Queer Theory, Gender Theory : An Instant Primer

Rating:
Summary: Another must-read from Riki
Review: Riki has done it again with this new book, which
tries to unravel the Gordian knot of identity politics in the
arena of GLBT activism. There's a heavy dose of postmodern
theory here, but it's made understandable by examples from
Riki's life and from the life of GenderPAC. If you're going to
talk or do politics at all in the context of GLBT, queer or
intersex issues, you truly need to read this book; it will
help you think clearly.

Rating:
Summary: Not an Academic Tool
Review: This is a good book for activists, and trans theory beginners who are looking for a light amount of academic relativity to trans-activism. The book had great potential to serve as both an academic and activist tool, but falls severely short on the academic side. It lacks any serious academic quality through it omissions of references and footnotes for all of the textual and historical information cited. Further, a vast majority of ideas and theories in the book are really just Riki's own musings and do not make use of any of the pre-existing valuable critques of the authors and works she analyzes, which is a disappointing ommission.

Those who are irritated by Riki's constant promotion of GenderPAC through all of her work, will find the same situation in this book. All of this is not to say that there is not good ideas or content in the book, as there certainly are, but the ideas don't seem to be all that different from Riki's previous works, or speeches.