The real story of the american family stephanie coontz. In order to understand how friedans bestseller affected the world war ii generation of women in america, coontz history, family studiesevergreen state coll marriage, a history, 2006, etc. Challenging both conservative and liberal myths about betty friedans bestselling book, the feminine mystique, historian stephanie coontz reexamines the dawn of the 1960s when the sexual revolution had barely begun and brilliantly illuminates how a. Her book is full of stories of desperate, suffering. A strange stirring gives voice to women whose lives were transformed by friedans book, but most compellingly, it sets the historical record straight as far as its impact on families. In the 1950s, a cartoon appeared in this newspapers pepper. Nearly half a century later, many women still recall where they were when they first read it. In a strange stirring, prominent historian of women and marriage stephanie coontz strips away the myths, examining what the feminine mystique actually said. Library journal coontz recaptures the impact of betty friedans the feminine mystique when it was published in 1963. But stephanie coontzs a strange stirring takes the novel approach of. In 1963, betty friedan unleashed a storm of controversy with her bestselling book, the feminine mystique. Jan 04, 2011 in a strange stirring, historian stephanie coontz examines the dawn of the 1960s, when the sexual revolution had barely begun, newspapers advertised for perky, attractive gal typists, but married women were told to stay home, and husbands controlled almost every aspect of family life.
The amazing journey of american women from 1960 to the present, analyze changes in womens role in society over the last 50 years. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s stephanie coontz in 1963, betty friedan unleashed a storm of controversy with her bestselling book, the feminine mystique. Stephanie coontz is an author, teaches history and family studies at the evergreen state college in olympia, wa, and is director of research and. Coontz is clearly a fan of the book, and she quotes many early readers. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s basicbooks. But stephanie coontz s a strange stirring takes the novel approach of presenting the history of the women whose experiences the feminine mystique recounted, alongside a biography of the book that pulled the trigger on history xv. She corrects some of the strategic fictions of friedans early 60s persona, showing that friedan was not just another unhappy housewife who. In a strange stirring, historian stephanie coontz examines the dawn of the 1960s, when the sexual revolution had barely begun, newspapers advertised for perky, attractive gal typists, but married women were told to stay home, and husbands controlled almost every aspect of family life. For a womens history nerd like me, this book was awesome. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s.
The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s, by stephanie coontz. Stephanie coontz teaches history and family studies at the evergreen state college in olympia, washington and is director of research and public education for the council on contemporary families, which she chaired from 200104. Basic books, new york, 2011, 248 pages, 25,95 dollars. A strange stirring by stephanie coontz, 2010, basic books edition, in english a strange stirring 2010 edition open library. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s by stephanie coontz. In a strange stirring, historian stephanie coontz examines the dawn of the. Challenging both conservative and liberal myths about betty friedans bestselling book, the feminine mystique, historian stephanie coontz reexamines the dawn of the 1960s when the sexual revolution had barely begun and brilliantly illuminates how a generation of women came to realize that their dissatisfaction with domestic life didnt reflect their personal weakness but rather social and political injustice. Stephanie coontz has made a significant contribution to our understanding of the most transformative movement of our lifetimes. Stephanie coontz audio books, best sellers, author bio. Stephanie coontz, history and family studies professor at the evergreen state college, talked about her book, a strange stirring. Stirring up the feminine mystique 47 years later npr. In a strange stirring, historian stephanie coontz examines the dawn of the 1960s, in 1963, betty friedan unleashed a storm of controversy with her bestselling book, the feminine mystique.
A strange stirring npr coverage of a strange stirring. Stephanie coontz teaches family studies at the evergreen state college in olympia, washington, and cochairs the council on contemporary families. I will keep a strange stirring in the forefront of my bookshelf forever. Violence, abuse, poverty, ignorance, alcoholism, dependence on government support. Nearly half a century later, many women still recall where they were and what they were doing when they first read the book. Open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. Social historian stephanie coontzs new book, a strange stirring, is a biography not of betty friedan the author, but of the book she wrote, and coontz doesnt fawn over either one. Stephanie coontz suggests in this analysis of the book and its times that if the impact of the feminine mystique was exaggerated by friedan and. Women wrote to her by the hundreds to say that the book had transformed, even saved, their lives. A strange stirring by coontz, stephanie author a strange stirring. But coontz, author of a strange stirring, also critiques many aspects of friedans pioneering book, including its omission of minority women.
