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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
informative
medium-paced
Glorious. Nobody has a command of language like Natalie Angier. She’s like a master chef who peppers her prep with knife tricks and tosses, not because they’re necessary, but because they are so easy and fun for her. It seems like every paragraph has a linguistic gem, and that’s just frosting on the already amazing content. This book is thorough, fascinating, and an absolute joy to read.
(Previous review: I'm halfway through and have been reading it for a year. I don't know what's taking so long because it is glorious. I think it should be required reading in Health classes in high school. =))
(Previous review: I'm halfway through and have been reading it for a year. I don't know what's taking so long because it is glorious. I think it should be required reading in Health classes in high school. =))
I liked this book and I think I learned a lot. For me, the shortcomings are that the metaphors are often way over the top and there are lots ranty bits that are more about the authors personal opinions than about anything scientific or objective. It deals with a huge variety of topics, from oddly varied perspectives: biological, sociological, evolutionary, anecdotal. A lot of it is about women's reproductive health, seen from the perspective of a middle aged woman. So nothing about birth control and lots about estrogen replacement treatments.
I read this for a science/gender studies course. This was the most enjoyable textbook I've read this year. This book breaks down the science of Women's bodies while debunking myths about how our bodies work. The main focus is around the reproductive system. I'll probably read it again.
adventurous
informative
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Such a good go-to book on the biological power of womanhood. And as someone who's simply not a science gal but loves this book, you know it must be good...
I really wanted to love this book because a lot of people I admire in the women's health space recommended it. However, this book feels like it belongs to another time - a time when it was no doubt revolutionary to write a book that gave such detailed and thoughtful attention to (continuously) under-researched aspects of women's health, but also a time 20+ years ago so some things have changed (though unfortunately not much in way of women's health being adequately invested in and researched).
While the topics of the book are interesting, it felt challenging to read it in 2023 because it fails to acknowledge intersectionality in many places and the way it talks about gender feels outdated. And honestly, I found the writing style painful and overly self-indulgent, when clear and simple language would have been much more enjoyable to read. But I also can't not acknowledge that this book was undoubtedly important and ahead of its time, and I do feel grateful to Angier for writing the book when she did. Would love to see an updated edition that is more aligned with the evolving conversation around gender, sex and our intersecting identities.
While the topics of the book are interesting, it felt challenging to read it in 2023 because it fails to acknowledge intersectionality in many places and the way it talks about gender feels outdated. And honestly, I found the writing style painful and overly self-indulgent, when clear and simple language would have been much more enjoyable to read. But I also can't not acknowledge that this book was undoubtedly important and ahead of its time, and I do feel grateful to Angier for writing the book when she did. Would love to see an updated edition that is more aligned with the evolving conversation around gender, sex and our intersecting identities.
This book took me some time to sink into. Angier's writing style is chock full of five dollar words and references to literature, pop culture, and history. It is also breathtakingly lyrical. For the first few chapters, her exhortions seemed over the top, but either she settled down or I embraced it because I found myself really enjoying her enthusiasm as I progressed.
Angier has a wry humor and often writes sarcastically, relying on the reader to pick up on the sly tone.
The book focuses on female biology--organs, hormones, and "evolutionary psychology" all take starring roles. I learned lots of new information and even more probably went in one eye and out the other. Refreshing takes on the whole "men are providers, women are faithful" stereotype and biological fundamentals I'd never picked up anywhere else. (Did you know your Fallopian tubes are free to roam your bodily cavity? That your uterine lining is made up of three distinct layers, which is why you can still menstruate while pregnant and not miscarry, the zygote implants at the deepest level.)
Angier has a wry humor and often writes sarcastically, relying on the reader to pick up on the sly tone.
The book focuses on female biology--organs, hormones, and "evolutionary psychology" all take starring roles. I learned lots of new information and even more probably went in one eye and out the other. Refreshing takes on the whole "men are providers, women are faithful" stereotype and biological fundamentals I'd never picked up anywhere else. (Did you know your Fallopian tubes are free to roam your bodily cavity? That your uterine lining is made up of three distinct layers, which is why you can still menstruate while pregnant and not miscarry, the zygote implants at the deepest level.)