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For nearly 30 years, Madonna has been at the center of the media spotlight. She has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, launched her own record label, headlined an Oscar-award-winning film, authored bestselling books for both adults and children, inspired global street-fashion trends, and instigated international debates over a range of feminist issues from sexual fetish to adoption ethics. Masterfully harnessing her talent and power to navigate her ascent to stardom, she has become the very definition of iconic.
She has also been a constant companion. In Madonna and Me, more than forty women write about Madonna’s influence on their lives. No subject goes unexplored—from sex and money to fashion and identity, the stories are just as brazen, bold, and balls-to-the-wall as Madonna. They explore the evolution of her chameleonlike personas—material girl and “boy-toy” tartlet, kooky Kabbalist and savvy businesswoman, siren and mother—and her impact on culture as a groundbreaking feminist.
Of course, not all women worship at her altar, and likewise the essays in Madonna and Me are brutally honest, funny, engaging, and real. They delve into the hearts, souls, memories, and moments of contemporary women, celebrating the ways in which Madonna has inspired us and challenged us, pushing us to be bolder, edgier, braver versions of ourselves.
Foreword Jessica Volenti xi
Introduction Laura Barcella 1
Track 1 This Used to Be My Playground
Before Beyoncé, Tween Thongs, and Baby Tiaras Courtney E. Martin 9
Articles of Faith Shawna Kenney 14
Strike a Pose Kim Windyka 18
B-Sides Lesley Arfin 22
Bad Girls from Bay City Erin Trahan 26
Track 2 Like a Prayer
Madonna vs. the Virgin Mary Maria Gagliano 35
Are You There God? It's Me, Madonna Jamia Wilson 43
Our Lady of the Hot Pants Kristin McGonigle 49
The Black Madonna J. Victoria Sanders 55
Mad Mensch Wendy Shanker 61
Track 3 Burning Up
Madonna is Down with the Swirl Tamara Lynch 75
Madonna Speaks Sexual Truth to Power Gloria Feldt 81
My Pocket Madonna ? Laura Barcella 87
Safe Harbor Stacey May Fowles 94
And I Feel Laura M. André 103
Track 4 Keep it Together
In the Name of a Mother Kelly Keenan Trumpbour 111
Mother Madonna Sarah Sweeney 119
Marrying Madonna Christine Bachman 128
Into the Wilderness Soniah Kamal 134
Ciccone Youth Jen Hazen 145
Track 5 Lucky Star
Our Lady of Perpetual Motion Cintra Wilson 153
Desperately Seeking Stardom Sarah Stodola 162
Madonna is Boring and Lazy Colleen Kane 168
Touched for the Very First Time Rebecca Traister 173
Immaterial Girl Marisela Huerta 181
"Vogue:" Madonna's Creative Zenith Amanda Marcotte 186
Count Madonnicula Lisa Crystal Carver 192
Track 6 Fighting Spirit
Fuck You, Seattle Bee Lavender 199
Madonna in My Corner Ada Scott 210
Borderline: Madonna's Rebel Stance Maria Raha 216
My Movie and Madonna Caroline Leavitt 223
In Costume Dana Rossi 227
Burning Up Wendy Nelson Tokunaga 233
Bonus Track: Now I'm Following You
Madonna and Me Susan Shapiro 239
Madonna, Myself Mary K. Fons 243
Where's That Girl? Jamie Beckman 249
Conversations I Will Never Have with Madonna Kate Harding 253
A Borderline History of My Relationship with Madonna Erin Bradley 259
Justify My Love Emily Nussbaum 268
Anonymous
Posted March 7, 2012
I have always been a Madonna fan, though I have not always agreed with her decisions. I really enjoyed this book - its a fitting tribute to a woman who has forever changed culture, defined movements, shaped our idea of a pop star, and inspired entire generations of young women. I really enjoyed Cintra Wilson's foreword, which talks about the hard work and labor that goes into BEING Madonna - really enlightening.
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Posted April 1, 2012
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Overview
For nearly 30 years, Madonna has been at the center of the media spotlight. She has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, launched her own record label, headlined an Oscar-award-winning film, authored bestselling books for both adults and children, inspired global street-fashion trends, and instigated international debates over a range of feminist issues from sexual fetish to adoption ethics. Masterfully harnessing her talent and power to navigate her ascent to stardom, ...