller did her best, as part of that group, to include contributions from non-white, not-heterosexual feminists. To be debated as to whether she was successful.

Not rating a 5 because the narrative dragged on in a few spots with details that perhaps we important to the author, due to her vantage point in the movement, but perhaps not critical to add to such an already comprehensive tome.

[Sami Eerola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of the second wave feminism. This book surprised me, because it was written by a person that lived through the times she is writing. The book present fairly partially the feminist movement and its different radical strains. Only some personal squabbles against some activist maybe are biased. But the overall history seems fairly detailed.

This book documents the origins of second wave feminism and challenges the notion that a third 0r fourth wave exist. Many things that we think are new feminist ideas existed in the 60´s and 70´s. Just now they are mainstream.

This book also shows how all feminist ideas originated in the streets and women's living rooms, from grass roots groups. Some ideas very crazy and the died down, but some grow to mainstream. This book is a very interesting document on social movement and how like in a Darwinian struggle, some ideas die and others prevail.

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Susan Brownmiller is very much a feminist of her time. Her analysis on civil rights and diversity in the second wave feminist movement needs some work. The same can be said for her comments on queer women. The ways in which intersectionality was not a concern for many second wave feminists comes through. With that being said, it was interesting to read the perspective of someone who lived through so much vibrant history. It was also funny to realize that progressive group infighting and “cancel culture” has always and probably will always be present in social movements. It’s not a new concept.

[Jennifer Abdo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely one that should be read in addition to other feminist movement biographies and histories. Brownmiller is comprehensive, but I think everyone involved personally in a moment in history like this has both an interesting viewpoint and possibly inflated view of their own importance tob the whole. She also came down on what I see as the wrong side of several issues, like antipornography, she's rather intent on defending, but I get that need to tell your side of the story and the history of the time is richer for it. A must read as long as it's part of a survey of the period.

[Elliot Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent history of second wave feminism. "Whereas first-wave feminism focused mainly on suffrage and overturning legal obstacles to gender equality (e.g., voting rights and property rights), second-wave feminism broadened the debate to a wide range of issues: sexuality, family, the workplace, reproductive rights, de facto inequalities, and official legal inequalities.[1] Second-wave feminism also drew attention to domestic violence and marital rape issues, establishment of rape crisis and battered women's shelters, and changes in custody and divorce law."

[Melinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a lot of fascinating detail about the Women's Liberation Movements in the U.S., from the '60s through the '80s. Drifts between autobiographical and merely historical. Some overlap in content with Phyllis Chesler's A Politically Incorrect Feminist, though Brownmiller's book is significantly longer (and drier). Definitely worth a read if you're interested in the history of American feminism.

[Ann Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meticulously researched memoir that highlights the behind-the-scenes struggles of 1970s feminism. It's fascinating to see how movement principles (and, in particular, radical movement principles) collided with the actions taken by high-profile organizations and personalities. What emerges is a portrait of the conflict and messiness that is baked into movement politics -- at least any kind of meaningful movement politics.

[Cynthia Bemis Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand both the energy and dysfunction of Second Wave Feminism. Even in the matter of why some within the movement held animosity for Gloria Steinem, Brownmiller presents the personalities, events and timeline that leads a reader to a better, though not complete, understanding of history.

[Mark Koester · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really wanted to like this but too many names and details to keep me engaged.

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. It was a wonderful experience to read this history of the early radical women's movement. Excellent writing. I loved it.

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I found this book disappointing. Not so much due to the topics covered, but I didn't really think it was a memoir. Rape, abortion and battery were some of the hard topics covered, along with women and the media; the basis or beginnings of feminism and feminist authors. The whole era of this feminist movement can be summed up by the authors own words "suffered from burnout and divisive internal struggles stemming from the usual problems endemic to all movements for social change - theoretical disputes, personaility differences, ego trips and power plays" - women were too busy fighting among themselves. The author seems to think the headway made in rape and abortion is complete, but are still two topics discussed today as requiring further discussion, debate and activisim.

Quotes through the book remind you however of just how far things have come. "Imagine a time - or summon it back into memory - when a husband was required to countersign a wife's application for a credit card, a bank loan, or automobile insurance, when psychiatrists routinely located the cause of an unsatisfactory sex life in the frigid, castrating, ball breaking female partner, when abortion was an illegal, back-ally procedure, when rape was the woman's fault, when nobody dared talk about the battery that went on behind closed doors, or could file a complaint about sexual harrassment."

The advocates for women's sufferage in the late 1800s and early 1900s along with these women in the 1960s and 1970s have brought us to a point we need to make sure to maintain and continue forward.

