Revenge of the Women's Studies Professor

As a humanities graduate student myself interested in similar topics, I could not put this book down. While this book is mostly memoir, it also offers eye-opening glimpses of the struggles and triumphs of a Women's History Professor as she drives a U-Haul from California to Cambridge, confronts misogyny from students in office hours, and is constantly questioned "Why should we study 'Women's History'?". While this book will be especially insightful (and perhaps familiar) for those involved in Academia, it is also great for anyone who thinks Women's Studies is composed mainly of "male-bashing" "feminazi" "dykes". Anyone who reads this book (and please read it before offering criticism), will see that Women's History is not a special interest, but a legitimate and understudied subject. Particularly entertaining are the many anecdotes and quotes pulled directly from Morris' former students who represent all viewpoints. Not only do we hear of students who receive ridicule from other Frat Brothers for taking a Women's Studies course, but also students who do not fight Dr. Morris on the content of the course, but on receiving a A-. I think that Morris' memoir is especially valuable as a way to view the Women's Movement in the 80s through 00s within Academia. Not only does she map out how Women's Studies Professors were first spawned, but also points out flaws still within Academia (for instance, the lack of funding for Women's Studies Departments and the harsh reality that many qualified scholars are relegated to Adjunct Positions). A great read for anyone with an interest in Academia, Women and Gender Studies or memoirs.