Deborah Cameron (1) (1958–)

Sometimes one can be shocked by just how good something is. This is a remarkable book - extremely important, and absolutely delightful! I hope to read many more books in life, but I am sure this will go down as one of the best things I have ever read.
The author's writing style is extremely incisive and full of dry humor, but never does it stray from the gravity of the consequences of the myths she busts with amazing skill in every sentence. I truly think this is one of those books you can show more enjoy while feeling grateful for learning so much and unlearning so many harmful notions fed to all of us by popular psych and 'scientific' narratives.
I loved every moment of reading this, and wish everyone in the world would read it. show less

Gender essentialism- the idea that men are men and women are women, and never the twain shall meet- is one of the base problems in the lives of everyone human. Women, men and especially those of us who float somewhere between the two essentialist poles are badly served by the conviction- in politics, economics, civil rights, and everything else- that gender is perforce binary.

The "Mars and Venus" trope accepts this premise, and the idea that men and women are by our very natures utterly show more incomprehensible to each other.

This book proves them wrong, in a short, very readable, and generously documented way. Although succinct, it is also quite thorough, which I (having taken a class in rhetoric and sex roles over 35 years ago) appreciated.

Cameron points out that despite the brouhaha around gender differences in communication, in actuality there is far, far more overlap between the genders than differences. men and woman not only do understand each other almost all the time, but can be proven to do so.

Personally, I found it interesting to learn which of the studies I read in that long-ago class were supported by more recent work, and which were not.

Not only is this relevant to most of our personal lives, but also to public policy when it comes to dealing with sexual violence and other sexual harassment.

Very recommended! show less

This book carefully and in an evidence-based fashion busts all the current myths around the "differences" between men's and women' brains and language. At points scathing, very bracing. One of those ones you wish you could make everyone read. I wonder how the author feels about the fact that the entire design and packaging of the book screams "chick lit"- it's very disconcerting and made me feel embarrassed reading it on the train. It means that many people who might find this book useful show more might also overlook it on a bookshop or library shelf. show less

FACT: sexism is still alive and well. The history of feminist movements with all of it triumphs and debates presented in a concise, easy to comprehend manor. Current-day feminist issues and and inequalities. The politics and people that are preventing change. Primer for those looking to understand the world surrounding them and what they experience everyday.
I have not read Cameron's feminist tome written in the 80s or any of her other writings, but this book shows how well versed she is on show more the topic. I recommend it for women who were told all their lives that they were equal in every way, but find themselves angry with just how unequal life turned out.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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