<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: Superb book for feminists of all sexualities
Review: A heterosexual feminist ally, I picked up this book at the suggestion of a friend, and was entranced by the premise of the book and meticulously researched evidence. Precisely because they were not bound by unintended pregnancy (which continued to be a problem until the early 70's)Lesbians were the vanguard of the women's movement on everything from equal employment to the vote and birth control, and had an obligation to work towards policies that would benefit all women regardless of sexuality. Granted some readers of the reviews will decide that this book attempts to glorify lesbians at the expense of straight women, but I have read this book repeatedly and simply find the truth as it existed in historical context. Faderman simply points out the important role that Lesbians have played---a contribution that gets over shaddowed in many straight women's and gay men's focused history books.
Rating: 
Summary: Thick Read, But Worth the Effort...
Review: I was very excited when I discovered this book. I looked forward to reading about the women who, without their struggles, I could not be where I am today. Believe proved to be a duanting task. It was what would be called "heavy reading", but if one pushes through the lenghthy and at times dry paragraphs, one discovers wonderful stories about the lives of women who helped define this country. I have read arguments that the women discussed in the book were not lesbians, but merely living livestyles, nonsexual lifestyles, prevalent to women of that era, and that Faderman did not present strong enough evidence to support her claims that these women were in fact lesbians. Faderman does take an assumptive aproach to the material, granted, and the title of the book alone, puts the reader in a frame of mind when reading the personal accounts. However, when all is said and done, one can not, in all honesty and while practicing any good judgement or common sense, believe that letters written between women which include, "I would give most anything to hold you right this second" or "We are a model for our married friends", are not of homosexual origin. More importantly though, are the contributions these women made to the fabric of this country, and the importance their services had in shaping America today; regardless of their sexual preferences.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Reminder of the VALUE of women
Review: in our country. For lesbians, to be reminded that sisters took the first steps to freeing all women, to straight women who need to remember that we are all the same under the jeans... I couldn't help but be struck with an intense understanding that all the freedoms so far won for women began with a group of women willing to be unique in a world that doesn't celebrate individuality. A bit "dry" in places, still a valuable book for people to understand humanity at a new level.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent addition to my bookshelf
Review: Lillian Faderman is, hands down, THE best researcher and writer of lesbian American history EVER. I own a copy of all her books; each gets better than the last. And this one continues the trend -- it is simply wonderful. A great read and an important historical document.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent addition to my bookshelf
Review: Lillian Faderman is, hands down, THE best researcher and writer of lesbian American history EVER. I own a copy of all her books; each gets better than the last. And this one continues the trend -- it is simply wonderful. A great read and an important historical document.
Rating:
Summary: one of the best books i've read in years
Review: the reviewer who gave "To Believe" two stars is actually looking for another book, not the one faderman wrote. her "evidence" is thorough and well written. the women she writes about reasonably well rounded characters given space considerations. as a lesbian i have to say that i am thrilled to death to have a book like this on the market and can only hope that straight folks everywhere read it.
Rating:
Summary: Truly Amazed
Review: We need to hear these stories. We need to tell these stories to our daughters. In my opinion, the important thing is not the sexuality of the woman at the center of the story -- it's the life she led. I don't want to be remembered primarily as gay or straight (that's nobody else's business but mine), but as somebody who accomplished something I believed in. And I'd wager that these women felt the same way.
<< 1 >>
| 
