Why I Am Not A Feminist: A Feminist Manifesto

I am a 31-year-old male with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. I would recommend this book because I feel it was written in good faith.As far as sociology books go, it's surely one of the less data-heavy ones, but the author's arguments about the iteration of feminism she's referring to don't really require hard statistical data; the experience of being an active Internet user for a few months would provide enough personal experience for the reader to grasp the relevance of her points.The book is moralistic and prescriptive, even persuasive at times. To be brief, it is a tirade with a few exhortations and a few patient explanations sprinkled in. To give it the same serious consideration one would give to a more data-driven, quantitatively scientific work surely breaks a rule about treating opinion the same as fact when doing scholarly work. Nevertheless, I think it is worthwhile reading for students or just the general public. It may be better categorized as a philosophy book than a social science book; nevertheless, I would recommend it to any aspiring social scientist as a book that fulfills the moral imperative of sociology.The author discusses Andrea Dworkin as an important and polarizing person in the history of feminism, and it was worthwhile for me to read her work for the first time as well.Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a genuinely well-intentioned, good-faith perspective on the state and direction of the feminist movement, and, because of this strong moral grounding, I would recommend it above faddish self-help books for anyone seeking spiritual guidance or personal improvement or growth.

Nice preliminary intro into understanding true feminist thought. It is not a big or lengthy book, nor is it strictly informational. It is rather, as the title suggests, a passionate manifesto written in simple, fierce prose. After reading it you may feel that you were expecting more, but the thing about this book is it sticks with you and makes you really think. It effectively presents what is wrong with the term in our popular culture and what behavior has co-opted it. Believe Jessa, not the current stars. There are not any magical instructions, nor 'how to' step-by-step lists for how to think more intellectually or like a 'feminist' in this book. Rather, it offers more of a philosophical approach and presents the key for changing the way you think. It does discuss and recommend further reading and writers as well, in a way that really piques your interest. Every woman and mature girl should read this book, as well as every man. In order to win this fight, we need equal and willing participation from all kinds. Knowledge and understanding is power.

Full disclosure: I bought this based on the title alone. I expected something along the lines of "modern feminism has gone too far and it's not for me." Boy was I wrong! In Jessa Crispin's view, third-wave feminism has become too safe, too easy. Feminism should be for them and by them, and not try to make mass appeals that inevitably water down what they're trying to accomplish. In a similar manner to Thiel/Sacks' criticism of multiculturalists in THE DIVERSITY MYTH, Crispin finds fault with the current crop of feminists in their failure of imagination, and hypocrisy in aiming for goals within the system they're supposed to be subverting. In other words, they aren't radical enough. She differs from Thiel/Sacks in that she doesn't just leave it at exposing the hypocrisy (and advocating keeping the system intact), but advocates a new system based on different values and indicators of success. I can't recommend this highly enough, save for one detail. This book is geared towards women, i.e., not me. And there are several paragraphs where she makes that very clear, almost as an afterthought. But I'm fine. They're just words. I'm a big boy and I can take it. So, if you're a woman who considers herself a feminist, drop whatever you're doing and read this now. You won't regret it.

As a female in my mid-20s that used to be quite impassioned by the feminist movement, I have recently become disenchanted with the approach and methodologies of "feminism" in recent years. I never quite knew how to articulate my feelings/issues until I read some excerpts from Crispin in other publications and decided to purchase this book. This book is not anti-feminism in any way, shape or form. It's simply a contemporary critique of how feminism has lost its effectiveness in trying to appeal to the masses. Crispin believes that in order to truly push equal rights we need to return to a feminism that seeks to dismantle these systems of oppression, rather than re-situate ourselves within them. It's certainly worth a read if you're feeling how I was - it will get you back on track.

I know this is a manifesto and not a research journal, but I think this book would have carried a lot more weight if the author backed up more of her claims with actual evidence. There are some concrete references, but I remain unconvinced by some of her examples.Another glaringly obvious problem: the author really tells you what is wrong with "pop-culture" feminists and feminism but doesn't discuss what she wants feminism to be going forward. What does she want women and men to do in her ideal world?In an interview, she said it wasn't her job to answer this question, but if your entire book is about how women aren't doing enough to help other women, you're really not drawing a clear picture of how you are either...

Book is well written and understandable. It gave me another perspective on the subject. I’d recommend to my friend to wide the horizons.

Clear, pointed, poignant, ethical, and at times humorous. A excellent read to gain perspective on the larger impact of the causes we fight for and why we should step back and analyze them from time to time to better know our actions. Highly recommended.

Aunque el título puede ser un tanto "engañoso" (lo cual es el objetivo de la autora), el contenido le permite al lector o lectora descubrir diferentes perspectivas que el feminismo ha tomado durante varias épocas. Este libro confronta ciertas perspectivas, acciones y falta de acción por parte de los movimientos feministas así como deja ver los vacíos que existen y han existido en el movimiento. Es perfecto para conocer más sobre el tema y el debate del feminismo y para adentrarte en este movimiento.

Only half through so far. It is a great reminder of what the Women's Liberation movement was about-Liberation in the bigger meaning of the word. Crispin is railing against the loss of purpose, the realization that this most important and potentially transforming opportunity has deteriorated (not entirely I think) into Victory is getting a slice of the rich folks pie. And being smug about it. White folk stuff and wanna be's.

This book is sharp, strong, ballsy and intelligent. It really lays it on the line. But it is also immensely logical in its reasoning. Feminism was NEVER a broad based and polite movement. Women have the vote because a small number of radicals chained themselves to parliament, endured prison, even died for the cause. MARY JANE CLARK was the first women to die in the UK for the vote. Why isn't SHE on a bank note? But that's to digress a bit. Jessa Crispin is a 21st Century Pankhurst, ready to cause trouble in order that the whole world is more just and she's to be applauded and clapped on the back. Get this book regardless of your views - it'll make you think.

Un testo molto interessante per riflettere sul femminismo ai giorni nostri, sui suoi punti di forza e sulle sue debolezze. Credo che ogni persona interessata all'argomento dovrebbe leggerlo, perché offre senza dubbio un punto di vista originale ed interessante. Per quanto riguarda il fatto che sia in lingua originale, devo dire che è scritto in modo piuttosto semplice, quindi lo trovo tranquillamente approcciabile anche da chi, come me, non è madrelingua inglese.

I'm a man. One of the best feminist books I have read. Very ussefull for mens and womans. Open minds and extends your knowledge to better understand .