Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Women's Guide to Why Feminism Matters

( 31 )

Overview

Feminism isn't dead. It just isn't very cool anymore. Enter Full Frontal Feminism, a book that embodies the forward-looking messages that author Jessica Valenti propagated as founder of the popular website, Feministing.com.

This revised edition includes a new foreword by Valenti, reflecting upon what’s happened in the five years since Full Frontal Feminism was originally published. With new openers from Valenti in every chapter, the book covers a range of topics, including pop ...

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Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters

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More About This Book

Overview

Feminism isn't dead. It just isn't very cool anymore. Enter Full Frontal Feminism, a book that embodies the forward-looking messages that author Jessica Valenti propagated as founder of the popular website, Feministing.com.

This revised edition includes a new foreword by Valenti, reflecting upon what’s happened in the five years since Full Frontal Feminism was originally published. With new openers from Valenti in every chapter, the book covers a range of topics, including pop culture, health, reproductive rights, violence, education, relationships, and more.

Chapters include:
You’re a Hardcore Feminist. I Swear.
Feminists Do It Better (and Other Sex Tips)
Pop Culture Gone Wild The Blame (and Shame) Game If These Uterine Walls Could Talk My Big Fat Unnecessary Wedding and Other Dating Diseases
“Real” Women Have Babies I Promise I Won’t Say “Herstory”
Boys Do Cry Beauty Cult
Sex and the City Voters, My Ass

Valenti knows better than anyone that young women need a smart-ass book that deals with real-life issues in a style they can relate to. No rehashing the same old issues or belaboring where today's young women have gone wrong. Feminism should be something young women feel comfortable with. Full Frontal Feminism is sending out the message to readers—yeah, you're feminists, and that's actually pretty frigging cool.

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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher
"Arresting, entertaining and serious."
—The New York Times

"If feminism is enjoying a revival among young women, much of the credit should go to women such as Jessica Valenti."
—The Guardian

"Full Frontal Feminism shows us feminism is alive and well and kicking all kinds of oppressive male ass."
—Margaret Cho

"Full Frontal Feminism is an irreverent guide to why young women should embrace the F-word."
—New York Magazine

"Full Frontal Feminism tackles serious feminist issues with a sense of humor and justified anger."
—Bitch magazine

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Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781580052016
  • Publisher: Avalon Publishing Group
  • Publication date: 4/28/2007
  • Pages: 269
  • Sales rank: 138,655
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.10 (h) x 0.90 (d)

Meet the Author

Jessica Valenti—called one of the Top 100 Inspiring Women in the world by The Guardian—is the author of four books on feminism, politics, and culture. Jessica is also the founder of Feministing.com, which Columbia Journalism Review called “head and shoulders above almost any writing on women’s issues in mainstream media.” Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Nation, The Guardian (UK), The American Prospect, Ms. magazine, Salon, and Bitch magazine.

Jessica received her Masters degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. She lives with her husband and daughter in New York.

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 31 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(20)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(5)

2 Star

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1 Star

(3)

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See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 31 Customer Reviews

  • Posted August 1, 2009

    Excellent, excellent "starter kit" to feminism!

    I have only rave reviews for Jessica Valenti, and for this book in particular. I have read others by her and like them all, but what is especially great about "Full Frontal" is that she takes formative examples from her other books (such as laws that protect pharmacists if they refuse to dispense birth control because they feel it's morally wrong, or a thorough analysis of the pervasive and invasive "Girls Gone Wild" phenomenon) and puts them into a context that rings true with young people. I say people because Valenti is quick to point out that feminism isn't, nor has ever been, an exclusively female issue. Sexism also affects men, in a hugely negative way! In fact, Valenti is quick to debunk the stereotypical myth that ALL feminists are man-hating, bra-burning (to use her word) "dykes." From flailing reproductive rights, to lies incorporated into public school sex-ed curriculum to guilt young women into chastity, to the disturbing prominence of father-daughter purity balls, to the history and present of the feminist movement, Valenti provides an accurate, unapologetic, appropriately impassioned, and hilarious overview of the importance of feminism today. What is even more impressive is that she also dedicates an entire chapter to empowering her readers with small things that can be done every day to push the feminist agenda forward. Indeed, as she persuades her readers, feminism is alive and well, but must always be fought for. What a revolutionary idea for someone like me, a young woman brought up to think it is so uncool to be a feminist! I recommend this book to anyone who is new (or needs a refresher course) to the basics and necessity of modern feminism.

