Feminism: The Essential Historical Writings

Schneir's collection of various (proto)feminist writings is essential to understand the more familiar feminist "movement," the second wave of the 60s and 70s. Feminism did not emerge out of vacuum in the sixties; rather, it has a history of courageous women (and men) struggling for the most basic rights we take for granted today. Although the excerpts are not long, and I recommend reading the documents in full, this is an excellent introductory volume. You can read through it or skip around, but either way you come away with a knowledge and appreciation for the brave souls who came before. Check out Schneir's second volume, which deals the Second Wave, from de Beauvoir to Anita Hill.

I was quite surprised by the reality of the book. It hit me hard. I then realized that women were desperately oppressed in earlier days. I thought we had it bad now... Oh boy was I wrong. I will pass this on to my daughter-if I ever decide to have one... :)