Collecting Rare Books and First Editions: Essential Texts in Feminist Theory & Feminist Thought

A collecting tip for all who are interested in the history of society and culture: Marie C. Hansen has published a list of the most important works on feminist theory and feminist thought. From Mary Wollstonecraft to Virginia Woolf to Simone Beauvoir to "Mad Man". Some snippets:

Mary Wollstonecraft: A Vindication of the Rights of Women

"An 18th century work that argues for the education of women for the betterment of society. It was one of the first works to view men and women as equal and deserving of the same fundamental rights."

Virginia Woolf:A Room of One's Own

"A statement on women and the creation of creative written works. Equates artistic creation with financial freedom."

Simone de Beauvoir: The Second Sex

"Published in 1949, this was one of the first works to separate gender from sex, recognizing that gender is a learned trait without biological basis. It was also the first to describe the male-gender as the standard from which women deviates, causing the creation 'The Other'."

Betty Friedan: The Feminine Mystique

"Published in 1963, this book was a catalyst to the second-wave feminist movement by bringing to light the deep lack of fulfillment pervasive in Untied States middle-class housewives. The popularity of the book has recently been rekindled because of the television show 'Mad Men'."

Read the whole article:

>>> Essential Texts in Feminist Theory & Feminist Thought, by Marie C. Hansen (The New York Public Library Blog, March 6, 2011)