In 'Good and Mad', Rebecca Traister explores the powerful role of women's anger throughout history and its transformative potential in the fight for justice. She delves into the societal expectations that have long suppressed this emotion, revealing how anger can inspire collective action and political change. Through compelling narratives and insightful analysis, Traister connects historical and contemporary issues, showing that women's fury is both justified and necessary. As she weaves together personal stories with broader cultural critiques, she questions the biases surrounding female emotions. Prepare to rethink anger not as a weakness, but as a catalyst for empowerment and social progress.
By Rebecca Traister
Published: 2019
"Anger is not just an emotion; it's a powerful tool for change. When women embrace their fury, they can reshape the world."
Journalist Rebecca Traister’s New York Times bestselling exploration of the transformative power of female anger and its ability to transcend into a political movement is “a hopeful, maddening compendium of righteous feminine anger, and the good it can do when wielded efficiently—and collectively” (Vanity Fair). Long before Pantsuit Nation, before the Women’s March, and before the #MeToo movement, women’s anger was not only politically catalytic—but politically problematic. The story of female fury and its cultural significance demonstrates its crucial role in women’s slow rise to political power in America, as well as the ways that anger is received when it comes from women as opposed to when it comes from men. “Urgent, enlightened…realistic and compelling…Traister eloquently highlights the challenge of blaming not just forces and systems, but individuals” (The Washington Post). In Good and Mad, Traister tracks the history of female anger as political fuel—from suffragettes marching on the White House to office workers vacating their buildings after Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court. Traister explores women’s anger at both men and other women; anger between ideological allies and foes; the varied ways anger is received based on who’s expressing it; and the way women’s collective fury has become transformative political fuel. She deconstructs society’s (and the media’s) condemnation of female emotion (especially rage) and the impact of their resulting repercussions. Highlighting a double standard perpetuated against women by all sexes, and its disastrous, stultifying effect, Good and Mad is “perfectly timed and inspiring” (People, Book of the Week). This “admirably rousing narrative” (The Atlantic) offers a glimpse into the galvanizing force of women’s collective anger, which, when harnessed, can change history.
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“Anger is not just an emotion; it's a powerful tool for change. When women embrace their fury, they can reshape the world.”
Good and Mad
By Rebecca Traister
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Rebecca Traister is an acclaimed American author and journalist known for her insightful commentary on women's issues and contemporary feminism. She is the bestselling author of several notable works, including 'All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation,' which explores the social and political power of single women, and 'Good and Mad: The Revolutionary Power of Women's Anger,' a timely examination of the role of women's anger in transformative movements. Traister's writing is characterized by a sharp wit, cultural analysis, and a passionate advocacy for women's rights. Her work has appeared in various prestigious publications, including The New York Times, The New Republic, and Elle, establishing her as a prominent voice in the discourse surrounding gender and politics.
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