SBC: Match song I'm just a girl by No Doubt

[Lilac · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were way too many names in this book, of people I don't know anything about. Some I learned about, but many I didn't, and I found myself wondering if she's mostly just trying not to piss people off by leaving them out. A daunting task for sure.

I don't know if this is the best book that could have been written on the topic, it's certainly not perfect, but I really appreciated it in so many ways. I was born in 1968, pretty much alongside second wave feminism. I sort of took it for granted and couldn't quite imagine a world before/without it. I find myself dismayed at the backlash (perhaps just normal pendulum swing) that seems to be in place kind of since I grew up, and there was something heartening about reading about this process. As many of the dreams as we (they) failed to accomplish, I'm glad I grew up with the idea that I, as a woman, am a valid human being. Interesting to get a glimpse into the work that went into making that my reality.

[Skyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating when viewed as a memoir, which excuses some of the author's descriptions of the personality flaws of other activists (and herself). At first, I kept thinking of how it would feel to read the book as one of the women described as difficult in one way or another.

I was especially interested in actions taken while I was still in high school. For example, I had no idea that as late as 1970 "unescorted" (by men) women were not allowed into establishments like the Russian Tea Room...not even a mother and daughter going out for a birthday treat. "The humiliating policy was enforced by bartenders with uncommon zeal" till a women's sit in brought this particular form of discrimination to an end.

The stories of painful schisms in the movement brought back memories. Human nature seems to lead to conflict in all sorts of groups whether entertainment oriented or politically based. Thus it is even more remarkable how much the second wave of feminism accomplished.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this, due to the sheer scale of Brownmiller's legacy. Sadly I found it mostly superficial. Especially disappointing was Brownmiller's breezy dismissal of criticism of her treatment of race in Against Our Will. More than twenty years after the fact, she chose to address this only by characterizing Angela Davis's criticism in particular as having been demonizing and rigidly ideological. This tendency is not a one-off -- a similarly dismissive tone is invoked on the subject of the "feminist sex wars," and on her own place in conflicts between straight and lesbian feminists. In the end we're left with a memoir of a fascinating (and more relevant than many seem to think) period in United States history, authored by a figure from that history who appears unwilling to pause and reflect at all on her own capacity for error.

[Laura Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brownmiller's book is less a memoir as most people use the term than an historical account of the movement to which she devoted her life. The book offers a lot of fascinating information and detail about feminist activism of the 60s and 70s, especially how writers, journalists and those within the media became activists because of the movement they were writing about. Brownmiller defends her own positions against pornography and legal prostitution that many feminists will now take issue with without really exploring, and her descriptions of feminists debates may feel a bit inside baseball to readers not already familiar with the players, but the book is overall an important and valuable document.

[Mikayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for any modern feminists. I personally found it very interesting to see Brownmiller's perspective throughout the rise of second-wave feminism (especially as an American student that got effectively no information on feminism in history class past, "And then the women got to vote."). That being said, it is a memoir, so if you're new to memoirs, really give yourself some time to read it through. It took me about a month reading a few hours a week to get through it, and it does have some moments where it becomes slow or redundant. This is not a read-it-in-a-night type of book, which is my personal favorite. But, it is a great, eye-opening book.

[Anderse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely more of a memoir than a history since it comes from her personal experience in the movement. But, a solid good introduction to/overview of the topic.
While I read this book, I kept in mind the students who read this in the Allegheny College class my Mom took recently probably couldn't imagine the way things were in the 1960s and even 70s -what rights women take for granted now that were dreams back then.

[anique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked this book. But then again, that was before I went and got myself a secondary degree in gender studies. With this new armor of intellect, I bet I'd find Brownmiller's account of so-called second wave feminism riddled with hetero-classist tendencies. Ahhh, how I long for my innocent and unbridled feminism.

[Thorn MotherIssues · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book said "brickbats" more than any other book I've ever read. I'm not sure people who didn't already have some sense of who the people involved were would enjoy the book much, but I'm glad I read it. Despite how defensive she is about not being anti-lesbian, Brownmiller really seemed a little uncomfortable with lesbians. Weird.

[Stephanie Conine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brownmiller's book certainly does provide a fascinating history of the women's movement's early days. It is wonderful to learn the details of who first said certain slogans we all know so well now. In this respect, the book is strong on detail, fun and enjoyable. However, I felt the novel tended to name drop on to many ocassions that causes confusion for the reader.

[Laurie]

As I have not taken a womens studies class or anything of the sort, this is a great introduction to the women's lib movement. It is well-organized gives cred to those involved, so it is a easy jumping off point to reserach names and events