Feminism: A Brief Introduction to the Ideas, Debates, and Politics of the Movement - Softcover

Deborah Cameron is the Rupert Murdoch Professor of Language and Communication at the University of Oxford, where she is also a fellow of Worcester College. She is the author or editor of several books, including Verbal Hygiene, The Feminist Critique of Language, The Language and Sexuality Reader, The Teacher’s Guide to Grammar, and The Myth of Mars and Venus. She has a popular blog on feminist linguistics, Language: A Feminist Guide.
 

“An energetic primer on women’s rights, both past and present. Cameron breaks key topics down in a clear and comprehensible way, without ever seeming patronizing.” (Diva)

“Enlightening, generous, and lucid, Cameron’s take on feminism is an excellent basic introduction that can also serve as a solid refresher course for those well-versed in feminist histories, concepts, and conflicts. Cameron weaves together political, philosophical, social, and activist accounts to craft an impressively succinct and accessible history of what feminism is and why it matters. Pointing to some of the stickiest issues within feminism that are virtually always excluded from mainstream accounts—such as the range of feminist views on work, reproduction, religious liberties, gender identity, and the centrality of rights—Cameron toggles between perspectives in a way that clarifies rather than confounds.” (Rebecca M. Jordan-Young, Barnard College)

“Cameron has written a brilliant guide to contemporary feminism—its radical vision of justice, its complexities, and the resistance it provokes. Though aware of such opposition, in past and present, Feminism radiates a welcome optimism. The stubborn, beautiful belief that women are people is not going to go away. Accessible and subtle, Feminism deserves a wide and appreciative audience.” (Catharine R. Stimpson, New York University)

"Neither a historical account of feminism nor an attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of the various strands of feminist thought. Rather, it focuses on a number of central themes—domination, rights, work, femininity, sex and culture—around which feminist thought and mobilization have revolved and about which feminists continue to debate and disagree. Cameron skillfully presents the divergent ways that feminist thought and the women’s movement have approached these issues." (Times Higher Education)