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jess_sacul's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
gondorsfinest's review against another edition
5.0
I would describe myself as an optimistic person. I believe that compared to where we've been as a society, we're doing much better now in terms of equality and human rights. Therefore, it is a bit deflating to read just how far we still have to go in terms of true equity - but of course, I appreciate that this information was collected in the first place, especially in such a professional, wide-scope and well-sourced manner. I'm serious. The last 90 pages of this are sources. Be still, my academic heart!
Some of the topics mentioned in here you'll have heard about. The car crash test dummy issue, for example, has been in the news quite a lot lately - dummies being calculated with average male dimensions and center of gravity, and women therefore being more likely to be physically injured or even die during accidents.
Some topics you might be familiar with, but not aware how deep the issue runs. I did know women's symptoms were more likely to be dismissed by both the public and the medical field. I didn't know some medication wasn't even tested on women because periods apparently "don't mix well" with lab results - even though women will end up taking these medications, and they tend to have menstrual cycles while doing it, so it seems absurd to not take it into account just because doing so would be expensive or difficult.
Some topics will be news to you entirely. I, for example, did not know how much the absence of public toilets affects girls and women around the world.
I think no matter how educated you are on feminism or women's issues in general, this book will be highly informative to anybody.
Some of the topics mentioned in here you'll have heard about. The car crash test dummy issue, for example, has been in the news quite a lot lately - dummies being calculated with average male dimensions and center of gravity, and women therefore being more likely to be physically injured or even die during accidents.
Some topics you might be familiar with, but not aware how deep the issue runs. I did know women's symptoms were more likely to be dismissed by both the public and the medical field. I didn't know some medication wasn't even tested on women because periods apparently "don't mix well" with lab results - even though women will end up taking these medications, and they tend to have menstrual cycles while doing it, so it seems absurd to not take it into account just because doing so would be expensive or difficult.
Some topics will be news to you entirely. I, for example, did not know how much the absence of public toilets affects girls and women around the world.
I think no matter how educated you are on feminism or women's issues in general, this book will be highly informative to anybody.
dedeeps's review against another edition
what else is there to say like everyone needs to go read this right now i’m so serious
mewtwoapologist's review against another edition
3.0
i’ll give this a solid 3 and preface that i do think it’s worth reading.
there’s a lot of important information in this book. it really did open my eyes to so many ways women were ignored that i did not even think of. and just reaffirmed my pessimism about the medical disadvantage of having a female body everywhere in the world…anyway, i think this book contains material that should be read by anyone who cares about the plight of women in this world. but….
the political perspective from which this book is written is so painful. hillary clinton and melinda gates are not leaders in closing the gender gap be serious. it’s just such a neoliberal perspective-everything from the quips she thinks are witty to the proposed solutions to these issues. and on one hand yes, for so much of the world, the situation of women is so dire, we have to meet them where they’re at. but it’s so clear that the writer’s ideal is a capitalism and a democracy that “works for women too.” it’s just very frustrating because the contents of this book are so essential, but the analysis is very lacking. and one can argue that that’s not the goal of the book, but she really does needlessly insert her opinions like yes we know who YOU would have voted for in 2016 if you were american (she is british).
anyway i may add more later because i read this slowly over several weeks and forgot a lot of my comments but yeah. it’s a frustrating and depressing read but still probably the best source for all of this data (and lack thereof).
there’s a lot of important information in this book. it really did open my eyes to so many ways women were ignored that i did not even think of. and just reaffirmed my pessimism about the medical disadvantage of having a female body everywhere in the world…anyway, i think this book contains material that should be read by anyone who cares about the plight of women in this world. but….
the political perspective from which this book is written is so painful. hillary clinton and melinda gates are not leaders in closing the gender gap be serious. it’s just such a neoliberal perspective-everything from the quips she thinks are witty to the proposed solutions to these issues. and on one hand yes, for so much of the world, the situation of women is so dire, we have to meet them where they’re at. but it’s so clear that the writer’s ideal is a capitalism and a democracy that “works for women too.” it’s just very frustrating because the contents of this book are so essential, but the analysis is very lacking. and one can argue that that’s not the goal of the book, but she really does needlessly insert her opinions like yes we know who YOU would have voted for in 2016 if you were american (she is british).
anyway i may add more later because i read this slowly over several weeks and forgot a lot of my comments but yeah. it’s a frustrating and depressing read but still probably the best source for all of this data (and lack thereof).
ericamoreira's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
jonimnewman's review against another edition
5.0
Invisible Women is an overwhelming book in a lot of ways. So much data, so many places where women are overlooked in the way our society constructs . . . Pretty much everything. Still, I didn’t leave this book feeling as discouraged as some seem to have. This book helped me feel more empowered to speak up for the gaps that I see, and helped me notice some of the gaps I didn’t know about worldwide. Knowledge is power, and this book is powerful.