The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
zoes_human's review against another edition
5.0
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a group of feminists frustrated by the sexism inherent in the health system that came between women and a true understanding of their bodies gathered to create a the first edition of Our Bodies, Ourselves, a feminist and collective pamphlet addressing those issues they considered essential to women seizing control of their health and lives. Over the decades that have passed since then, it not only expanded into a book but newer and more inclusive editions were produced as the Boston Women's Health Book Collective grew to expand their understanding of how race, class, sexuality, and the nonbinary nature of gender intersected with concepts of women's health. The movement has since been expanded and adapted into many cultures and continues to empower women and others throughout the world to this day.
This book should certainly be issued to every cisgender woman around the age of 12. Many nonbinary youth and trans youth may find helpful information in it, though it is very much a woman-centric work that leans towards the needs and experiences of cisgender women. Though it does speak on the topic of transgender people, those individuals may find the work Trans Bodies, Trans Selves* to be of far greater use. Any person of any gender may find reading this to be helpful in developing a greater understanding of the lives and experiences of women. My husband found it fascinating though he noted that it felt a bit like eavesdropping. The Collective has also produced single-topic books that delve far more deeply into specific experiences: Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause, Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth, Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: A Book For Teens on Sex and Relationships, and The New Ourselves, Growing Older: Women Aging with Knowledge and Power.**
Not necessarily meant to be read straight through as I did, this is a reference book that can be useful in understanding your current experiences, contextualizing them, locating resources to work on or through them, and maximizing those resources. I also found that it grew my understanding of the experiences of women with lives somewhat different than mine.
As a final note, I'd like to give a huge virtual hug and thank you to my beloved friend Brian who brought my attention back to this book, which I had heard of but not understood as being what it is. I'd also like to thank his mom for being open and honest with her son about her experiences and just generally raising one of the best humans I've ever known.
*I have not read this work nor am I trans, so, while I am unqualified to comment on its quality, I feel I would be remiss not to acknowledge it.
**I also have not read these works yet, but again, they seem worth noting.
This book should certainly be issued to every cisgender woman around the age of 12. Many nonbinary youth and trans youth may find helpful information in it, though it is very much a woman-centric work that leans towards the needs and experiences of cisgender women. Though it does speak on the topic of transgender people, those individuals may find the work Trans Bodies, Trans Selves* to be of far greater use. Any person of any gender may find reading this to be helpful in developing a greater understanding of the lives and experiences of women. My husband found it fascinating though he noted that it felt a bit like eavesdropping. The Collective has also produced single-topic books that delve far more deeply into specific experiences: Our Bodies, Ourselves: Menopause, Our Bodies, Ourselves: Pregnancy and Birth, Changing Bodies, Changing Lives: A Book For Teens on Sex and Relationships, and The New Ourselves, Growing Older: Women Aging with Knowledge and Power.**
Not necessarily meant to be read straight through as I did, this is a reference book that can be useful in understanding your current experiences, contextualizing them, locating resources to work on or through them, and maximizing those resources. I also found that it grew my understanding of the experiences of women with lives somewhat different than mine.
As a final note, I'd like to give a huge virtual hug and thank you to my beloved friend Brian who brought my attention back to this book, which I had heard of but not understood as being what it is. I'd also like to thank his mom for being open and honest with her son about her experiences and just generally raising one of the best humans I've ever known.
*I have not read this work nor am I trans, so, while I am unqualified to comment on its quality, I feel I would be remiss not to acknowledge it.
**I also have not read these works yet, but again, they seem worth noting.
anhtran221's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a good reference book to learn about female anatomy and the various issues women may face throughout our lives. It encourages women to pay attention to our bodies and give ourselves more agency in life. There were a lot of resources and interesting perspectives of women from all walks of life. However, since its 2011 publication, some of the references are not available anymore and most of the online resources are long longer there.
libkatem's review against another edition
3.0
I read the relevant parts of this, not the whole thing.
But what a fantastic and refreshing look at women's health! It was written by women and for women.
But what a fantastic and refreshing look at women's health! It was written by women and for women.
hlevine's review against another edition
4.0
Thorough and inclusive. Presents information with an openness to all options and without judgments.
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