Stephanie coontz, history and family studies professor at the evergreen state college, talks about her book, a strange stirring. A strange stirring audiobook stephanie coontz audible. Stephanie coontz books list of books by author stephanie. Stephanie coontz is an awardwinning social historian, the director of research and public education at the council for contemporary families and teaches history and family studies at the evergreen college in olympia, washington. Coontz recounts the catalytic effect that the feminine mystique had on a great many women. A strange stirring in 1963, betty friedan unleashed a storm of controversy with her bestselling book, the feminine mystique. Available from basic books, a member of the perseus books group. Stephanie coontz books list of books by author stephanie coontz.
The way we really are coming to terms with americas changing families 1998. But stephanie coontzs a strange stirring takes the novel approach of presenting the history of the women whose experiences the feminine mystique recounted, alongside a biography of the book that pulled the trigger on history xv. Discover more authors youll love listening to on audible. In a strange stirring, prominent historian of women and marriage stephanie coontz strips away the myths, examining what the feminine mystique actually said, and which groups of women were affected. A strange stirring illuminates how a generation of women came to realize that their dissatisfaction didnt reflect their personal weakness but rather a social and political injustice.
Coontz takes us back to the early 1960s the age of mad men when the sexual revolution was barely nascent, middle class wives stayed at home, and. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960shardcover stephanie coontz on. Coontz illustrates that many women who read friedans book were reassured that the. Hundreds of women wrote to her to say that the book had transformed, even saved. The way we never were american families and the nostalgia trap. Coontz is director of research and public education at the council on contemporary families and teaches at the evergreen state college in olympia, washington. This is a must read for all who care about our countrys growth and maturity. In her new book, a strange stirring, she chronicles the untold story of some of americas greatest pioneers.
The way we never were american families and the nostalgia trap 2016. Although friedan claimed credit for initiating the modern feminist movement, coontz places the book more dispassionately in its historical context. A strange stirring by stephanie coontz basic books. Unlike historians daniel horowitz and joanne meyerowitz who focused on friedans leftist, union roots and her. The social historian stephanie coontz reevaluates the feminine mystique. A strange stirring by stephanie coontz overdrive rakuten.
A sharp revisiting of the generation that was floored by betty friedans the feminine mystique 1963, and how the book is still relevant today. Wall street journal social historian stephanie coontztakes a fresh look at the feminine mystique by examining its effect on the books original. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s 2011. A strange stirring goodreads meet your next favorite book.
Mar 28, 2011 a strange stirring is not by any means a takedown. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s basic books, 2014. A new book, published in 2011, and written by stephanie coontz, is called a strange stirring. Jan 01, 2011 a strange stirring gives voice to women whose lives were transformed by friedans book, but most compellingly, it sets the historical record straight as far as its impact on families. World heritage encyclopedia, the aggregation of the largest online encyclopedias available, and the most.
The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s, stephanie coontz has done just that. Hundreds of women wrote to her to say that the book had transformed, even saved, their lives. Coontz takes us back to the early 1960s the age of mad men when the sexual revolution was barely nascent, middle class wives stayed at home. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s basic. Coontz has appeared on national television and radio programs, including oprah, the today show, the colbert report and dozens of npr shows. In fact, friedans book was a long, dry and in contrast to the.
A strange stirring paperback the feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s. Two fascinating new womens history books, stephanie coontzs a strange stirring. Browse stephanie coontzs bestselling audiobooks and newest titles. In a strange stirring, historian stephanie coontz examines the dawn of the 1960s, when the sexual. Stephanie coontz project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. Placing the american family in its historical, cultural, economic, and philosophic context, coontz coed. Feb 19, 2011 stephanie coontz, history and family studies professor at the evergreen state college, talks about her book, a strange stirring. The feminine mystique and american women at the dawn of the 1960s, social historian stephanie coontz adds a new approach to the significant body of scholarship on friedans famous work.
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