    6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 14, 2007

    A reviewer

    I did not have high hopes for this book, as feministing.com is usually no more than a link or two to a newspaper article and some sort of catchphrase, but Full Frontal Feminism still managed to disappoint me. It deals only vaguely with feminist issues and gives a brief summary of them but no real analysis or solutions, is full of obscenities, personal attacks of people who somehow wronged Valenti in grade school, and makes out like feminism is all about guilt-free sex, with scarcely anything about equality or safety of women. Valenti gives barely even a nod to issues faced by poor women, women of color, lesbians and transwomen. She also goes on and on about 'We young women,' but last I checked, she was 28. How much does a 28-year-old, upper middle class woman with a master's degree (she brags about that, too) really understand about the struggle young women are facing, especially poor women and women of color? Well, if this book is any indication, next to nothing. It's condescending and pointless. Oh, and the cover! For a book that's supposed to be about feminism, why is there a disembodied, naked, female torso on the front? Objectifying women is objectifying women, whether you claim to be a feminist or not. If you're looking for a book that will help you make excuses to have sex and teach you new swear words, this is it. If you're a young woman looking for a good introduction to feminism, put this down and get something worth reading instead.

    2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted June 29, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    It definitely is a fair starter book for young women (maybe belo

    It definitely is a fair starter book for young women (maybe below college age) who are interested in learning about the main core issues involved with the feminist movement. The book doesn't really touch on too much analysis, but it certainly outlines the important issues for women today like reproductive rights, domestic violence, beauty standards, relationships, and careers. She does cite sources in what seems to be Chicago style, but there were many spots in the book where she was like "studies show" or "a recent study said" without naming the study or putting in a citation (or number in Chicago style) or sometimes she would just flat-out state something like it was fact without giving the source. Therefore, I would not recommend this for those of you who are in for an academic analysis of the current issues. This book is to be read more like a printed version of a blog, which makes sense, since she is a blogger. But the book does get you passionate and excited about women's issues--she also does a good job of getting you upset at the current state of affairs. Just remember to compliment her book with your own individual research.

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  • Posted July 17, 2010

    Something all young women should read...

    I've only read a few chapters of the book and already, I'm entranced by Ms. Valenti's quintessential masterpiece and her modern and unique take on Feminism. It certainly breaks down the walls and stereotypes of society and the media about sex, young women, and the ideology of feminism. Ms. Valenti weaves powerful words, facts, and humor altogether in this single book. I am definitely going to look into her other works! Call me a Jessica Valenti fan!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 3, 2009

    I Also Recommend:

    He's a Stud, She's a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know

    I highly recommend reading Full Frontal Feminism!!

    This book was very well written and very imformative. As a feminist who never realized that I was such. This book made me realize that I truly was a feminist, and now I'm proud of being labeled as such!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 22, 2008

    Love it!

    This book is awesome! If you have ever wanted to know more about feminism this is the book to read. I took a seminar at school and one of the presenters had this book... I got it as soon as it was over. This book has changed all of my views on feminism.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 30, 2008

    A reviewer

    It was so in your face and easy to read. I loved it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 27, 2007

    a must read for men and women alike

    This book is expertly written. It's a style that keeps the reader engaged as if talking to a friend. And it talks about real issues that women face and presents it in a manner that makes you think. If you're a person that's afraid of the truth and like a whole lot of fluff...this book isn't for you. But if you're a strong man or woman looking for a good read and even if you're not so sure about feminism but are willing to learn something about it- this book is for you. But I must warn this book isn't an in-depth book. It's meant to scan over the many areas of feminism to get you a start- to get you to think. And it does it quite well.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted August 8, 2007

    Not your Mom's Feminism

    I love love love this book! I'm a college student but I'm not a big reader. I could NOT put this book down!! She's makes so many great points in a languge younger generations can relate to. You may be taken back by the word 'Feminism' but if you love the idea of equality you'll adore this page turner. Chapter by chapter, I had a stronger sense of self and valid points to help support it!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 6, 2007

    A must read, no matter who you are!

    As quoted by Jessica herself this book really IS 'Self help times one hundred,' she really explains feminism in this must have book, affirming numerous issues most of us have already thought of ourselves but never put together! I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone!!!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted July 10, 2007

    A reviewer

    I have always held feminist ideals, but had never actually read any feminist text before I saw Jessica Valenti on the Colbert Report. After seeing her interview, I decided to pick up the book. It was amazing. The way it was written was very matter-of-fact with no condescending tone or fluff. It felt like I was having a conversation with a friend while I read it. Every point made in this book hit me close to home, because every point made in this book is something that will potentially effect every woman alive. Full Frontal Feminism opened my eyes to a movement that I didn't know I was a part of. After reading this book, I am proud to call myself a feminist.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 28, 2007

