Stuff Mom Never Told You: The Feminist Past, Present, and Future

by Anney Reese, Samantha McVey

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

The first book from the hugely popular podcast, this is an exacting round-up of what feminism really means and where it intersects with so many other fights for human rights.

The concept of feminism has evolved and changed so much over the last few decades that it can be confusing for people to keep up. Luckily, Anney Reese and Samantha McVey break it all down every week on their popular iHeart podcast, Stuff Mom Never Told You.

In this book—their first—they explore the history, strategy, and emotion that went into several milestones and emergent issues of the recent feminist movement. Starting with Billie Jean King’s famous “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match, they also talk about the Civil Rights movement and the women who helped shape it; the disturbing prevalence of major backlogs in rape kit testing; how LGBTQ rights and women’s right intersect; and how women have been critical to the advancement of disability rights, and more.

Written with a sharp tongue, an infectious curiosity, and a deeply empathetic voice, Reese and McVey show the true breadth of what feminism can stand for, what it can achieve, and whom it can help lift up.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250268600
Publisher:	Flatiron Books
Publication date:	08/29/2023
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	347,402
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Anney Reese is the cohost of iHeart Media's hit podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You. She lives in Atlanta.

Samantha McVey is the cohost of iHeart Media's hit podcast Stuff Mom Never Told You. She lives in Atlanta.

Table of Contents

Author’s Note

Introduction

Chapter 1: Battle of the Sexes

Chapter 2: The Pantsuit

Chapter 3: LGBTQ

Chapter 4: Reproductive Rights

Chapter 5: Disability Rights

Chapter 6: Rape Kits

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Sources

Editorial Reviews

05/15/2023

Reese and McVey expand on their podcast of the same name in this energetic yet somewhat chaotic illustrated debut history on intersectional feminism. Focusing on notable women of color and covering big picture topics like the civil rights movement and reproductive rights, each chapter begins with an intentionally discouraging “what-if” comic and narrative, describing a world in which milestone achievements had not occurred, then launches into stories of actual progress and the activists who made it happen. Also included in each section are extensive sidebar discussions of inspirational athletes, actors, and fictional characters, such as Star Wars’ Princess Leia and Olympic sprinter Wilma Rudolph; personal journaling by each of the authors; and an activity section that ranges from paper doll cutouts and crosswords to ideas for ongoing activism. Fans of the podcast will find that the authors’ upbeat voices and high energy come through on the page, and readers who like to address political issues through engagement with pop culture and fandom will appreciate the thoughtful connections made here. However, readers more experienced with feminist intersectionality might find this a bit too elementary and jumbled for their taste. This works best for young people new to the topic. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

07/14/2023

Reese and McVey, cohosts of the popular podcast, Stuff Your Mom Never Told You, have now written a book. On their show, their camaraderie, energy, and goodwill are apparent as they look at a number of key people, issues, and events in recent feminist history. The free-wheeling conversational tone of a podcast, however, doesn't always transfer well to print. The authors are disarmingly honest about the challenges they faced in writing this book, which offers short historical facts. The arbitrarily selected topics don't seem to cohere, however, and it's unclear who the target audience is. Parts of the book's structure, such as the table of contents, are also confusing. A highlight of this book is its plentiful and useful imaginative features, such as a time line of major events in women's history and pithy quotes from visionaries, such as Shirley Chisholm, that are scattered throughout this title. The book's feminist crossword puzzle is quite intriguing and amusing as well, but some readers may not like the cutout paper doll and clothes that were meant to illustrate the pantsuit revolution. VERDICT A well-intended title for general, maybe even younger readers, but not a priority purchase.—Ellen Gilbert

Library Journal