Scan barcode
masmadalena's review against another edition
4.0
From Breanne Fahs’ introduction:
As expected, there were some sections I found more relevant and interesting (Queer/Trans; Anticapitalist/Anarchist; Indigenous/Women of Color; Sex/Body) than others (particularly the Angry/Violent and Hacker/Cyborg sections). There were texts that made me cry, texts that made me laugh, texts that made me proud, texts that made my eyes role, texts that made me angry (at the world) and texts that made me angry (at the text). I could’ve gone without some of the terfy ideas from a couple of manifestos, but the author’s introduction made it easier to accept that they were included. Although imperfect, I think this is, all in all, a valuable collection that I will definitely revisit.
Burn it Down! approaches its content as sites of eruption, where knowledge is not assembled as a collection of facts but as a diverse set of affects, histories, styles, and ideologies that circulate through complex networks of oppression and dissent. These manifestos represent the patterns and paradoxes that have emerged - and continue to emerge - in the wake of radical social upheavals. Some of these texts will feel especially relevant and alive in this cultural moment, while others might feel out of place or even dated. Some will feel fresh while others won’t; some speak directly to you while others invite you to consider new modes of feminist solidarity you had not previously considered. Some you might hate. The collection is designed to present bodies of work - individually and together - to think about radical social thought and its expression. It should, in one way or another, hit a nerve.”
As expected, there were some sections I found more relevant and interesting (Queer/Trans; Anticapitalist/Anarchist; Indigenous/Women of Color; Sex/Body) than others (particularly the Angry/Violent and Hacker/Cyborg sections). There were texts that made me cry, texts that made me laugh, texts that made me proud, texts that made my eyes role, texts that made me angry (at the world) and texts that made me angry (at the text). I could’ve gone without some of the terfy ideas from a couple of manifestos, but the author’s introduction made it easier to accept that they were included. Although imperfect, I think this is, all in all, a valuable collection that I will definitely revisit.
mads_jpg's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
Fantastic compilation of different manifestos, varied enough that you're unlikely to agree with everything discussed in here. Only issue was that a couple manifestos didn't seem to be about feminism at all?
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Sexual harassment
ladytabletop's review against another edition
2.0
Some of the individual manifestos/essays/poems were good, but the compilation of the book did not feel well put together, and I question the editor's decision to include some TERFs as prime feminist writers. I also was disappointed that plain text was not included alongside images of some of the manifestos, as I had a lot of difficulty reading the images.
Probably doesn't help that I have recently read a better compilation of feminist essays.
Probably doesn't help that I have recently read a better compilation of feminist essays.
kaaatieball's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
sophiem_ng's review against another edition
4.0
A good, rather comprehensive collection, with some absolute gems inside, and overall very well edited. The introduction, on manifestos and feminist manifestos was very informative, and I liked the editing in section rather than chronologically. It was really interesting to read through as obviously there was a lot that didn’t align with my perspectives or frames of thought, therefore reflecting the variety of feminisms. There were only a few that I thought could have been skipped like Grimes’s I Don’t Want to Compromise My Morals in Order to Make a Living, v fun bc of course Grimes is married to Elon Musk, but overall the selection was great!
Special mentions to the hacker manifesto by mckenzie wark which blew my mind, the scum manifesto by solanas which deserves to be read in its entirety, the inclusion of the undercommons by moten and harney, the why cheap art? manifesto by bread and puppet theatre, and refugia: a manifesto for becoming autonomous zones by subrosa. I’m probably forgetting some, but I’ll get back to them!
Special mentions to the hacker manifesto by mckenzie wark which blew my mind, the scum manifesto by solanas which deserves to be read in its entirety, the inclusion of the undercommons by moten and harney, the why cheap art? manifesto by bread and puppet theatre, and refugia: a manifesto for becoming autonomous zones by subrosa. I’m probably forgetting some, but I’ll get back to them!
bookishjenx's review against another edition
5.0
Five months later here we are.
Life-changing. Messy. Angry. Lovely. Tear-jerking. Frustrating. Important. Inspirational. Important. Eye-opening. Imperfect. Rage-inducing. Vital.
Life-changing. Messy. Angry. Lovely. Tear-jerking. Frustrating. Important. Inspirational. Important. Eye-opening. Imperfect. Rage-inducing. Vital.
sageysage's review against another edition
4.0
great collection of manifestos, was pleasantly surprised at the intersectionality, fantastic writing on queer rebellion
corrin218's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A lot of fun to read! And very well organized!!
writerrhiannon's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have a minor in Women's Studies from the University of Georgia (almost a dual English/Women's Studies degree) so when I first saw this book my eyes lit up. I loved learning about feminist theories and reading works by feminist authors but in all of my studies and personal reading I've never seen a collection of feminist manifestos before this.
Author Breanne Fahs describes a feminist manifesto as "impolite by nature, refusing the very qualities--politeness and deference in particular--that women are socialized to cultivate in themselves; it is frankly impatient, unmotherly, irritated, revolutionary, nasty, ambitious, bossy, and at times violent--all of which constitute traditionally 'unfeminine' qualities." I marked up this collection (yes, *gasp* I write in my books) just like I used to do in college with underlining, marginalia, and dreamy questions to myself. Organized into 8 themes (Queer/Trans, Anticapitalist/Anarchist, Angry/Violent, Indigenous/Women of Color, Sex/Body, Hacker/Cyborg, Trashy/Punk, and Witchy/Bitchy, this book is easy to read straight through or to skip around at your will.
I think this book is a must-read (and if possible own for the sake of reference) for everyone. It is absolutely exploding with reflections, challenges, and suggestions to open your mind and keep you thinking.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
I have a minor in Women's Studies from the University of Georgia (almost a dual English/Women's Studies degree) so when I first saw this book my eyes lit up. I loved learning about feminist theories and reading works by feminist authors but in all of my studies and personal reading I've never seen a collection of feminist manifestos before this.
Author Breanne Fahs describes a feminist manifesto as "impolite by nature, refusing the very qualities--politeness and deference in particular--that women are socialized to cultivate in themselves; it is frankly impatient, unmotherly, irritated, revolutionary, nasty, ambitious, bossy, and at times violent--all of which constitute traditionally 'unfeminine' qualities." I marked up this collection (yes, *gasp* I write in my books) just like I used to do in college with underlining, marginalia, and dreamy questions to myself. Organized into 8 themes (Queer/Trans, Anticapitalist/Anarchist, Angry/Violent, Indigenous/Women of Color, Sex/Body, Hacker/Cyborg, Trashy/Punk, and Witchy/Bitchy, this book is easy to read straight through or to skip around at your will.
I think this book is a must-read (and if possible own for the sake of reference) for everyone. It is absolutely exploding with reflections, challenges, and suggestions to open your mind and keep you thinking.
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest