Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics

Finally, I disagree with the reviewer who said this book is only for the "fringe" because hooks points out "our feminist pioneers [were] privileged, educated white women." Um...THEY WERE for the most part. If you're looking for a whitewashed version of the history of feminism then this book isn't for you. Like the feminist movement itself, this book cannot address sex and gender without also addressing race and class. Also, nowhere in the book does hooks imply that housewives are excluded from feminism. The book actually touches on the fact that most of the work done by women (including especially unpaid domestic labor) is still unpaid and undervalued in this society.

The amazing thing about this book is that hooks is able to compress so much information into such an easy and interesting read. You won't put it down except maybe to get your hi-liter.


bell hooks rocks- and so does her book   September 17, 2001
Book Reader (San Francisco, CA United States)
17 out of 19 found this review helpful

Feminism is for Everybody is a great book for third wave generation feminists. Most young feminists of today don't know the history of feminism that bell hooks recounts in this book. bell hooks explains how the current feminist movement lacks a strong sense of sisterhood, and one reason for that is our lack of participation in consciousness raising groups. We need safe, sacred space in which to work out our internalized sexism. We need to learn about feminism outside of the classroom as well as inside it. We need to come together across the lines of race, class, and education, and demand a revolution.

hooks also dicusses some of the differences between "reform" feminism and "revolutionary" feminism, and why knowing about the distinction is so important. That helped me to understand one reason why today's feminism seems to exclude women of color and poor women so much.

I highly recommend hooks' book for women (and men) who are new to feminism and to those who've been involved in the movement for a while. I think she has some excellent and important things to teach us about our movement and where it needs to go.


Clarity on the Feminist Movement and where it can go next   January 2, 2001
Melanie Azzouz (San Luis Obispo, CA United States)
11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Bell Hooks is an articulate and inspired writer. This book is a great primer to give to friends and family to inform them about the feminist movement...since many people hear only what the mainstream media has to say...this book takes into account the perspectives of black and white women/men.

A free-thinker leverages the brilliance of others to enable him/her in developing and testing his/her own ideas...this is one author which will certainly help you in testing and developing your own ideas on feminism and patriarchy.

It is concise, easy reading. It also clearly reflects many of the same historical points which I recently saw on the PBS special "Not For Ourselves Alone"...a program about the early suffrage movement pioneers, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony.


For beginners   November 12, 2004
Allison (Haverford, PA)
8 out of 10 found this review helpful

I think bell hooks attempts, in all of her books to make sure that anyone, regardless of class or location can read her book and understand it. Too often, the books that are more "complex" tend to be geared at the small number of people who can spend their time reading every little thing about an issue--i.e. those who are college educated. However, those people who work all day, have families to care for, and needs that most college students don't have to worry about, can pick up this book and feel involved in the quest for gender equality. It is empowering and informational and I highly recommend it.


A joyful introduction to the feminist politics of bell hooks   April 21, 2006
wildflowerboy (planet earth)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful

For anyone new to radical feminism and/or the work of cultural critic and black feminist activist bell hooks, "Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics" is a wonderful introduction. Like all of her books, it is clear, concise and rich with wisdom. Like Audre Lorde, Cherrie Moraga, Barbara Smith and Gloria Anzaldua, bell hooks has helped to revolutionize feminist theory by insisting on its alliance with socialism and national liberation movements. Begin with this book, then read her others. They will change your life and transform our world.