I was so excited for this book however, it fell a bit flat for me. The book was a bit hard to follow, it's likely because of the long list of names and the long-winded nature of the narration. Phyllis Chesler did so much good in her life but the book doesn't quite match that.

A overly-self-referential memoir whose brash and judgemental tone brought darkness, internalised-misogyny and racist undertones to a life and a movement that propelled the world forward on its journey towards equality. And isn’t that always the issue with the ‘classic’, ‘original’ white cishet members of the feminist movement? That they’re always better as an idea rather than an actuality? I respect and admire Phyllis Chesler for all that she has done to make the path I tread a little easier; but, just not for some of the views she expressed in this.

I love the title of this book! The author's stories of the women that created the freedoms that I enjoy as a woman today were inspiring. I loved reading about how far woman have come and about the women who made it possible for us to be treated equally in the workplace and outside of it.

I'll hold my hand up to start with, I picked this book up mainly because the sub-title caught my eye, I'd never actually heard of Phyllis Chesler but born in the 1940s New York she has an incredible journey to share, and her new memoir A Politically Incorrect Feminist doesn't seem to hold much back.

More than anything, I found this book genuinely interesting; it wasn't always the most thrilling or compelling read but it was always interesting. Chesler was there to witness and play a large part in a part of feminist history I (embarrassingly) know very little about, so I am glad I've read it. It definitely accessible, I went into this pretty blank and didn't feel like I was missing out by not being her number one fan.

There are a lot of names in this book, for people who have follow Chesler's career or been around during the times she's describing they may well be familiar to you but I found it quite confusing at times. There was also what felt like hundreds of references to her many previous works, obviously she's written a lot of books and they have been a massive part of her life and career so it can be expected that they'll come up but it started to feel a bit repetitive with the phrase "In my book..." appearing in every other paragraph; I ended up giving this three stars as I was quite lost in places.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Phyllis Chesler for an ARC copy of the ebook for review. As always, an honest review.

My rating is actually 2.5 out of 5 stars, but since there isn't half stars I always round up.

I jot down notes while I read books, things that I want to remember for later to write my book reviews. For this book I had such conflicting notes written that I had a hard time figuring out what I thought overall. But it comes down to these two things. Number 1: I appreciate and respect the advances the author made in the feminist movement. Number 2: I disliked the tone the book was told with. Too angry and judgmental.

Starting out with the positives, because we could all use a little more positivity in our lives. The author's voice is strong, clear and powerful. There's no mistaking who she is and what she stands for. Her book tells her story as a feminist over the years, working to make things better for others. Looking back on how our society used to be for women makes me extremely grateful for the feminists before me. All the hard work they put in allows the women of today to have the rights we do. I learned a lot about feminist history in the U.S., especially when it pertains to the author's life story.

However, the tone of the book makes it much less pleasant to read than it could have been. There's a lot of judgment and anger. It's understandable given the circumstances, but it doesn't appeal to me. There's also a lot of information, and it can be a bit too much at times. Maybe if your'e extremely familiar with feminist history, this won't be the case for you. Also more of the book than I would like was the drama between the feminists. Not my cup of tea.

Overall Phyllis Chesler did a lot of good in her lifetime, but the writing feels angry and unapproachable. Informative, authentic, but not for me.

Okay, so this title INSTANTLY had me intrigued. Be honest, who isn’t interested after reading that title!? My only critique would be that while this was most definitely a very strong and empowering voice to read, I found myself on multiple occasion sort of shying away from the aggressiveness of this book. It very much focuses on how you have to be LOUD to be a feminist and I sort of wish it had included the many ways that exist in making a difference. (However I do understand that this is one woman’s experience, and that at the time be LOUD was truly revolutionary.) So that being said, I did REALLY enjoy these stories! Hearing first hand account retellings of the women who fought for the acceptance and equality that I enjoy today was truly a pleasure!

Review: (Not so much a review as a Opinion Piece mixed with a Review)

I have very strong review about Feminism. I believe Feminism started to give women a choice but today it seems to have taken on a different voice. Where the women who choose say to stay home and raise a family is looked down upon by those who choose a the work force Vice versa. I have found the word Feminist or Feminism to be almost a curse word depending on the circle of friends I belong to while others cheer and hold strong to that name.

I decided to review this book because I wanted to full understand what a person who was around for the beginning of feminism and what she has seen and witness.

What I enjoyed was the Authors ability to see men as part of Feminism as they helped women worked side by side women. She deadicated this book to men and women.

The author makes it very clear this book isn't about the Rise or Second Rise of Feminism it is about a daughter of working poor immigrants and she hopes it will help and guide others.

Phyllis Chesler covers everything from her childhood to being help captive in Kabul in the 1960's and what she witnessed during her time.



"Sisterhood is Powerful." That is a strong statement when all sisters are willing to listen to one another view and accept that they might not always agree but will still be sisters. However I have learned that is not always the case and very experienced it many times myself.

A Politically Incorrect Feminist is an interesting history from he view point of Phyllis Chesler. While I don't agree with everything she has to say I can't doubt the experiences she has lived and the women she has fought for.



The reason for 3 stars is she focuses on the voices of women fought loudly, with violence and doesn't focuses on the woman who fought quickly and within their homes and with their little girls like my mother did.



(My sisters Have Masters Degree in Education, Phd in Education, Lawyer, and a Dietitian. While I might not have a degree my voice is no less quite and my knowledge no less equal to their when it comes to the experiances of life.



As someone who was raised by a stay at home mother who told her 4 daughters they could be anything they wanted to be. She showed me how to be strong fight for what I know to be right while still being a woman and respecting those around me whether Males or Female. I was raised to respect women who choose different from the decision I choose. I had a job at the age of 12 and had a many different jobs until my first child turned a year old. At that point I had to make a decision. I wasn't a great employee and I wasn't being a great mom either. I knew I had to choose and it wasn't easy for me. I finally decided to stay at home. I have 4 children and I am raise my boys to respect women and their authority and I am raising my girls that they can do and be whoever they want to be.



Feminism gave women a choice. When we make that choice we become part of a sisterhood but in that sisterhood we need to respect those who decided differently from us. I am raising a my children to be respectful men and women. My boys will open door for everyone and my girls will open doors for everyone and they will all do it with respect of those around them. Men and Women are not equal but we have the ability to use our difference to become equals in the world. A man isn't above a woman and a Woman isn't above a Man. When we do that we fail as a society.