A fantastically important and thoughtful book about how sexual assault and sexual harassment play out in the fields of law, the arts, and sports. Her arguments are at once logical and shocking. I highly recommend this book and suspect many feminists will use it as both inspiration and playbook.

I can't wait to bring attention to this book when I get to see my volunteer group at the local domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center. They love books like this that can help them and survivors learn more. I thought this addressed the problems with sexual abuse and sexual harassments in all arenas was eye-opening.

Martha Nussbaum offers an insightful and passionately written condemnation of our culture of toxic masculinity. Her examination of the 'citadels' of law, arts, and sports, illustrate the pervasive nature of the problem in the fabric of our society. Identifying the fragile male ego at the heart of much of the gender based violence and discrimination is a direct and necessary shot across the bows of critics who attempt to extricate male behaviors from the experience of gendered violence and discrimination. I think this text works particularly well alongside Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists"

*Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This book is not easy read, due to the serious subject matter, but it is absolutely a necessary one and is incredibly powerful. Martha Nussbaum explores subjects of sexual violence, abuse, and harassment of women and how they are related to the pride of those who commit these crimes. She focuses on three major 'citadels of pride', law, arts, and sports and and how pride of masculinity becomes absolutely toxic when given so much power and control.

She makes some strong statements throughout the book but backs them up with facts and the reality facing women. I found myself repeatedly muttering "YES" and "THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT" in agreement with her solutions to these problems. She hits the nail on the head so many times and isn't afraid to call things as they are - even if some of her solutions are not going to be popular among many people (especially the sports crowd).

There were times while reading that I just needed to get up and pace, spurred on by frustration and anger at the injustice of it all. But Nussbaum is clear that her intention is not simply to incite anger and hatred, but instead to work past that to achieve real lasting change. She doesn't just lay out all the negatives of the situation - she gives her own ideas as to how to change these problems. And I really appreciate her inclusion of all the work that has already been done to better the laws and take away the power from those that abuse it. It can be really easy to focus on how much more there is to do, but we also need to acknowledge and celebrate what has already been done. This book will want to make you cheer for those who have already worked so hard, ignite a passion to do more, and fight against the poison of toxic masculine pride.