Table of Contents

Introduction; Prologue: the re-emergence of the "woman question"; The great divide: the politico-feminist schism; Breaking away from the left; Varieties of radical feminism -- redstockings, Cell 16, the feminists, New York radical feminists; The eruption of difference; The ascendance of cultural feminism; Epilogue

Reviews

The women's liberation movement that began in 1967 is an absorbing study in political struggle. Radical women rejecting male dominance also rejected conventional political and organizational techniques. Their consciousness raised, they scrutinized each step, each meeting, each action, seeking theory and political practice untainted by patriarchal or hierarchical elements. Echols traces the volatile history of this movement, explaining clearly the positions of the various groups, the reasons for splintering and division, the controversies. She shows how ideas emerged that have changed American attitudes and assumptions. If we are still debating the relative importance of gender, class, and race, combating the power of capitalism and patriarchy, this valuable study shows that the discussion owes much to the radical feminists who hewed out the outlines of these issues.-- Mary Drake McFeely, Univ . of Georgia Libs., Athens