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Difficult Women
- A History of Feminism in 11 Fights
- Narrated by: Helen Lewis
- Length: 9 hrs and 41 mins
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Difficult Women
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Summary
Well-behaved women don’t make history: difficult women do.
Helen Lewis argues that feminism’s success is down to complicated, contradictory, imperfect women who fought each other as well as fighting for equal rights. Too many of these pioneers have been whitewashed or forgotten in our modern search for feel-good, inspirational heroines. It’s time to reclaim the history of feminism as a history of difficult women.
In this audiobook, you’ll meet the working-class suffragettes who advocated bombings and arson; the princess who discovered why so many women were having bad sex; the pioneer of the refuge movement who became a men’s rights activist; the ‘striker in a sari’ who terrified Margaret Thatcher; the wronged Victorian wife who definitely wasn’t sleeping with the prime minister; and the lesbian politician who outraged the country. Taking the story up to the present with the 21st-century campaign for abortion services, Helen Lewis reveals the unvarnished - and unfinished - history of women’s rights.
Drawing on archival research and interviews, Difficult Women is a funny, fearless and sometimes shocking narrative history which shows why the feminist movement has succeeded - and what it should do next. The battle is difficult, and we must be difficult, too.
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- mommy_Edwards
- 15-08-20
Now proud to be a Difficult Woman
Such a great book. Interesting and funny. I am now proud to call myself a Feminist and understand why previously, I felt this ‘wasn’t really for me’. An inspiring ‘read’.
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- J Stephenson
- 19-03-21
Well researched and interesting story of feminism.
This genre isn't usually on my regular reading list but it's a very well researched book. The story of the Feminist Movement from a more personal and so different point of view makes for an interesting read. It took a couple of attempts to complete but I'm very glad I did.
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- A Scott
- 01-10-22
Thought provoking
I often shy away from being called a feminist. I feel that the term has tried to say that women are better than men. That is not what I believe. I want equality. Helen's book has shown that this can, and is a part of the feminist movement. There are just lots of different beliefs within the movement.
Thank you to all the women who has fought for me to have the right to attend school, attend university, vote, have a female doctor, get a loan/mortgage on my own and so much more.
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- Book lover
- 22-05-20
Excellent
A book that everyone should read, especially those in government. Entertaining as well as informative.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 27-02-21
Absolutely brilliant book
Amazing book, thought provoking, accessible yet intellectual. Would highly recommend! Very good use of my time, though roughly enjoyable. So nice to have the author read their own book for the audiobook.
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- Alan Norris
- 06-06-21
The wheels grind slowly
Chapter 3 taught me I've probably been doing lots wrong and I was delighted that chapter 4 informed me that the 20th century's best woman footballer was from my home town. A very thought provoking read and with the rise of right-wing mysogynistic populists like Johnson a book that will likely have to be rewritten a fresh in 20 years for the next generation. Highly recommended listen.
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- Raymon
- 09-02-21
Best book on feminism
Brilliantly read by the author. Informative. Thorough. Refreshing. Funny. An endlessly important read, for everyone!
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- Sarah Hudson
- 25-08-20
Wish I'd had this 10 years ago.
An absolutely fantastic book, really inspiring and interesting. I would recommend this to anyone interested in humans!
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- Danielle St.Clair
- 13-08-20
Incredible, insightful, inspirational.
I cannot stress how much this book moved me and resonated with me!
It explores the messy and complicated histories of feminist icons, and how people cannot be categorised as either "good" or "bad". It unveils the uncomfortable parts of feminist history and doesn't shy away from truths. It explores the damaging effects of in-fighting within the feminist movement and how turning on each other can delay the strive for equality. A fascinating read that I've already recommended to as many people as will listen.
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- Rachel Cottrell
- 25-09-21
excellent women
Well said Helen Lewis, enlightening and horrifying in equal measure, but with enough wry humour to make it all bearable. I am now proud to say that I am a difficult woman and it delights me.
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