The World Split Open: How the Modern Women's Movement Changed America, Revised Edition

This is a well-written overview of the feminist movement of the late 60s/early 70s. The author lays out the historical context and describes the major issues, including economic and political opportunity, child care, abortion, sexual liberation, health and medicine, etc., and actors, including those representing middle-class white women, women of color, lesbians, and the socially disadvantaged. She also doesn't shy away from the rifts within the movement(s) and between women themselves. Describing such a combination of issues and actors could make for a real muddle in the hands of a less trained, disciplined, and capable author. But Ms. Rosen manages the balancing act, and maintains order in her description of this multi-headed hydra. The writing style is scholarly but accessible, open to anyone with the interest to be looking for such a work in the first place. Very nicely done.

One complaint; long!That is it, the rest is all glowing praise.Ruth Rosen tells a detailed and fascinating narrative of a struggle that still continues.Despite her personal involvement (some parts of the narrative are in 1st person) Ms. Rosen is wonderfully honest.The feminist movement (pick a label) is filled with uplifting and inspirational tales of victory through cohesion in the face of overwhelming odds, but it is also the story of bitter internal divisions.Ruth's book tells an architypal tale of the human condition condensed into a manageable timeframe.This is a book which can teach the brothers to learn from their sisters and help to lead us all into a brighter future of peace and love.

Not a bad overview but I expected more. I guess either I have studied all there is to study in this area or simply this book is an overview. I am a literature major in my senior year. So it is a bit surprising that I didn't learn anything from this book. This is written decently and organized nicely. I was easily able to find some quotes to use for my midterm but still shocked that I didn't gain anything except a few quotes.

Gives a good, detailed glimpse into second wave feminism, exposing its origins, its challenges, its contradictions, the good it has done.

I was doing some research on the Women's Movement and I came across this read. It was informative and extremely helpful. I gained a better understanding of how women felt and how they worked to change the course of history.

Requirement for class but a good read so far

An essential work for anyone studying or interested in the Women's Movement of the 1960s.

The book is well written and gives a great narrative, but the store page says that real page numbers are visible and align with a printed version's page numbers. For academic work, the kindle edition is useless. The author's work is well done, though.

Brauchte es für meine Facharbeit und es hat mir wirklich sehr geholfen. Super Fachlektüre zu dem Thema "Die Rolle der Frau in der Gesellschaft" auf Englisch.