The Invisible Woman: Confronting Weight Prejudice in America

Rating:
Summary: Empathy
Review: From the first page of the introduction I felt I was reading about myself. I sat up all night until the sun rose to finish this wondrous book. Large nearly all my life, I felt vindicated at last. While I still don't like what I see in the mirror I know now that the dislike is culturally generated; it comes from without rather than within. I'm in the process of taking my body- and my life- back, and I have Goodman's book to thank for it.

Rating:
Summary: Depressing!
Review: I found this book a really depressing read. Really, really depressing. I'm not saying that a lot of what the author is saying here is wrong, it's not. Most of the content is stuff everyone could benefit from reading and realizing (especially the bits concerning the connection of sexism and the beauty/diet industry). But the constant "society hates fat people because x, y, z", the "us vs. them" mentality throughout most of the book (despite her protestations that it's not an us vs. them situation towards the end), and some of the comarisons being more than slightly skewed on scale makes for a depressing read that leaves little hope for changing anything, within or without.

The book would have benefited more from a writer who wasn't trying to be so controversial instead of practical. I live with the negative reality, I'm more interested in positive solutions.

Rating:
Summary: Previous reviewer explains reason for this book
Review: I'd like to ask that previous reviewer a question: if we all did what he said and lost five pounds, how exactly would that make our opinions more valid? That's actually what this painfully well-written book is all about: the persistent prejudice in our culture specifically aimed at fat women. Any woman who tries to speak out against this, to say that perhaps our body weight isn't a character flaw, that perhaps we should be judged by the "content of our character," is subject to ridicule and scorn. This book is difficult to read because it is so true, and for that reason, it *must* be read.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening!
Review: This book was quite a find for me. The author tells it like it is and doesn't hold back. She explains what it's like to be fat and edure the nasty remarks and terrible attitudes toward people who are socially or medically considered overweight. Even though the writing is emotionally charged, the author's research is thorough.

Rating:
Summary: In Regards to "An Observation"
Review: This book was wonderful. I highly recommend it. As for the so called reviewer who titled his review "An Observation", I would like to point out one interesting fact... Every single one of the women he so rudely comments on had the pride to leave their names and information on their reviews and yet you left yours off. Gee I wonder who has more to be ashamed of.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening!
Review: This book was wonderful. I highly recommend it. As for the so called reviewer who titled his review "An Observation", I would like to point out one interesting fact... Every single one of the women he so rudely comments on had the pride to leave their names and information on their reviews and yet you left yours off. Gee I wonder who has more to be ashamed of.

Rating:
Summary: Raging Against the Machine
Review: This is a fabulous book. It stokes the fire inside anyone sensitive to the issue of Weight Bigotry & the Oppression of People who are Fat. It made me angry- not a directionless anger but one that is motivating and powerful. The author paints a shocking picture about where the hatred of fat people has developed. She places side by side quotes by Anti-Semites and members of the Diet & Health Industry so that the awful truth about weight bigotry can be exposed. She looks at the oppression of woman & the treatment of those woman who fought for woman's rights, and compares it to the current treatment of the large woman. Ms Goodman has written a book that should be essential reading to every woman- not just fat woman. In fact its a great 'feminist' work. It is clear & easy to read. The subject matter flows from one chapter to another. 'The Invisible Woman' was a joy to read. It gave me the power to be able to dissect the comments made by those who attempt to keep the fat woman out of mind & out of sight, and then to confront them with the absurdity of their beliefs. Read this book. You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: The Dirty Truth about America
Review: This is one of the best books I've read so far that analyzes weight prejudice. Goodman does an excellent job exposing the myths and discourse about weight in the United States. It is also a good read for anyone wishing to learn more about prejudice in general, as she compares the discourse of Anti-Semitism, and German Anti-Semitism especially, to America's discourse on weight from the past several decades. There are also comparisons to other forms of prejudice as well. Anyone doubting the validity of similarities between weight prejudice and Anti-Semitism will be converted after reading this book, and I believe that is largely because Goodman is herself Jewish, and therefore intimately familiar with both forms of prejudice. She also details the common discourse used as excuses for prejudice by what she terms "weight bigots." You'll see what I mean if you read the Amazon review titled "An Observation," as this person's (undoubtedly a man's) comment is just the kind of language she refers to in her book (and I highly doubt he'd even bothered to read the book). I've read many books on culture, world religions, and prejudice, and I would say that Charisse Goodman's book definitely ranks up there with the best of them.

Rating:
Summary: The Dirty Truth about America
Review: This is one of the best books I've read so far that analyzes weight prejudice. Goodman does an excellent job exposing the myths and discourse about weight in the United States. It is also a good read for anyone wishing to learn more about prejudice in general, as she compares the discourse of Anti-Semitism, and German Anti-Semitism especially, to America's discourse on weight from the past several decades. There are also comparisons to other forms of prejudice as well. Anyone doubting the validity of similarities between weight prejudice and Anti-Semitism will be converted after reading this book, and I believe that is largely because Goodman is herself Jewish, and therefore intimately familiar with both forms of prejudice. She also details the common discourse used as excuses for prejudice by what she terms "weight bigots." You'll see what I mean if you read the Amazon review titled "An Observation," as this person's (undoubtedly a man's) comment is just the kind of language she refers to in her book (and I highly doubt he'd even bothered to read the book). I've read many books on culture, world religions, and prejudice, and I would say that Charisse Goodman's book definitely ranks up there with the best of them.