Woman's Inhumanity to Woman

This is one of the most important books any woman can read. I think all women, especially young women, should be required to read this book.Phyllis Chesler shows amazing courage and insight. She writes about a subject no one wants to deal with- Women and their maltreatment of other women. This is something that all women must confront. It is a dirty little secret which needs to be dealt with in our time in order to erradicate this phenonmenon from future generations.I feel the most sexist and patriarchal attitude is that women are "too loving and too nice" to be inhuman. Women are not one dimensional cut-outs. We are complex beings with complex issues.To see women as either all good, or all bad is not helpful to women. We must see the how's and why's of women's inhumanity to other women, especially the mistreatment of daughters by mothers.This book is a treasure.

Phyllis Chesler has regaled us all with her latest book, and has indeed surpassed even the most demanding of expectations in exposing, analyzing, critiquing, explaining--and, in some ways, resolving--this oft-ignored but prevalent and difficult aspect of females and feminism. The introduction, a compelling and complete exposee in itself, is also the appetizing first course of a grand literary repast of epic and stunning temptations, each self-contained and satisfying, intensely scholarly yet written to reach a vast audience. From religion to myth to sexism to psychology, each chapter presents a perspective that we never even imagined to so influence women's relationships with other women. This wonderful new contribution to the literature of feminism, of psychology, of life, is a must-read for all women...and men.

Woman's Inhumanity to Woman is an important new addition to the feminist canon, analyzing underlying dynamics between women and exposing realities of what has and hasn't worked within feminism. The uncomfortable truths of the human condition with which Phyllis Chesler engages have too often been silenced and suppressed--subsumed beneath feminist rhetoric--leading to unnecessary antagonism and divisiveness that sabotages true solidarity and sisterhood. Through Chesler's dynamic diagnosis and powerful prescriptions, this book empowers readers to move forward in forging a movement that can authentically embody feminist ideals.Chesler wonderfully weaves in compelling examples from psychology and primatology, folklore and fairytales, literature and life in order to illuminate the points and principles she is making. She doesn't pull punches in revealing hard truths, but she doesn't end her analysis at critique--she furnishes concrete examples of how sisterhood functions at its finest, and provides proactive approaches to more ethical behavior, which will enhance women's ability to flourish independently and in relationship with one another.The clarity of Chesler's thinking and the resonance of her writing make Woman's Inhumanity to Woman a riveting read--and one that just might change the way you understand and engage with the world we live in.

In this brilliant book, Chesler shatters the myths of her own feminist movement. In fact it is only by illuminating the truth that she remains loyal to her principles. By using extensive research, Chesler is able to analyze the relationships between women and moves from class to class, youth to old age, and culture to culture. She is able to explain how women internalize patriarchy and use it against themselves and other women. Chesler also looks at the age-old relationships between mothers and daughters, and from sister to sister and explains the psychology behind it all. She also looks at women in the workplace, and generally how women have unrealistic expectations for one another, judge each other more harshly, and more easily respect male authority. Chesler also adds some advise as to how women can stop this cycle, and begin to respect each other and work together or at least compete fairly, rather than continue to use gossip and indirect aggression to, sometimes,literally kill one another. This book was especially interesting to read as a feminist man. It allowed me to understand what I never could before: How women defeat their own kind, and are occassionally just as bad as the men I know.

I am glad to be able to recommend a wonderful new book by the noted feminist psychologist and author, Phyllis Chesler. Chesler's new book, Woman's Inhumanity to Woman, is a brilliant exploration of the many ways in which women may interact badly with other women, be they mothers, daughters, sisters, friends, co-workers, employees, etc. Chesler explores and explodes the myth of sisterhood. She describes how women really treat each other and why they do so. However, Chesler does not merely describe reality. She also offers guidelines as to how women may improve their interrelationships, almost a "halakhic" (Jewish ethical path) which, if women follow will result in a kinder and better world for all. I recommend her book with a full heart, and hope that many people will read it, men included, for it is geared to tikkun olam. (The healing repair of the world).Rivka Haut, Co-author of Daughters of the King: Women and the Synagogue and Women of the Wall: Claiming Sacred Ground at Jerusalem's Holiest Site.