Product Description

Collected writings of women freethinkers of the 19th and 20th centuries.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #753256 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 680 pages

Review
". . . a valuable resource for both feminists and atheists and it provides interesting reading for people without a cause who would just like to learn more about some of American history's most interesting citizens." -- Rev. William R. Wineke, Wisconsin State Journal, April 13, 1997

"A spirited and inspiring book. . . . the book made me think--hard--about why I support an institution that has, historically, such an atrocious record of abuses against women. . . . In sparkling displays of logic, freethinking women snip patriarchal theology into ribbons. . . . The lives of these women are absolutely exhilarating, and Gaylor's pungent biographical sketches are a delight to read. . . . an unusually accessible volume." -- Joan Hedrick, The Women's Review of Books, November 1997

"A superb collection of original writings . . . tells the story of how female heretics, agnostics, and atheists influenced the women's movement. It is particularly valuable to history buffs and women activists. The writings are provocative, timely, and give the eloquent views of women--past and present--who were social reformers as well as revolutionaries." -- Annette Van Howe, The Humanist, July/August 1997

"This anthology of 51 feminists, from Mary Wollstonecraft to Katha Pollitt and Barbara Ehrenreich, shows how the leaders of the women's-liberation movement have long understood the crucial importance of breaking with the Bible. . . . Gaylor's selections of original writings are well chosen, and her introduction is convincingly argued. I found her brief biographical sketches fascinating." -- Matthew Rothschild, The Progressive, January 1998

"This anthology, billed as the first of its kind, certainly provides food for thought." -- Judyth Rigler, San Antonio Express News, March 23, 1997

From the Publisher
The first anthology of its kind.

From the Author
Women Without Superstition is intended in part to acquaint feminists with the freethinking heritage of the women's rights movement, and the freethought ideals that so often motivated and underpinned the convictions of many feminist foremothers. Similarly, the work of women freethinkers to liberate minds and governments from religious dogma has all too often been ignored or relegated to footnotes by historians of freethought. This collection reclaims the rightful place of women freethinkers."

Customer Reviews

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Great reference on development of femin
"Women Without Superstition" is a compilation of short biographies with sample writings of some of the more well known mostly North American and English freethinking women. Beginning with Mary Wollstonecraft, and ending with Taslima Narsin, The editor A. L Gaylor does an admirable job connecting a large cast of women together including Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Voltairine de Cleyre, Margaret Sanger, and Dora Russell and painting a vivid picture of the incredible struggle they endured simply trying to enfranchise women especially during the first two centuries of American independence. The fact that their struggle incorporated the rational position against slavery helps validates their underlying premises. Presented are beautiful thinkers mostly struggling alone. An understandable bias toward feminism is notable, perhaps explainable due to the repressive forces continually confronting these women freethinkers. These are stories about women and their struggle to promote women rights. Women working with women. A slight bias underlines some of the biographies written by the editor. The most glaring instance occurs in the biography of Margaret Sanger. Gaylor's description of her father as "better at stirring up controversy than providing for his family" cast her father in less than an admirable light and doesn't coincide with Sanger's remembrances. He had a difficult life offering his position to the community as well as the women freethinkers. The sub-title, "No Gods, No Masters", attributable to M. Sanger, accurately conveys the critical stance most of these women offer of religions, mostly judaeo-christianity. Repetition of critiques of biblical errancy, brutality, irrationality and chauvinism abound. The excellent exposition and brilliant articulation of their position make these women persons who should be emulated. Most of them possess powerful intellects and strong oratorical skills; necessary equipment to confront the tidal waves of irrationality assaulting them. The general analysis that religion represses women's rights and non-theistic positions is convincingly argued. The last women presented, Taslima Nasrin, writes of Islamic fundamentalism from an insider's position. Like Rushdie, simply for expressing her thoughts, Nasrin must hide for her life. For this reader, her analysis of Islamic Fundamentalism was especially interesting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Great reference on development of feminist thought. Inspirational biographies. Flip Webster psmith@sol.racsa.co.cr

Why didn't I study this stuff in school
I wish I had been given the chance to study this stuff in school. I spent a long time struggling with these ideas. If only I had access to this book at an earlier age. Great book, wonderful works by highly intelligent authors. Helped me to cast off my old doubts.

women without superstition
A great collection of writing from woman of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Any woman who is enjoying todays freedom (still a way to go) should read this book and appreciate the efforts of these writers and to the ridicule, insults, threats etc. they weathered. As a man, I'm thankful to them.