    FFF Doesn't Live Up to Its Racy Title

    Jessica Valenti is a part of the feminist blogger elite, and for good reason. The blog that she was part of establishing, Feministing.com, gets a lot of traffic and is well-known among internet savvy, young, hip feminists. Full disclosure: I read Feministing on a somewhat regular basis. Having read Valenti¿s writing on the blog ¿ which tends to be oversimplified and, quite frankly, bratty ¿ I was hoping her analysis in book form would show at least a tad more depth. Unfortunately for Valenti, there¿s a downside to fame it opens you up for public criticism. If Full Frontal Feminism is supposed to be the spark that ignites young women to identify as feminists and hop on the movement train, then women are in deep trouble. Valenti writes like a feminist version of Ann Coulter, and let¿s face it, Ann Coulter is hardly known for her intelligent commentary. Flamboyant and egotistical, much of Valenti¿s commentary is trite, at best. She makes sweeping generalizations (¿When you¿re a feminist, day to day life is better. You make better decisions. You have better sex.¿), repeatedly calls her opponents juvenile names ('The consequence of having the last name Buttars is apparently being a huge a.........'), confuses ¿truth¿ with ¿opinion,¿ and has apparently done very little actual research to prove her claims, as there is little to no citation of her assertions. At times, she doesn¿t feel the need to make an assertion at all, responding to the opposition with a facile yet grandiose ¿Puke,¿ a deliberately ironic ¿Yeah¿ or a pithy and useless ¿Terrifying¿, as though she has made her case. And despite hackneyed attempts every now and again to mention other marginalized groups, the truth is that this book overwhelmingly reflects the viewpoint of its white, middle class, (primarily, if not entirely) heterosexual, entitled, American, liberal feminist writer. Valenti doesn¿t give her readers credit that they can do the thing she most wants them to do: think, analyze, and be critical. This is apparent in the fallacious style by which she presents her perspectives. My personal favorite ¿ taken straight from the right wing, talk radio instruction manual ¿ is when Valenti uses the ¿straw man,¿ a common misleading bait-and-switch tactic, to ¿prove¿ her point (e.g., contending that anti-abortion advocates simply hate sex). A close second is when she uses the most extreme cases as though they weren¿t the exception to the rule (e.g., making the case for all women to have access to Emergency Contraception because rape victims should have access to it). Perhaps Valenti believes that young women won¿t be moved unless they¿re completely scared to death. Fear is a powerful motivator, but it belittles the audience in the process. Oh, and did I mention that she uses the book as a forum to talk public trash about petty tiffs she¿s had with other bloggers? If fear doesn¿t sell you on feminism, apparently Valenti believes taking her side in some inane, personal dispute will. Full Frontal Feminism is written in sound bytes, each chapter being comprised of smaller (usually) page-long explanations of a given issue: sex education vs. abstinence only, virginity pledges, expensive weddings, unattainable beauty standards, and other typical feminist fare. Apparently, the television has taken its toll (or so Valenti thinks) on the public because there is no sense of organization or logic to the structure of the book. And solutions? Those must have been left for someone else to tackle because you won¿t find them here, at least not outside of the standard volunteer, give money, and vote. Now I know I¿ve pretty much run this book into the ground, but I do want to say that I get what Valenti is trying to do here. And it¿s a really smart idea. She wants to reach out to young women who don¿t yet identify as feminists and let them know that it¿s okay, cool even, to be down with the F-word. She wants to tell them that they already believe in feminist ideals and h

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 3, 2007

    A fantastic primer for young women!

    Full Frontal Feminism provides a fantastic and accessible primer on current feminist issues. Even if you don't agree with Jessica Valenti's politics, this book will give you things to think about. Valenti doesn't talk down to her readers, and doesn't draw conclusions for them. Very thought-provoking for anyone who identifies as a feminist, thinks they might be a feminist, or wonders what it means to be a feminist.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 30, 2007

    Honest, Refreshing and Real

    I wish I had been given this book at 13 in order to begin reversing a fear and shame-inducing Catholic education. Full Frontal Feminism is a candid and personal look at what feminism means to the author, as well as how it's relevant and necessary for all young women. Jessica Valenti writes in a conversational, non-condescending and clear way about WHY and HOW feminism gives young women the analytical tools to reclaim their bodies and their communities. Yes, Jessica isn't afraid to bring up the scarier aspects of being female -- harassment, assault, anti-choice politicians -- but as shreds the patriarchy she is promoting feminism as a vibrant movement and desirable ideology for young women. Kick ass.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 30, 2007

    Fabulously original ! An excellent read.

    I got my copy a few days ago and couldn't put it down. It's smart, sassy and shockingly candid. Written in a way that makes you feel as though a friend is speaking directly to you, the book covers a bunch of topics like pop culture, health, reproductive rights, violence, education, relationships, etc. and is really informative but not overly technical. From start to finish, Full Frontal Feminism, is the book I wish I had had growing up. So far, I¿ve bought 4 copies because every time I showed it to someone I didn¿t have the heart to take it back! Read this book, you won¿t be disappointed.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 20, 2009

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    Posted October 31, 2008

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 13, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 25, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 29, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

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