Reasonable Woman: A Guide to Intellectual Survival

by Wendy McElroy

Have you, as a woman, ever felt frustrated while engaged in a discussion on some important topic? Do you feel constrained when attempting to express your ideas and views to others? Do you find yourself at a loss for words? Have you been labeled "unreasonable" by the men in your life? Have you been told you are too emotional or that women just tend to be that way? Well, help is on the way!

Wendy McElroy has broken through the wall of sexual stereotyping to offer the perfect guide to help women recognize their mental power, learn to reason effectively, and use this resource to succeed in love, work, and life. Designed for all women who want to explode the label of being "unreasonable," this volume outlines the tools needed for readers to realize their intellectual potential. McElroy's delightful and informative book will help you win arguments; rise above intimidation; and successfully express yourself in private or in public, even in the face of hostility. This valuable self-help and women's studies guide includes the psychological dimensions of reasoning, emotional "barriers," how to break the fear of error, and arguing to win.

Genres: Feminism, Logic

Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

About the author

Wendy McElroy is a Canadian individualist feminist and anarcho-capitalist.

Among feminists, she identifies herself as being sex-positive: defending the availability of pornography and condemning anti-pornography feminism campaigns. She has also voiced criticism of sexual harassment policies, particularly the zero-tolerance policies common to grade schools, which she considers to be "far too broad and vague" and lacking the sound research necessary to guide responsible policy-making decisions.

In explaining her position in regard to capitalism, she says she has a "marked personal preference for capitalism as the most productive, fair and sensible economic system on the face of the earth," but also recognizes that the free market permits other kinds of systems as well. She says what she wants for society is "not necessarily a capitalistic arrangement but a free market system in which everyone can make the peaceful choices they wish with their own bodies and labor." Therefore, she does not call herself a capitalist but someone for a "free market."

(This description is taken from Wikipedia.)

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, a lot, though it would probably be exceptionally useful to a younger woman, as it covered a fair amount of territory with which I was already familiar. Still, it clarified some ideas and gave me ample food for thought about the structure of argument, the means of reason, and how to carefully construct an opinion.

[Lea Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely everyone should read this book - and not just women. It gives a great overview of logic and there is lots of info on how to be thought of as a rational woman. Wendy is an amazingly intelligent woman and I hope to meet her someday.

[Luna Corbden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book on logic for women. How to critically evaluate information. Well written and fun to read. I recommend this for anyone (women or men). By one of my role models, feminist and libertarian Wendy McElroy.